Charging an EV safely from a household socket at home
- 5 min reading time
You can absolutely safely charge an electric vehicle (EV) using a standard / regular household wall socket at home - but there are very important safety considerations you should know. Keep reading to learn more.
Before buying a Level 1 charger make sure the socket / outlet you are going to use is safe to use and the charger is good quality. In this blog we will give you important tips and things to look out for before you buy a home EV charger.
Key Features to look out for when buying a Level 1 Portable EV Charger
Is the charger certified to meet electrical safety standards?
Buy an EV charger with certifications and check it complies with electrical standard and local laws in your region. Certifications to look out for include CE (Europe), UL and FCC (USA) and RCM mark (for Australia and New Zealand).
Built-In Safety Features
The charger should also have built in safety features like overheating, surge protection, overcurrent protection along with RCD (Residual Current Protection), the more built in safety features on the table the better.
Selectable/ Adjustable Output Current
A charger that allows you to control / select the output current is a very handy feature. This means the charger can be connected to older or newer circuits while maintaining a safe level of current draw. I.e You can set the output current to match the circuits maximum power you are connecting the charger which will help mitigate against electrical hazards and tripping circuit breakers.
Remember the chargers output current should be set to no more than 80% of the electrical circuits maximum load.
Safety considerations when plugging an EV charger in a household socket
EV chargers are high power devices, they put a continuous high load on the socket whilst charging.
Old housing may have old wiring & sockets that are not designed for continuous load high-power devices. Wiring & sockets can overheat, melt & catch on fire if excessive loads are connected beyond what it can safely manage.
The Electrical Code requires that continuous loads do not exceed 80% of an outlet's or circuit breaker's rating for safety. Avoid safety hazards and/or circuit breakers tripping by setting the charger output current to no more than 80% of your circuits maximum available power.
The outlet/socket you are connecting the charger should be:
- Modern and undamaged (not old)
- Firm and not loose.
- Not discoloured, cracked, or has any visible signs of damage.
Avoid using a household outlet/socket if:
- the wiring is old;
- the outlet is loose or discoloured;
- the circuit trips or
- the socket gets hot during use.
NEVER use Extension leads. Extension leads:
- are not rated for continuous load;
- can coil up and overheat;
- can lead to an increase voltage drop;
Warning: Extension leads are a common cause of EV-charging-related fires.
If your outlet is old or questionable:
- Visually check the wall socket to ensure it is not cracked, damaged or has any signs of deterioration. If you have any doubts do not use the socket.
- If the socket is hot STOP charging immediately.
If charging outdoors:
- Keep the charger’s control box off the ground.
- Ensure the socket is under cover (IP-rated outlet)
- Do not charge during heavy rain if the socket is not protected.
Never plug the charger into:
- multi-plug adaptor / double adaptor
- power board
Warning: Regular Adapters and boards can melt under sustained high load.
When using a dedicated (not shared) socket for EV charging, it needs to:
- Use a properly rated breaker and
- have an RCD / safety switch protection
This avoids tripping or overheating your home wiring. Avoid setting the charger current to more than 80% of the maximum circuit rating.
If you are unsure about your socket, circuit rating and condition, speak to a qualified electrician before using the charger.