Owning an electric vehicle in today’s world is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. They are cleaner for the environment, quieter and in some cases cheaper to run in comparison to petrol or diesel cars. The real convenience and benefits come from having an EV home charger installed, as it saves you time and money. However, like any piece of technology, your home EV charger can get damaged or start to not work as efficiently as it should. If you can spot the signs of your charger needing attention early on, it may save you additional costs later down the line if your charger becomes worse.
In this blog, we will go through some of the most common signs that your home EV charger might need some maintenance or repairing, so that you can keep your charger working to the best of its ability.
Slower Charging Than Usual
This is one of the most clear and obvious signs that something may not be right with your home EV charger. If a full charge suddenly takes a noticeable amount longer than normal, then there may be a problem with the charger’s internal components. Alternatively, if the cable from the charger to your vehicle has been bent, twisted or exposed to rain this could lead to it not being able to work efficiently.
Frequent Charging Interruptions
During your charging session, if your electric vehicle starts to charge and then keeps cutting out repeatedly, this usually points to a problem. Loose connections within the charger can cause intermittent power delivery to your vehicle. As well as, any damaged cables or plugs could trigger a safety cut-off, where your home EV charger feels it is no longer safe to continue charging your vehicle at that time. If you find yourself constantly having to check whether or not your vehicle is charging, then you should have it checked by a professional. A reliable EV home charger should deliver steady and uninterrupted power efficiently to your vehicle.
Visible Wear and Tear
This may seem obvious, but many people overlook this and just assume that everything is fine. You should visually inspect your charger and cables every so often just to make sure everything looks ok. Keep an eye out for any cracks in the casing, any frayed wires or any scorch marks caused by any overheating. Any small cracks can allow moisture to get into the charger, which in turn can cause greater electrical problems later down the line. Your home EV charger is dealing with high voltage electricity and power; any visible damage should be taken seriously and acted upon.
Unusual Noises or even Smells
A well-functioning EV home charger should work efficiently with minimal sound. Any sort of buzzing, humming or clicking sound should raise a caution. As an EV home charger owner, you should not ignore these sounds or smells, as they are usually the first sign towards a potential problem.
Error Messages and Warning Lights
Most modern EV home chargers come with indicator lights or even a remote app on your phone that shows the charging status and can alert you if something is not quite right. Regular error messages or lights that you have not seen before, are designed to alert you before what could just be a small issue, turns into a big one.
Car Refuses to Charge
Sometimes a potential problem is as obvious as you plug your charger into your vehicle, and nothing happens. The best way to test this is, if your car charges fine at public charging stations, then your home EV charger needs repairing or replacing. The most common causes of this are a faulty connector, a blown fuse or in some cases it can be a deeper electrical fault.
Tripping Your Home’s Circuit Breaker
If when plugging in your vehicle to charge your home’s circuit breaker is tripping, this is a very clear sign of trouble. This could be because your EV home charger is drawing or trying to draw more power than it should. It could also be due to any faulty wiring within the charger. Repeated power trips can cause damage to your home’s electrical system and leave you with no power at all, so ensure that you do not ignore this.
Age and Heavy Use
Even if your home EV charger seems fine, the age and constant use of the charger can start to have an effect on its performance. If you can get access to regular maintenance checks this can be beneficial, as you can catch any issues before they become worse or cause a breakdown.
Tips:
- Keep you EV charger clean as well as the cables
- Check that the plugs and sockets are secure to avoid loose connections
- Protect the charger and cables from harsh weather conditions
- Pay attention and do not ignore unusual sounds and smells
Conclusion
Overall, there are many signs that can occur pointing you towards the fact that your home EV charger may need care or attention. By keeping an eye out for sings such as slower charging, interruptions during charging, overheating, visible damage or any strange noises or smells, you can usually catch the problem with your home EV charger before it becomes worse and create an even bigger issue. If you show attention towards your charger now it can save any additional costs later down the line, if you have to keep calling a professional out to come and fix the issue.
If you are looking to buy an EV home charger, take into consideration all the things we have discussed in this blog and make the right choice.
If you wish to purchase an EV home charger, please look at our website where you can find all the information you need about our EV home charger.
https://evhomechargeruk.co.uk/product/7kw-smart-home-ev-charger/
Go to the top right menu bar, shop and you can order your charger directly from there.
