SPECIALISTS IN DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL CHARGING POINT INSTALLATION

AM Electrical is an (OLEV) OZEV-approved installer, we carry out commercial/workplace and domestic charging point installation. We are approved to install chargers from most Manufacturers of EV’s. We are NIC EIC accredited and offer our services throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands area. We have been offering our services for the past 23 years, carrying out all work in accordance with BS7671 as well as priding ourselves on our friendly and reliable service to all of our customers.

The government is committed to reducing our carbon emissions/pollution, in the fight against ‘climate change’; or more accurately local pollution and human health attributed to breathable fumes/ particulates. Efforts include spending more than £600m between 2015 and 2020 on supporting the uptake and manufacturing of ultra-low-emission vehicles. £38m of this will go towards public charging points which will be overseen by the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV/OZEV). Grants are being offered to support the purchase of electrical and hybrid vehicles.

The Workplace Charging Scheme offers up to £350 per socket up to a maximum of 20 sockets for all commercial properties. This is a significant incentive towards the installation of charging points, not to mention the banning of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.

Call AM Electrical today to arrange a site survey from one of our EV engineers who will be happy to advise you on a EV installation at your premises.

Electric Vehicle EV Charge Installation Article

The Basics, What you need to know, Before Choosing an EV Charger

We have a lot of customers coming to us not knowing where to start, so we have compiled this easy to read article to provide a few important tips in deciding on an EV charge installer at your home. Common Questions and Answers – FAQs

What is the size of your main cut out fuse? Where is main cut out fuse located?

This is required because you may require an uprated cut out fuse due to the constant 35AMP EV charge load. You’ll need a 100AMP fuse. The wires used on the fuse circuit may need swapping for larger cables.

Usually located in the main meter box, understairs or outside, there is a grey box and is called a service head and next to that is the main cut out fuse, on it, it may say 100Amps, you may need to send a photo of it to your electrician.

Will the 100AMP cut out fuse be free to install?

Yes your provider/DNO Distribution Network Operator can install for free or check.

Do you have a looped service?

You may share an electricity service with your neighbour direct from your main meter box! Supply Cables in (two cables = shared) and cable to next door. Shared main supply cable. Limiting the amount of power you can take. You can ask the Distribution Network whether you have a looped service.

What is your MPAN or MPRN?

You will need this number This should be on your electricity bill in a rectangular box. You may need to send photos of this to the electrician.

Safety Checks on existing installation, main earth bonding to service pipes (Water Gas etc), you can check this prior to EV charge point installation.

You can check if you have the required earthing/ bonding in place. GAS Check in Gas meter box may be a white door on the outside of the house. The bonding earth point may be in the box or just inside the house where the box is. WATER Water bond earthing point is near the mains stop cock or under the kitchen sink You may need to send photos of these to the electrician. See Photo Below

Why do you need to check the Consumer unit or fuse box prior to an EV charge point install?

Do you have a spare “way” or trip switch blank in the unit. A non RCD switch will be added for the EV charge point. No spare “ways” on the RCD unit? You may need the consumer unit upgraded or an additional singular consumer unit for the EV charge point on its own. Do you have space near the conumer unit to add a new unit?! You may need to send photos of the consumer unit location to the electrician.

Where do you want your charge point located?

Where are you parking your electric car? Driveway, Parking Space, Street? Where will vehicle be and which side is the charge port? How will you be parking the vehicle? Which orientation etc? Which side is the charge point on the vehicle? e.g. Tesla = Left rear of vehicle Tethered Chargers often have 6.5M length of cable. You can also have an untethered length of charge cable, more about this later. Cable trailing, trip hazard on your property, keep it short. Where will the charger look nice? Side of house, Wall, Garage? Charge point has to be at a set height of minimum 750mm from the ground and maximum 1200mm maximum as per regulations (as of 2023).

New cable from the consumer unit to the charge point!?

The cable run must be regulation compliant and safe. Do a drawing of where you would like the cable inside and or outside. Take a photo and then edit or draw on the photo or make a sketch of the installation for your electrician of how you want the EV charge point to look when installed. Conduit (surface mounted cable), trunking etc for hiding the cable. For underground cable installation a galvanized steel armoured trunking is available.

Which charge speed rating do you require? How quickly is your EV car going to charge?

Charge Speed required? Do you really need super fast charging? Example: 7Kw charger Tesla Model 3 from 0 – 300 Miles Range in approx 10 hours. What is your mileage per day? Average is 30 – 40 miles and then recharging when using from home. Most Vehcles are limited to the charge power e.g. 12Kw or 11Kw Example: VW E-Up is rated at 3.5 Kw! It has a Small battery and so charge speed is lower. 7Kw hours is good for most people who do under 50 miles per day from home and therefore need less charge speed, thus saving money on expensive charge points.

What functionality do you need on your EV charger?

Tethered or untethered charge cable?

Tethered EV Charge Cable
Plug is retractable into the charger body.

Untethered EV Charge Cable You have a seperate cable with two plugs you can carry in your car boot etc.

Dumb Charger

No App
Basic Plug
Aesthetic Design is basic

Smart Charger

Benefits:

Mobile App Monitoring (monitor whole house and or car charging expenditure)
Solar Power charging (instead of sending back to grid charge your car)
Timed Charging Off Peak charging (cheaper electricity)
How much electricity is your EV charger using (monitor on mobile app)
Aesthetic Design is Futuristic or in-keeping with the house design/style