Are you considering installing an EV charger in your home?
Are you thinking about upgrading your current one?
If so, you'll most likely be wondering which type of charger you can have installed. A 22kW three-phase charger is the most powerful charger that you can install at home. However, there are certain factors that will determine whether you can have one installed.
In this guide, we're going to take a look at all you need to know about 22kW three-phase home chargers. You'll be able to decide if this type of charger is right for you and work out if you can have one installed.
In terms of speed, a 22kW charging point is better than a 7kW EV charger. A 7kW home EV charger charges your electric car at a maximum rate of 7.4kW. This is the most common type of home charger, and a single-phase electricity supply is needed for one to be installed.
A single-phase electricity supply is the most common type of electrical supply found in residential properties in the UK. So, as long as your existing electrical supply is sufficient then you can have a 7kW charger installed at your home. If your existing supply is not suitable then this can be upgraded by your DNO or you can have a charge point with G100 Active Load Management installed to ensure you do not exceed your house supply capacity when charging.
A 22kW home EV charger is able to charge your electric vehicle at a rate that's three times faster than a 7kW charger. This massive charging capability saves a lot of time, but you do need to have a three-phase electrical supply at your home to have one installed. Having a fast car charger like this will certainly make charging a breeze.
A three-phase electricity supply has a far greater power rating than a single-phase electricity supply, but it's not usually found in residential buildings. A three-phase supply is more commonly found in big commercial buildings.
Electric cars can be charged at home using a number of different chargers. The speed at which your electric vehicle is charged depends on the charger output, the power source, and the charging capacity of your electric car.
The most common types of home charging points are:
In order to have a 22kW EV charger installed in your home, you need to have a three-phase electricity supply. These are rarely found in residential properties in the UK. They're usually only found in commercial or industrial properties.
This is why the majority of EV drivers charge their electric vehicles with a 7kW home charger.
If you want to upgrade your power supply to a three-phase power supply, then you can apply to do so through your Distribution Network Operator. However, this can be costly, and the price to upgrade ranges from £3,000 to £15,000.
If you're planning to have a 22kW EV charger installed at home, then you'll need to check that you have a three-phase power supply. Fortunately, this is an easy thing to check.
First, locate your fuse box or meter. Open it up and look inside. If you have a single-phase power supply, then the power will enter your home or meter through a single fuse. This means you should only see one wire.
If you have a three-phase power supply, then the power will enter your home or meter through three fuses. This means that you'll be able to see three wires. If you have this type of power supply, then you're all set to have a 22kW EV charger installed in your home.
Another factor you'll need to consider is whether your electric vehicle can actually be charged with a 22kW 3 phase EV charger. Most electric cars are still unable to be charged at a maximum rate of 22kW.
For example, the Tesla Model 3 can be charged using a 22kW charger, but it will not charge at a rate that's higher than 11kW. This is because 11kW is the vehicle's maximum charging capability.
Some examples of electric cars that can take full advantage of a 22kW 3 phase car charger include the Renault Zoe and the Audi E-Tron 55.
To be able to use a 22kW three-phase charger, you'll need a Type 2 charging cable. This is the standard format of cable for most models of electric cars.
You can tell if your cable is a Type 2 cable by checking how many pins the connector has. There should be seven holes in total, with five at the top and two at the bottom. If the holes at the bottom don't contain pins, then the cable can only be used for single-phase charging.
To be able to use a cable with a three-phase power supply, there will need to be pins in all seven holes.
Auto power balancing is used by home EV chargers to reduce the rate of charge at times when your home is using a high amount of energy. This is to prevent the electrical supply to your home from becoming overloaded.
Once more power becomes available, your home charger automatically returns to the fastest rate of charging.
There are several different types of public charging points which include slow, fast, rapid, and ultra-rapid chargers. The power ratings of these chargers range from 7kW to over 100kW. Ultra-rapid chargers are usually found at charging hubs or motorway service stations.
Rapid chargers, which charge at 22Kw, are fairly common and can be found at many locations across the UK.
How quickly a 22kW three-phase charger will charge your electric car depends on the type of electric car you have. The Renault Zoe is one of the most popular electric vehicles in the UK and is often used as a guide.
When using a 22kW three-phase home charger, the Renault Zoe can be charged in less than two hours.
Your electric car must be able to accept AC charging in order to use a 22kW charger to its full capabilities. If your EV can't accept AC, then there's no point in installing a 22kW charger at home.
Most EV owners want to be able to charge their vehicles at home as quickly as possible. The best way to achieve this is to use a 22kW three-phase home charger.
However, most homes in the UK use single-phase electricity supplies. Upgrading your home to a three-phase power supply is expensive, but it might be worth it to achieve the fastest charging rates possible.
