FAQs
Overload
An electrical overload is a situation where the electrical load in the house plus the electrical load of the charger exceeds the safe operation of your electrical system. To prevent this, Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) needs to be used.
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DLB
Dynamic Load Balancing requires a special sensor (CT Clamp) to monitor the load of the house. When the load of the house gets high due to electric showers, ovens, heaters, etc., the charger will automatically reduce the charge rate. Then, when the house load comes down to a safer level, the charge rate will automatically increase.
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Surge Protection
EVs are very expensive due to their electronics, batteries, and electric motors. A voltage surge on the grid due to lightning or other factors can send an erroneous voltage into your car. Here, your car's electronics and batteries can be damaged or destroyed in one second. To prevent this, an SPD (Surge Protection Device) needs to be installed.
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Earth Rod
For the SPD to work correctly, your earth rod needs to be installed correctly and operate correctly. Therefore, the testing of your existing earth rod is essential.
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Earth Bonding
Earth bonding is the connecting of your copper pipe work in your hot press to your earth rod and earthing system. This too, is a critical safety test that needs to be done as part of your installation.
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RCBO (A) and RCBO (B)
RCBOs are devices that protect humans from electric shock and also protect your cables from overload.
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A 6m RCBO is a safety device that prevents DC back-currents from travelling from your car batteries back into your home electrical system. These DC back-currents can prevent your home RCBOs from working correctly and therefore must be prevented.
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RFID
RFID security tags are special electronic keys that prevent and lock out others from using your charger. Your charger cables plug connected to your car will only disconnect from your car when your RFID key is operated by you.
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Socket or Tethered?
There are two types of chargers - socket and tethered.
Most tethered chargers come prewired with a heavy-duty cable and plug. Usually, this is about 6 to 7 metres long. The socket version is a socket only and this allows you to plug in your own custom cable that can be up to 25 metres long. This is ideal where you need to install the charger at the back of the house but charge your car at the front of the house. It keeps the charger out of sight as many people consider chargers a little unsightly. Socket chargers are cheaper than tethered chargers.
Smartphone app
Many chargers can be set for plug and play. i.e. Just plug them in. You can, however, use a smartphone app to set various charging times such as middle of the night off peak charging. A good WIFI signal at the charger location is essential.
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Charge Rates of Power
Superfast chargers at petrol stations and shopping centres can have very high charge rates up to 100KW. Batteries don't like to be charged at such high rates, and it's believed that slower charge rates will extend the life of your batteries. Home chargers charge typically at around 7.5KW and this is much more favorable towards protecting your batteries.
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Meter Tails
Meter tails are the cables that run from your ESB meter to your fuseboard. Years ago, this cable was 6mm. This later increased to 10mm and then to 16mm. Many new installations are 25mm. The legal minimum for an EV charger is now 16mm, so this will need to be checked. Under sized meter tails increase the risk of overload and thus the risk of fire.
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Emergency OFF Isolator Switch
An emergency off isolator switch needs to be legally installed within 1 metre of the charger. In the event of an emergency, this will allow instant switch-off of the charger should something go wrong. The isolator has a facility to connect a padlock to lock off the charger
in the off position.
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Testing of existing fuse board
As part of your new EV charger installation, I will test your existing RCD safety device which protects your socket outlets. I will also test your electric shower RCBO device and will do earth loop impedance tests off your existing earth system.
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Testing, Certification and Grant Paperwork
It is a legal requirement for your EV charger to be fully certified, and a test record sheet issued. Should something go wrong at a later date, your insurance company may request a copy of your test and certification paperwork. Currently, the SEAI grant for a home EV charger is 300 euros. Only SEAI approved chargers qualify for this grant. All quotes include grant installer paperwork. Grants must be approved by SEAI prior to installation. See www.seai.ie for more information.
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Warranty
All chargers come with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.
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References
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