Five top tips for selecting the right domestic charging device for your EV
When selecting a domestic charging device for your electric vehicle (EV), there are certain factors to be considered, among them make and model of vehicle, electrical resources of your property, and features of the device. Check out Plugit’s five top tips!
Our aim at Plugit is for each customer to find a charging device suitable for their needs. We will be happy to advise you on your choice of device.
1. Find out how long it takes to charge your vehicle
Some electric vehicles (EVs) charge up quicker than others. The charging speed depends on the size of battery/batteries, but also on the size of the battery charger fitted inside the vehicle. The plug-in hybrids currently on the market generally charge at a capacity of 3.6kW (with the exception of a few models). The size of the inbuilt onboard charger in fully electric vehicles varies from 3.6–22 kW. In short, the larger the battery charger in the car, the more current transfers to the battery, and the quicker the car charges.
If the size of your car’s battery charger is 3.6 kW, you can also charge it with a more powerful charging device, but the maximum charging speed is 3.6 kW per hour.
Correspondingly, if the size of your car’s battery charger is greater than 3.6 kW, the car will charge at the maximum capacity rate which has been set on the charging device. A vehicle will charge at 3.6 kW per hour on a charger with 3.6-kW capacity, even if the battery charger capacity is greater.
You will find references to charging rates of different makes and models of vehicle in the specific car makes menu in our online store.
2. Check the correct type of charging plug for your vehicle
Vehicles on the market are equipped with one of two different types of socket.
The Type 1 standard is used, for instance, in Nissan and Mitsubishi plug-in vehicles.
The Type 2 standard is used in European vehicles and in Teslas.
The advantage with the encased model charging device is in its suitability for charging all car makes, with the aid of a separate, car-specific charging cable.
Vehicles on the market are equipped with one of two different types of plug.
If you want to select a charging device equipped with a fixed cable, it is important to check the suitability of the cable to your own car. The benefit of a fixed-cable charging device is that it is easy to use, since the cable is always ready.
3. Check the car manufacturer’s recommendations
Many car manufacturers make their own recommendations of charging device. For new cars, using a charging device other than that recommended by the car manufacturer could result in nullification of the warranty on the car.
Contact Plugit for more information on charging device recommendations.
4. Consider which features and accessories you require
A fault current guard switch is an essential element in charging device installations. Some devices, such as the ABL Sursum, are already fitted with such. If there is no fault current guard in a device, one should be added to the installation. It is installed in the electrical distribution cabinet, in the device, or separately encased next to the device, as appropriate.
The fault current guard switch is there to protect the user of the charging device from the risk of electric shock, and to prevent fires. The functioning of the switch should be tested at least twice a year.
The energy meter is a useful accessory if you want to verify the amount of energy consumed in vehicle charging. An energy meter is fitted in almost all charging devices that are installed for residents of housing company, so that electricity consumption can be invoiced per occupant, per consumption. An energy meter may sometimes also be necessary for charging company cars. The energy meter is an interesting accessory for occupants of a one-family house, too: knowing the price of electricity, it is easy to calculate the euros spent on car charging compared to the price of a tank of petrol.
Some devices have an integrated energy meter. In other cases an energy meter can be installed in the electrical distribution cabinet, or encased beside the cabinet or the charging device.
A load management component such as Schneider Electric’s accessory for charging devices, controls the electricity load of the property, and when necessary gives a command to the charging device to reduce the current.
5. Consider the future, too
Of the plug-in vehicles currently available on the market, many take on current from one phase only. Thus it is reasonable to select a 1-phase charging device for such a plug-in vehicle, and as it is sufficient to meet the present charging needs.
However, many electric motoring enthusiasts are of the opinion that they will purchase plug-ins cars also in the future, and so they want to ensure that the device has the capacity to charge those cars, too. For this reason a considerable number of charging device buyers order a 3-phase device at the outset, eliminating the need to exchange it when the time comes to change car. A charging device can typically be installed as 3-phase at a one-family house, but before ordering your device it is a good idea to discuss the matter with Plugit, as it may be necessary to carry out a charging method survey on your property.
We at Plugit are happy to assist you in selecting the right charging device. You can reach us quickest on our website chatline, but there are also many other ways to contact us. Choose the one most convenient for you!
