EV Charger Installation: Switchboard Requirements
What a home EV charger means for the switchboard — dedicated circuit, RCD type, load management and when three phase makes sense.
A dedicated circuit, always
A 7kW single phase charger draws around 32A continuously — a dedicated circuit with its own protection is mandatory, not optional. The board needs a spare way, capacity in the main switch rating and a maximum-demand calculation that still adds up.
Protection specifics
EV charging circuits need RCD protection appropriate to the charger's DC leakage characteristics — commonly Type A plus DC detection built into the charger, or a Type B device. Check the charger's documentation before ordering switchgear.
When three phase pays
Households planning two EVs, ducted air conditioning or a pool heat pump alongside charging are prime candidates for a three phase upgrade. A pre-wired three phase board with metering provision turns the upgrade into a predictable, single-visit job.
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Panels & surrounds for meter installations
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Keep Reading
Three Phase vs Single Phase Switchboards
When a home or small commercial site should move to three phase supply, and what that means for the main switchboard and metering.
The Difference Between Single Phase and Three Phase
A plain-language explanation of single-phase versus three-phase supply — what each is, what triggers an upgrade and what changes at the board.
Granny Flat Metering: Getting Dual Occupancy Right
Separate metering for secondary dwellings — the metering layout, box sizing and board configuration dual-occupancy sites need.