Level 2 EV chargers differ in the following ways:
For more information, please visit EraCharge.
Your car has an onboard charger that can receive electricity at a certain amperage. That metric also defines at what speed you will be able to charge your vehicle.
Typically residential home EV chargers are 16A, 24A, 32A, 40A or 48A. The higher the amperage the faster the charge. Some of the chargers, including Grizzl-E Smart charger can be adjusted to a maximum output of 16, 24A, 32A or 40A.
With the common 40A charger you would be able to reach 9.4kW power, and it would take less than 5 hours to charge your Ford Mach E (SR AWD) from 20% to 80%.
The National Electrical Code has a special safety requirement for the breaker to have higher amperage than the charger. It is called the 25% rule. In a nutshell, it means an electrician should install a breaker that has 25% more amps than the charger.
It is also important that an electrician chooses the right wire size for the installation. To install a NEMA 14-50 outlet for your 40A charger, an 8 gauge cable is required. However, a hardwired installation of a 48A charger requires a 6 gauge cable which is more expensive than an 8 gauge alternative.
The majority of electric vehicles in the US use an SAE J connector as a standard. This is maintained by SAE International under the formal title “SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler”.
However, Tesla has its own plug. However, if you have a charger with a J connector, you can use a special adaptor, compatible with most Level 2 home or public charging stations. The Tesla J Adaptor supports charging speeds up to 19.2kW.
There is no standard for the charging cable length, although 20+ feet is commonly considered the average. In most cases it is not advised to use any extensions. If you want your charger to be installed outside on an exterior wall, and 20+ feet is not enough, you might be advised to install a charger on a pedestal, closer to your vehicle’s parking place.
Electric vehicle chargers can be either plugged into the outlet next to a charger or hardwired. Hardwiring means that the charger has a cable that goes directly to the electrical panel. This mostly depends on the charger and its amperage. A charger of 40A or less usually plugs into an outlet. Common outlets are NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 6-50. A hardwired installation is more common for charging at 48A and over.
Some people prefer a 40A charger over a 48A hardwired charger installation because of three main factors:
People also divide chargers into smart and dumb. A smart charger is a charger that has a built-in connectivity device which can be connected to the internet through WiFi, 4G, Bluetooth, or Ethernet (some chargers are WiFi only, or WiFi and 4G only).
Therefore, the full benefit of a smart charger can be utilized if it can be connected to the Internet. An Internet connection is required to access the charger using Open Charging Point Protocol (OCPP) and to operate it through any software. Most charger management applications allow you to control the charger via your mobile , set charging timers and use a number of other features.
Dumb chargers have no connectivity. Even though they are considerably cheaper, you will not be able to control your dumb charger and apply smart features that most EV drivers enjoy.
It is as safe to charge your car outdoors as it is indoors. Although for outdoor charging, you should read your charger’s technical specifications to be sure that its base is water-resistant, and it can be operated in a temperature range of at least 22F to 122F, or whatever temperatures are needed based on your home.
Perplexed about EV charging cables? The availability of electric vehicle charging cables in the market makes it all the more confusing when selecting the right cable.
You have just entered the common problem: getting ready to use your electric vehicle, but the question of how to charge an electric car at home is confusing most people. Well, don't worry! The present article is dedicated to helping you out with the nuances of choosing the right EV home charging cable.
Whether you want to know the best length of cable for where you park your car or just save a few quid with a Type 2 to Type 2 cable, we have the answers. So, get yourself prepared for the best.
Well, before we tell you whether you will need type 2 EV cables or not, it is better to know how you can pick out the perfect EV home charging cable that would cater to your needs.
This decision will affect your EV's charging experience dramatically, including its charging speed and also the user's convenience in plugging in at home.
Here are a few to consider:
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Type 2 EV Charging Cable.
In the first place, you should know about the types of connectors that are there. The type of connector needed for your EV differs from one car make to the other.
For instance, although other standards like Type 1 are also in existence, especially in older models or in other regions, most modern electric cars will use a Type 2 connector in Europe. Compatibility between your car and the charging cable is very crucial.
Another aspect to consider is the length of the charging cable. It should be long enough to reach the EV from the charging port without the cable being taut.
Think of where the EV will be parked relative to the charging station. A longer cable gives more flexibility, but can be more awkward to store.
Charging speed will be dictated by the capability of the cable and the charging capacity of your EV. Look for a cable that matches or betters the maximum charge rate of your vehicle.
That said, a cable with a larger capacity won't damage your car either, as the EV just draws the power it needs. But it should be the correct spec cable so you do not overpay for a cable you could get cheaper elsewhere. Have in mind that most vehicles can charge with up to 11 kW.
Use a good quality cable that can endure the vagaries of weather if the charging station is planned for the outdoors. Ensure that it has outdoor ratings and good insulation and that it is also resistant to weather. This will make the entire charging setup long-lasting and secure through thick and thin.
If you went by these factors, you would be in a position to choose the right EV charge cables that make the EV experience even better.
Choosing the best length for an EV charging cable at home is key to balancing convenience and safety. It should be long enough to reach from your EV charger to your car's charging port, without causing tangles or hazards.
Here's a simplified guide:
Selecting the appropriate cable length for electric vehicle chargers for home ensures efficient charging and maintains a tidy, hazard-free charging area.
A Type 2 to Type 2 cable refers to a category of electric vehicle (EV) charging cable, ideally meant for use in connecting an EV with a Type 2 charging port to a Type 2 charging station.
So, it can be appreciated that this is the type of cable widely used in electric car charging in Europe, and with increasing adaption in other regions because of its compatibility with a large number of EVs and charging infrastructure.
Your Type 2 to Type 2 EV charging cable could be among the best investments an EV driver could make for several reasons—especially if you are already taking advantage of the growing number of public and semi-public charging stations.
Many of these chargers, especially the AC ones, come without an attached cable, which is a window for discounts.
Here's how a Type 2 to Type 2 cable brings savings to the bill:
In short, though it might involve an upfront cost, yet the benefits of free charge point access, no rental fees, and ensuring wide compatibility are what that would establish a Type 2 to Type 2 cable as an economic investment for the EV owner.
No, not all EV charging cables are the same. Various kinds of charging cables are involved in charging electric vehicles.
And it's important to know about these differences to make sure you can charge your car properly and quickly.
Here's what makes them different:
So you have to learn these differences in order to be able to make the right choice of a cable, and, as a result, to charge it securely and as fast as needed.
For more information, please visit Ev Charging Station Components.