There is plenty of information online helping EV buyers choose which home charger will best suit their needs. (We have a comprehensive post on the topic here!) However, when it comes to learning how the installation of these chargers is carried out, there is a notable lack of information online. No doubt, you will want to know exactly what the EV charger installation requirements are, and how such an installation will affect your property. We’re here to solve this problem for you, with a comprehensive series of posts on the EV charger installation process. This post will explain how the cable can be routed from your fuse board or electricity meter or electricity meter to the charge point, depending on their location. of these.
Useful EV Cable Tips
Cable Size and Appearance
Before going through the different methods of routing the EV charging cables, there are a few points to keep in mind. You might think of these cables as small and discreet, like the lighting cables you will find in your house. However, because the cables carry so much current, they are thicker than you would expect. They are about the size of a hose pipe. This is something to be kept in mind when discussing where the cables will be routed, so that they can be installed as discreetly as possible.
Cable Routes from the Fuse Board or Meter
The cabling will almost always need to run directly from a suitable fuse board or electricity meter to the charge point, it can’t be spurred off an existing circuit. In most propertied the electricity meter and fuseboard are located very close to each other, either in the same cupboard or on opposite sides of the same wall but in other properties the fuse board may be quite a long way away from the meter. We can normally install from either the meter location or the fuse board location, whichever is the best/neatest option but we can of course talk through the specifics for each install as needed.
Securing and Routing EV Cables
Another important tip to keep in mind is that the cables need to be properly attached to something in order to be installed properly. This means that if you’re EV charger is away from the wall of the house or garage, the cables might need to go underground. This is often the case if a new supply is required to a detached garage as often a typical garage supply that powers a few lights and sockets is not suitable for a car charger circuit.
Installing Cables Underground
If the cable does need to run underground then a suitable trench will be required that must be 40cm deep when crossing soft or unmade ground. Don’t be worried about this though, as our team of experts will be able to help you find the best route for your cables in any case.
Every Installation is Unique
The last tip to keep in mind is that the following methods of EV charging cable installation are only meant as a guide. Each case will be different and require a unique approach. Our team will work with you to find which method best suits you, to give you the most discreet and unobtrusive cable routing possible.
Cable Routing Methods
If your electricity meter is outside the property or against an external wall, the routing process is simple. The cable can be drilled through the wall and then run discreetly along the outside of the house to your desired charger position. The cable can be run at ankle height or up towards the eaves. Nothing complicated about it!
If your electric meter is in the middle of your property, away from an external wall, there are several possible options for running the cables outside. The first option is to run the cables under the floor, which is possible if you have floorboards that can be lifted. This can often be done relatively quickly and should not cause you much disruption albeit it does all depend on what we find under the boards, some properties have a large void and others are very shallow which makes routing the cables tricky.
If under the floorboards isn’t an option e.g. you may have a solid floor or under floor heating then the cable can sometimes be run upstairs through the first floor, this takes a bit longer and requires a bit more disruption but there is normally a way! Finally, they can be run in surface mounted trunking to neatly conceal the cables throughout their internal run. When running through the walls, the cables may need to be placed in prescribed zones. This isn’t a problem, but it is useful to know that running the cables in your desired direction might not always be possible. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, and we will help you find the neatest and least obtrusive cabling route.
Now, you should have a good idea of which cable routing methods will work best for your property. If you want to learn more about EV charger installation requirements or the installation process, then don’t hesitate to get in touch today.