Electric Vehicles

EV Charger Connection Guide for Residential Customers

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  3. EV Charger Connection Guide for Residential Customers

Power Up at Home: Your Comprehensive Guide to Residential EV Charging

Thinking about charging your electric vehicle at home? This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started, ensuring a safe and efficient charging setup. 

 

Step 1: Research Level 2 Charging Stations and Understand Your Needs

Location:

  • Consider the placement of your vehicle's charging port (typically rear driver's side or front driver's side) and your parking habits (nose-in or backing in). 
  • If you park outdoors, choose an outdoor-rated charger and ensure the cable doesn't cross sidewalks, which may violate bylaws. 
  • Generally, the charging station is mounted at torso height or slightly higher. 
  • Choose an area that is uncluttered and easily accessible, ensuring the charging pistol can be returned to its holder without difficulty. 


Daily Energy Needs:

  • Estimate your daily driving energy use. As a rough estimate, you might use around 13 kWh for a 50 km daily commute. 
  • Example:  A truck with a 98-kWh battery and a 386 km range uses about 13 kWh for a 50 km daily commute. In winter, this might double to 26 kWh due to heating needs. 
  • Calculation Example:  (Battery Size in kWh x Daily Commute in km) / Vehicle Range in km. For the example above, (98 kWh x 50 km) / 386 km ≈ 13 kWh. [Note: we will display this as an actual equation]. 
  • Remember:  In the winter, this energy requirement might double due to heating needs. 
  • Charger Type:  Explore different chargers, considering cord length, maximum output, and additional features. 


Step 2: Contact a Qualified Electrician

  • Get Multiple Quotes:  Obtain quotes from several electricians to find the best price. 
  • Inspection:  Your electrician will inspect your electrical panel to assess its capacity and code compliance, checking both physical space and electrical capacity. 
  • Code Compliance:  The electrician must follow the Canadian Electrical Code. If your panel can't handle the load, consider an upgrade or an Electric Vehicle Energy Management System (EVEMS). These systems manage the load by pausing charging when other high-power appliances are in use or by monitoring your home’s overall consumption moment by moment. 
  • Permits:  Either you or the electrician can obtain the necessary electrical permit before starting the installation. 
  • Resource:  The Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta is a good resource to find a qualified electrical contractor: http://www.ecaa.ab.ca/


Step 3: Begin the Installation

  • Installation:  The electrician will install the wiring, make any needed modifications to your electrical panel, and set up the charging station. 
  • Inspections: 
    • Rough-in Inspection:  An electrical inspector will conduct a rough-in inspection to check the initial installation. 
    • Final Inspection:  A final inspection will be required to ensure everything is up to code. In some cases, the rough-in inspection will also serve as the final inspection. 
    • Corrections:  If the installation doesn't pass inspection, the electrician will need to make the necessary corrections and schedule another inspection. 
  • Energization:  Once everything is approved, your EV charger will be ready to use! 


Sizing Your Charger 

  • This depends on your daily energy needs, and the time your vehicle is connected to the charger. 
  • If your daily winter energy requirement is 26 kWh and your vehicle is connected for 11 hours overnight, you need a charger that provides at least 2.3 kW. A 2.3 kW charger requires ~10A on your home electrical panel (15A circuit breaker), which is practical for most homes. This ensures that the charger can deliver the necessary energy within the available time without overloading your electrical system. Although, you may want to consider adding a buffer to account for unordinary situations (ex: you only have five hours to recharge occasionally). Also, consider reserving electrical capacity for potential home improvements in the future. 
  • Example Calculation: Daily Winter Energy Requirement in kWh / Vehicle Connection Time in hours. For the example above, 26 kWh / 11 hours ≈ 2.3kW. [Note: we will display this as an actual equation]. 
  • Disclaimer:  When determining your charging needs, consider not only your daily commute but also occasional trips. A charging station size of about 7.2 kW is common and provides a good balance between charging speed and electrical capacity. 

Frequently Asked Questions