Tips to Charge an Electric Car without Overloading your Panel
Electric vehicles are now more common and affordable than ever. Once you become the proud owner of an electric car, you enjoy driving a car with zero tailpipe emissions. That means you get a vehicle that contributes to a cleaner and greener environment. Electric cars have instant torque, which means the driver has power right at the fingertips. Once you hit the accelerator, there is an instant response and speed surge from the vehicle. That’s why these cars are perfect for city driving.
Benefits of Owning Electric Cars
As new technologies continue to launch at a rapid rate, the automation and safety features of electric cars continue to develop. According to consumer reports, the average EV battery’s lifespan is nearly 200,000 miles. That translates to seventeen years of use when you drive the vehicle for 12,000 miles per year.
However, the biggest benefit of owning an EV is that you no longer have to pump gas. Car owners can add a charging station to their homes to get the most out of their vehicles. Simply charge the vehicle within the comfort of your home overnight while you enjoy a peaceful sleep. But, there are some concerns that every EV owner must consider ensuring complete safety while charging an electric vehicle.
In this guide, we are going to offer a brief overview of how to charge an electric car without overloading your panel. Whether you have a Tesla Model 3 or a Porsche Taycan, here is what you need to know about charging it safely and how an electrician Vancouver can help with EV charger installation.
Charging Options for your Electric Car
The time an EV will take to charge depends on the current level of battery charge, the size of the vehicle’s battery, and the charging point’s speed. Three basic types of chargers are available: 110-volt, 220-volt, and high-voltage chargers. While the first two types are ideal for home applications, the third type needs a more sophisticated infrastructure found in commercial and public locations.
Electric vehicles need less maintenance than traditional diesel and gas-powered cars. Car owners don’t have to worry about fluid lines, filters, and oil. There’s just one thing to remember. Don’t charge an electric vehicle up to 100% because it will affect the longevity of the electric car. Typically, Tesla cars charge up to 90%.
As a rule of thumb, most electric car owners don’t charge their EV fully each day. For that reason, topping up with a basic 110-volt charging station is all they need. But when you are using a 110-volt charger, it can take anywhere from 15 to 20 hours for your battery to get fully charged. If your usage is heavier, the chances are that you will need faster-charging options.
A crucial factor that can diminish the lifespan of an electric vehicle’s battery is using level 3 fast-charging stations. Although these stations are capable of charging a vehicle up to 80% in half an hour, they can overheat the battery, affecting its longevity.
What are the Three levels of EV Charging?
In ideal conditions, you can add 3 to 4 miles of range per hour, with Level 1 charging. For example, if you have a Chevrolet Volt (a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV) with an electric range of 53 miles, it would charge within 13 hours. However, a Tesla Model 3 Long Range will take a few days because of its 330-mile range.
The more power a charging station provides, the faster it will charge your electric vehicle. Here are the three levels of EV charging.
Level 1: When you opt for Level 1 charging or a 120-volt outlet, the electric vehicle takes a long time to charge. That’s a perfect option if you park your electric car for several hours or don’t travel too far.
Level 2: That’s the most common installation method for businesses and homes, providing faster charging than level 1.
DCFC or Direct current fast charging: It’s ideal for charging on long road trips because it is a fast charging method. However, DCFC is more expensive in terms of installation and maintenance.
Electric car owners or people who purchase an electric vehicle usually opt for a level 2 charging station at home. Unfortunately, a large percentage of electric car owners observe that their pane is overloaded.
What does it mean? In simple words, this means that the demand calculation with an EV goes beyond the capacity of your electric panel. A licensed and trained electrician Vancouver can help you in this case.
Homeowners should also consider the most appropriate outdoor spot for installing the charging station. Choose a spot where the wires can run safely, and the station is weatherproof.
How to Avoid an Overloaded Panel
Here are a few ways to prevent overloading your panel.
Upgrade to 200A Capacity
Electric car owners must have at least 200 Amps at their meter. In case an owner’s current electrical panel is below 200A, the best option is to get an upgrade from professional electricians. Installing a 200A panel means you have sufficient space for installing an EV charging station without going beyond the permissible electrical demand space.
There may be exceptions when you have equipment that is high kW rated. For example, if you have a hot tub, pool, or steam sauna at your home. But for most EV owners, a 200A has sufficient room for an EV charger. It can be an expensive option, but the overall cost depends on the region where you live.
Most contractors get everything done in a day or two with limited disruption. Since this upgrade gives an electric car owner a lot of power, it is one of the most popular options for preventing an overloaded panel. It’s not a DIY project, so you should contact our electrician Vancouver for this upgrade.
Install a Load Miser Device or a Distribution Control Center
Such a system will take care of the additional EV demand and not affect the overall demand calculation. The DCC-10 measures the total amount of current the panel currently demands. If the panel exceeds 80% of the allowable demand, the EV charging circuit shuts off effectively. The EV charger circuit can resume charging as soon as the DCC measures the current demand is less than 80%.
The DCC-10 negates the requirement of a service upgrade. Plus, the load of the EV charger does not add to the overall demand calculation. Hence, the device prevents the panel from being overloaded. Don’t settle for a cheaper service upgrade and choose a professional and reliable EV charger installation service.
Install an ATS or MTS
Decommissioning a sauna and a baseboard heater for storage could save some power in your overall demand calculation. When you decommission a circuit, it means you remove the wires from the panel to put them into a separate junction box. That is one of the most affordable options but needs a few hours of work and a professional installation job. So, you need to hire a trained electrician Vancouver who can do the job efficiently.
When decommissioning option is not convenient, install an MTS or ATS, which electrically interlocks with other large electric devices or a dryer. That will reduce your demand calculation to make some more room for an EV circuit. You have to switch the live circuits manually via a switch in case of an MTS and automatically through similar electronics as the DCC-10 for the ATS. The cost of an MTS is less than an ATS, but the price fluctuates depending on the manufacturer and size you choose for your situation.
Every situation is different, so homeowners must choose the best option for their needs. Only a qualified electrician Vancouver can tell you whether there is a need for an expensive upgrade.
Schedule an EV Charging Station Inspection
All electric vehicle owners must schedule frequent maintenance checks to make sure the system delivers exceptional performance. Regular checks also prevent any significant harm, which could cost homeowners a fortune in the long run.
Kato Electrical provides affordable and professional services so the charging station can provide optimal performance. Our electricians have the prerequisite training and experience to help homeowners maintain their charging stations. Get in touch with our team to get the best EV charger installation services that suit your budget. We can help you choose the best upgrades or available models according to your budget and charging needs.
Get the Best EV Charger Installation Services from Kato Electrical
If you are looking for expert and reliable EV charger installation services in Vancouver homes, Kato Electrical offers customized solutions for everyone. Our expert and qualified staff guarantee a smooth EV charging station installation process. We also provide top-quality charging station maintenance services, so you don’t have to worry about overloading your panels.
Contact us today and dial 604-243-1913 to learn more about the different types of electric vehicle charging solutions available. You can also submit a query by filling our web form. Our expert team of trained electricians guarantees exceptional performance. Let us know your expectations, and we will give you an overview of all the available choices.