Nak
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Mike
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2020
- Threads
- 10
- Messages
- 441
- Reaction score
- 524
- Location
- Camas, Washington
- Vehicles
- Tesla Model Y Performance, Tesla Model 3, 1992 K1500 Blazer
- Thread starter
- #1
I've installed two 240v wall mounted chargers. No, it's not difficult if you know what you're doing. IF. There are a number of code issues that need to be followed. Following code is important if you don't want to burn down your house or electrocute somebody. If you do it yourself, get a permit and get it inspected. Most jurisdictions allow you to do your own electrical work. The inspection is a cheap way of insuring you did everything right. ***IMPORTANT*** If you make an error in the installation and your house burns down, insurance WILL NOT cover your loss!!!!
Most houses these days the electrical service panel (circuit breaker panel) is in the garage. That usually makes it pretty easy to install a charger. The first thing you need to do is determine if your service can handle the extra load that your charger will require. I am not going to describe how to do this; if you're going to attempt this it's important you research this fully. Second, you need to see if your panel has room for an additional 240v breaker. (They're double wide breakers.) Even if you don't see any empty spaces, don't give up hope. Most panels allow a certain number of tandem circuit breakers. (A standard width breaker with two breakers instead of one.)
Next you have to decide if you are going to run conduit or run the wires in wall. Believe it or not, it's usually easier to cut out drywall and then use the cut piece to patch the wall after installation. Drywall work isn't really that hard. Plan your run. How many chargers? Are you sure you want just one? If might ever get a second EV, it's a lot easier doing all the wiring at once. Even if you don't want to buy a second charger, you could always just install a 240v outlet in it's place. Then down the road it would be easy to install that second charger. This will make your life a lot easier if you ever do get a second EV, and it will add value to your house.
Before you start, do your research. What are code requirements for securing the wire? How big does the conduit need to be? Will you run 2 or 3 conductor romex? What gauge will you use? how will you transition into and out of the conduit, the outlet boxes, the charger, the service panel? what are the grounding requirements for your install? These are all questions you need to not just know the answers to, you need to know why. Common sense does not cut it. Code does. For instance, my two Tesla wall chargers require a network cable run between them so they can talk to each other. No big deal right? It's a low voltage application, any comm cable will work, right? FAIL. You just burned your house down. Communications cable run in the same conduit as power cable MUST have the same insulation rating as the power cable, usually 600v. Finding 600v rated comm cable is very difficult; I could only find it in two online shops. (Amazon was not one of them.)
Long story short, every detail of your installation is covered by code. Every. Tiny. Detail. Do your research. Get a permit. Get your install inspected. Don't burn your house down or electrocute somebody.
Most houses these days the electrical service panel (circuit breaker panel) is in the garage. That usually makes it pretty easy to install a charger. The first thing you need to do is determine if your service can handle the extra load that your charger will require. I am not going to describe how to do this; if you're going to attempt this it's important you research this fully. Second, you need to see if your panel has room for an additional 240v breaker. (They're double wide breakers.) Even if you don't see any empty spaces, don't give up hope. Most panels allow a certain number of tandem circuit breakers. (A standard width breaker with two breakers instead of one.)
Next you have to decide if you are going to run conduit or run the wires in wall. Believe it or not, it's usually easier to cut out drywall and then use the cut piece to patch the wall after installation. Drywall work isn't really that hard. Plan your run. How many chargers? Are you sure you want just one? If might ever get a second EV, it's a lot easier doing all the wiring at once. Even if you don't want to buy a second charger, you could always just install a 240v outlet in it's place. Then down the road it would be easy to install that second charger. This will make your life a lot easier if you ever do get a second EV, and it will add value to your house.
Before you start, do your research. What are code requirements for securing the wire? How big does the conduit need to be? Will you run 2 or 3 conductor romex? What gauge will you use? how will you transition into and out of the conduit, the outlet boxes, the charger, the service panel? what are the grounding requirements for your install? These are all questions you need to not just know the answers to, you need to know why. Common sense does not cut it. Code does. For instance, my two Tesla wall chargers require a network cable run between them so they can talk to each other. No big deal right? It's a low voltage application, any comm cable will work, right? FAIL. You just burned your house down. Communications cable run in the same conduit as power cable MUST have the same insulation rating as the power cable, usually 600v. Finding 600v rated comm cable is very difficult; I could only find it in two online shops. (Amazon was not one of them.)
Long story short, every detail of your installation is covered by code. Every. Tiny. Detail. Do your research. Get a permit. Get your install inspected. Don't burn your house down or electrocute somebody.
Sponsored