Have you recently thought about having an EV home charger installed for your home? If you have recently made the switch to an electric vehicle, or are considering it, you may have come across the phrase “UK-compliant installation”.
In this blog post, we will go through what is meant by this term and what makes one installation compliant compared to one that is not. If you are a homeowner who is considering the switch to an electric vehicle and the installation of an EV home charger, this blog will run you through everything you need to consider before doing so.
Why Compliance Matters?
Before going any further, it is worth knowing why compliance is a big factor in the installation of your EV home charger. They draw a lot of power from the grid, run for long periods of time and are often installed in places where the temperature changes and they can be exposed to different weather conditions. A compliant installation of an EV home charger ensures:
- Your home’s electrical system can safely handle the load of an EV home charger
- The charger operates efficiently and works as it should
- You are protected from any potential electrical faults
- The installation of your charger meets UK safety laws
- Your home insurance remains valid after the installation
- You avoid any potential future problems if you come to selling your home
Wiring Regulations (BS 7671)
BS 7671is effectively the ‘bible’ of electrical installations in the UK, every electrician knows and understands it and must follow it when installing an EV home charger for your property. Some of the key requirements they must follow include:
- Dedicated circuit – An EV home charger must be connected to its own circuit and not clash with other home appliances.
- Residual Current Device (RCD) protection – The charger must have the correct type of RCD to protect against any electrical faults if something did go wrong.
- Cable sizing – The cable from the EV home charger must be the right size for the load and distance from the consumer unit.
- Safe routing – The cables from the charger must be installed in a way that avoids damage and meets the correct depth and protection requirements.
The Electric Vehicles Regulations 2021
These regulations were put in place to ensure that EV home chargers that are installed for your home or workplace offer all of the smart features. This includes scheduling charging, reducing load during peak times, communicating securely, and updating software remotely. A compliant EV home charger must meet these smart feature requirements to be considered a ‘compliant’ EV home charger installation.
Building Regulations
The installation of your home EV charger must be carried out by a professional and someone who has all of the correct qualifications. Our professional installers are all qualified and ensure a high-quality result when installing your EV charger. You should never attempt to install an EV home charger yourself; it isn’t just unsafe it is illegal. There are too many factors that can go wrong safety wise that can affect you or your home negatively.
Manufacturer Requirements/Installation Requirements
Every EV home charger has its own installation guidelines. The installers must follow these requirements to ensure that the charger is safe and works efficiently for your home. These requirements include:
- The mounting height of the charger
- Ventilation
- Cable entry points
- Maximum cable lengths – This is key to ensuring there are no safety problems
- Required protective devices
Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Notification Rules
The DNO is the company that manages the electricity within your local area. When you are having an EV home charger installed, the DNO must be notified of the installation. We handle this for you as part of our process after you purchase one of our home chargers. This is a very key step to ensure that the local network can handle the additional load of an EV home charger installation for your area.
Common Issues That Make An Installation Non-Compliant
On the other hand, there are some cases where not every installation meets UK standards. Some installers may try to cut corners, and many homeowners are not aware of what to look out for. Some of the common problems are as follows:
- Having the charger installed on a shared circuit with other home appliances
- Incorrect RCD type
- The cable is too small for the load type
- The cable being exposed to potential harsh weather conditions or being run unsafely across paths or driveways
- Not notifying the DNO of your EV home charger installation plans
- Having the charger installed in an unsafe location, where it is exposed to changing temperatures and poor weather conditions
- The consumer unit overloading
Conclusion
Overall, if you have made the switch to an electric vehicle or are planning to, having an EV home charger installed is very beneficial. However, there are many different rules and regulations that the installation process must follow. After this blog, you should now understand what makes an EV home charger installation ‘UK compliant’. When all of these requirements and rules are followed, you end up with a home charger that is safe, efficient, and built to last a long period of time. Taking the time to understand compliance is one of the best things you can do; it allows you to be able to choose the best installer and ask the necessary questions if you are unsure about anything.
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 7kW smart home EV charger.
Go directly to our Website and Press Buy Now, order your charger directly, including free delivery and a site Installation Survey.
You will then send a comprehensive installation fixed price quotation, and we will then take care of DNO requirements and Building Regulation sign-off compliant paperwork on successful completion of the installation. Guarantees: 3 years EV Charger Only. 5 years EV Charger and us fitting.
