Electric cars are more popular than ever and in many cases there is a waiting time for those who want to buy a new EV. Many who are in the process of switching to an electric car also want to create the right conditions for charging at home. Therefore Charge Amps have put together answers to common questions relating to installing a charging station.
In many countries it is not forbidden to use the normal wall socket and it can be good in emergencies. But normal wall sockets are not made for long frequent use and it can generate a lot of heat which could damage the equipment and in some cases result in a fire. Therefore, authorities do not recommend frequent charging of your EV from a regular wall socket.
Most often it is no problem. When you install a charging station you involve an electrician who ensures that the right conditions are in place. In some cases you might make some adjustments depending on the output of the charging station, but this is not something you have to deal with, rather it is handled by your authorized installer.
The effect you choose depends on which output your electricity grid can offer and also on which output your car can handle. You can install a charging station that can handle a stronger output than your electric car, to future-proof your purchase and get something that lasts for many years. With Charge Amps Halo you get 11 kW and with Charge Ams Aura you get 22 kW, resulting in quick charging and future proof capacity.
A starting point is the connection on your electric car. Most likely it is a type 2 connection, which nowadays is standard in Europe. Charge Amps also offers solutions for those of you who need a type 1 connection.
Some charging stations are delivered with a fixed charging cable and some with a socket where you can choose the cable yourself. The benefit of a fixed cable is that you do not need to get your own cable everytime you charge. In some situations though it can be beneficial to have a socket, for instance if you have EVs with different types of connections at home, or if you need an extra long cable.
Some charging stations have one socket and some have two. The benefit of having several sockets is that you can charge several electric cars at the same time. Load balancing ensures that your electricity grid does not overheat, even when you charge several cars simultaneously. Several sockets can also be beneficial if you have guests who would like to charge their EV.
If you choose a charging station that is made from durable material, you can choose to have it in the place that suits you best, regardless if it is indoors or outdoors. Ensure you place it close to where you plan to have your electric car. It can also be good to choose a charging station with a clean design, so it looks good in relation to your house.
Load balancing recognises the power usage in all of the house and adopts the output to prevent the electric grid from overheating. It also makes it possible to focus the charging of your EV to those times of the day where the power usage in the house is lower.
There are a number of factors that are important to consider. One is about choosing a charging station with a clean design that looks good over time. One is about choosing a charging station made from durable material that lasts for a long time. But it is also about choosing equipment that is easy to use and has software that is updated throughout the years.
This is different from country to country, but most countries nowadays offer some kind of subsidy when you install a charging station at home.
