Installing A New EV Charger In Your Home

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So you are now the owner of a spanking new EV. If you are lucky enough to own a landed property, you’ll want to install a home charger.




Do read up on the various types of EV chargers. In Singapore, you will be restricted to a Type II AC EV charger domestically, as you don’t get a type I or “granny cable” with your EV. 


DC chargers are expensive and overkill for home use.


The LTA website has comprehensive info on the type of chargers, and a list of approved chargers: 

https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/industry_innovations/Technologies/Electric_Vehicles/PDF/Guidelines%20for%20the%20Supply%20of%20EV%20Chargers.pdf


Some cars include the cost of the charger in their price, others require you to buy your own. Nevertheless you will need to engage the distributor or seller, and also liaise with their contractor to install it. You can also go on your own, but beware that the installer, the charger and all the associated gear must adhere to the strict LTA guidelines. 


As part of the installation, there will be a site survey, and it’s very important to walk through the process, and details matter. Where are you going to put the charger is only the beginning. The exact height, the handle position ,the isolator etc all matter. 


Firstly, charger position.

Now almost all the chargers are at least IP 55 or higher in rating and are meant to be used both indoors and outdoors, so there’s no fear of electrocution.
Consider where is the charging port on your car. For example, if it is at the front, will you park head in or locate the charger near the head of the car if you park rear in first?

Then also think of the distances. Most chargers are 5 to 7.5m long and you need a bit of free play to reach the port.
As part of the install, you will need a separate isolator next to the charger, so thing of where the cables emerge from, how the cables run and the entire ergonomics of reaching for the charger. Eg you park the car too close to the side, and you can’t reach the charger, that will be a poor design. 


Second, the cable run

Where is your main DB located? The charger requires it’s own DB, which is usually sited next to the main one.



You can consider putting a new DB near to the mains at the gate post, then put the charger at the front of the home as an alternative, otherwise most cable runs will involve bashing or trunking. 

So plan for an EV in your new home, so the cables can be laid in the false ceiling or even in the walls. I would suggest cable runs in the ceiling with access panels to check in case of damage, say from rats even.  Then walk through with the contractor exactly how the cable will run, and you may encounter structural beams and other parts of the home that you can’t just drill through. So if you install it in an existing home, it is almost inevitable to have some trunking, and planning how it runs will minimise the change to the aesthetic feel of you home.

Consider heat, safety and also durability in your runs, and how easy is it to access or repair if needed. 



Third, the cable itself.

Now ideally, get a 32A capable cable. The RCB will be a 40A one, so it allows you to install the maximum 22Kw AC charger. Couple this with a three phase line and you will have the most powerful charger possible. You could charge your car to 100% in under 4 hours.

However if your home isn’t wired for triple phase, you can consider it or settle for a 7kw setup, which is much slower. Try to future proof your home and get the most powerful if you can.


Now, you might consider sharing the power cable with a light switch or tapping it for a power socket adjacent to the charger. This is not allowed. LTA is pretty strict and they have a certain set of rules for installation. 




Also check, if you happen to have a three-phase power at home (or indeed your business property), then you'll need to check if your electric car is physically capable of handling faster speeds above 7kW.


When you get the installer to come, these are Licensed Electrical Workers (LEW), and will know the ins and outs, but make sure your home is capable of delivering the power needed.


Typically an installation takes from about 9am to about 3.30pm and I would suggest you take leave to monitor it, because the running of the cable and the exact site of installing the charger unit is very important and should not be left to chance. Otherwise get the installer to take lots of pictures during the process.


Also understand there is a lot of dust, and you will need to wash your driveway, clean the fingerprints and even repaint the ceiling. A good installer will get the job done well, and not leave a mess behind.



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