Considerations Before Installing  An EV Charge Point

Electric vehicles are new, exciting, futuristic feeling, feel good factor with the green credentials the process of having charge points installed at your home or business can feel quite daunting. At eSpark Services we understand the process of having charge points installed and have created the following guide to aid with the decision making to make the transition to an electric vehicle be as smooth as possible.

• Start with where you like the unit located, would you need it wall or pedestal mounted ?

• What is the cable route like back to your fuse board ? Are ground works needed or can the cable be installed onto the fabric of the building ?

• Do you have a decent WiFi speed and strength at the charger location or is possible to hard wire an internet connection to your router ?

• Do you have or are planning to install a solar PV and or a battery storage system ?

• Do you plan on having more than one electric vehicle that would require charging at your premises ?

  Giving the above points some time and consideration will make the next step of choosing an installer a lot less daunting. These are the questions you should be asked during a survey prior to quotation to ensure you are getting the best possible charger and installation that meets your requirements. With that in mind, choosing who to carry out your installation is just as an important decision as which charge point to have installed. All too often we see comments on line stating that installing a charge point is an easy DIY job or any electrician can install it. This is quite simply not the case and is in fact potentially dangerous if an unqualified and incompetent person carries out the install. Many factors have to be taken into consideration including location, main supply earthing arrangements, RCD type and cable selection to name but a few. Following the points below will go a long to ensuring that your charge point will be installed to the highest and safest standards.

• Holds a valid BS7671 Requirements For Electrical Installation qualification.

• Holds a valid Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Code Of Practice qualification.

• Holds a valid City & Guilds 2391-52 or equivalent qualification in electrical inspection & testing.

• Valid membership of an approved competent person scheme such as NAPIT or NECEIC.

• Valid Public Liability Insurance.

• Valid Private Indemnity Insurance.

• Manufacturers training/ approval to install the chosen charge point.

  A simple way to check that all the above criteria has been meet is to select an OLEV approved installer. To become a OLEV approved installer, a stringent application process takes place where all these points have to be provided. All work carried out can be subject to on the spot checks to prove compliance is being adhered to. Don’t be afraid to ask any potential installer for proof of qualifications as if they are competent, compliant and confident in their ability to carry out the work. They should be more than happy to provide the necessary documentation.

 Electric Vehicle Charge Point Installation

eSpark Services are the one stop shop for all your electric vehicle charging needs. Being both Napit accredited and OZEV/OLEV grant approved you can be rest assured that a charge point installation carried out by us at your home or business would be carried out to the highest standards and tailored to meet your needs using only the best equipment available. Contact us now to discuss your options and see if you are eligible for any government grant assistance.