What’s involved in an EV charger installation?
Every home is different, but a professional installation typically follows these steps:
1. Electrical Capacity Assessment
Before any installation, I assess your existing electrical system to determine whether your home has sufficient capacity to support EV charging.
This includes:
-Reviewing your service size and panel configuration
-Identifying existing major electrical loads
-Confirming available breaker space and wiring routes
I perform formal electrical load calculations to determine how much capacity is truly available.
This step is critical because it:
-Ensures the installation is code-compliant
-Prevents overloading your electrical system
-Identifies whether upgrades or load management are required
Load calculations allow informed decisions — not guesswork.
3. Solutions if Capacity is Limited
If your panel does not have sufficient capacity, there are multiple options — and a full panel replacement is not always the first step.
Depending on your home, solutions may include:
-Load management devices
-Circuit reconfiguration
-Service or panel upgrades (only when necessary)
Once capacity is confirmed:
-A dedicated circuit is installed for the charger
-Wiring is sized correctly for continuous EV loads
-The charger is mounted and connected safely
-All work is completed to current electrical code
5. Permits, Inspection, and Final Testing
The installation includes:
-Required electrical permits
-Coordination with inspection authorities
-Final testing to ensure safe and reliable operation