Electric vehicles (EVs) have become an increasingly popular option, so much so that homeowners are adding electric vehicle chargers to their homes. Charging an EV at home can be safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. This gives EV owners the opportunity to charge their vehicles while they’re relaxing at home or while they’re sleeping.
Any homeowner who is considering adding an EV charging station to their home or already has one installed should prioritize understanding safety protocols and how to use these chargers correctly. Our team at Potts Electric is ready to help homeowners with setting up and using home EV chargers safely and effectively.
Ensure You Have the Right EV Charger
There are a few different points that you have to look into when you’re trying to decide what home EV charger is best for your needs. These include:
- Battery capacity: A larger EV battery requires a more powerful charger.
- Charging speed: Higher kilowatts can provide faster charging.
- Daily commute: Daily driving distance determines how often and long charging is required.
Those three bits of information can help you to determine what type of charger is needed for your vehicle. There are two types of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that are suitable for home use.
Level 1 chargers use a standard 120-volt household outlet. They provide around 2 to 5 miles of range per charging hour. It can provide overnight charging for short commutes.
Level 2 chargers need a 240-volt outlet, which is what’s used for ovens and dryers. It can provide 10 to 60 miles of range per charging hour. This is the most common EVSE for home use.
There’s also a level 3 charger, which is also known as a DC fast charger, but it’s not commonly used for residential applications. These are costly and have higher power requirements, so they are more commonly used for commercial charging stations.
Determine What Energy Options and Features You Need
Installing and using an EVSE can significantly increase your home’s electric bill. There are several options that may help you to reduce this impact. Determining these before the installation is important.
Consider options like smart chargers, which monitor and schedule charging to take advantage of off-peak rates, and energy management systems that optimize energy usage and monitor consumption in real-time. Solar panels can provide clean energy for the EVSE, lowering electric bills, and battery storage for solar can store solar energy, allowing you to charge your EV at night.
Many electric companies offer special green programs and other incentives for people who have electric vehicles. Contacting your electric company may help you to find out if you are eligible for any of these.
Safety Starts With Proper Installation
An EVSE isn’t a do-it-yourself project because of the electrical system upgrades that are needed. These must all comply with local building codes, so working with an electrician from Potts Electric is critical.
Our electrician will assess your home’s electrical system to ensure it can handle the additional load of the EVSE. The EVSE needs a dedicated circuit so that it won’t overload the home’s system. The circuit must be properly grounded, clearly labeled, and within compliance of all applicable building codes.
Adding an emergency shutoff for the EVSE is beneficial. This emergency disconnect should be easily accessible in case there’s a problem and all electricity needs to be turned off to the EVSE. The shutoff can allow you to keep power to your home even though you need to turn it off to the EVSE.
Once the electrical system is ready, the installation of the EVSE can begin. This is typically placed near the driveway or in the garage. It will need to be placed on a pedestal or mounted on the wall. Ensure the EVSE and all related equipment are certified by a well-known safety standards organization, such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL).
Our electricians will connect the charger to the electrical circuit and ensure everything is secure and insulated. One safety feature that should be considered is a ground fault circuit interrupter or a surge protector to help minimize the risk of electrical hazards.
Basic Safety Tips for Using the EVSE
You shouldn’t ever try to change the wiring of the EVSE, including plugging it into a different outlet. It’s critical to only use the dedicated circuit because overloading other circuits can lead to catastrophic electrical issues, such as a fire.
Purchase a Class C fire extinguisher and have it installed near the EVSE. This can provide a first line of defense against a fire if one occurs and could help contain it until the fire department arrives. Ensure you understand how to use the fire extinguisher because time is of the essence if there’s a fire.
Never try to use an extension cord to connect the EVSE to the outlet. The outlet and EVSE must be close enough to each other so the EVSE can be plugged in directly.
Regular inspections of the charging equipment for signs of wear and tear must occur. Frayed cables, signs of damage, and loose connections are all signs that the EVSE should be put out of service until it’s repaired.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using the EVSE. You need to review the EVSE manufacturer’s instructions and the electric vehicle’s instructions. Never try to force the charger into the port because that can damage these components and cause problems with the electrical system.
Consider adding a cord management system to your EVSE. This can help to prevent tripping over the cord. It can also reduce the chance of the cord being inadvertently yanked, which could damage the system.
Location-Based Safety Tips for Using the EVSE
If your EVSE is outdoors, ensure that you don’t try to connect it to your EV in inclement weather. Rain, snow, and electrical storms are dangerous conditions for trying to charge an EV. The EVSE should have a weatherproof enclosure, such as one rated IP54 or NEMA 3R, to protect the components. A cover or canopy can help to prevent damage from direct sunlight.
If the EVSE is in a garage, you need to ensure that you have smoke detectors in the garage. Be sure that you check the batteries often so you know that it’s in good working order. Additionally, you must be sure that there’s proper ventilation. These units get hot as they charge, so there must be space around it for airflow. Overheating can lead the EVSE to catch on fire or fail.
Contact Us for More Information
The team at Potts Electric is prepared to help you get an EV charger installed at your Kansas or Missouri home. We know that safety is a priority, and we’re here to ensure the job gets done properly. We can also take care of electrical system maintenance for your EVSE in the Overland Park, KS and St. Louis, MO areas. Our team provides a full range of additional electrical services as well, including smart home setups, wiring upgrades, and electrical panel installations. Give us a call today to learn more and schedule your appointment.
