Can I add an EV charging point from my consumer unit?

S

sjws1888

Joined
19 Dec 2012
Messages
77
Reaction score
3
Location
Yorkshire
Country
United Kingdom
Hi
I'm thinking about getting an electric car charging point installed. My issue is that it would be fairly easy to run cables from the consumer unit to the outside of the house where the charging point would go, however if the cables needed to be run from the electric meter it would be pretty much impossible to do ( would have to pull up tiled floors etc).
So I wondered if anyone could tell me whether it's possible to run the cables from my existing consumer unit? I've attached a photo of the consumer unit but if anyone needs any more information in order to answer this please let me know and I can reply.
Cheers
 

Attachments

  • 20200419_192447.jpg
    20200419_192447.jpg
    178.6 KB · Views: 1,024
If a suitable double pole RCBO can be obtained to fit that consumer unit then possibly.

If not, then no. Another consumer unit is required either adjacent to that one, or in some other location.
 
flameport said:
If a suitable double pole RCBO can be obtained to fit that consumer unit then possibly.

If not, then no. Another consumer unit is required either adjacent to that one, or in some other location.
Click to expand...
Without having looked at the requirements for EV charging, could one not fit a large MCB (Say 50A) to feed a 2P RCBO in a dedicated enclosure?
 
Hi Guys

thanks for the replies so far.

What I'm really asking here is, can the EV point be run from something in or near the existing consumer unit (picture attached to my original post). Whether that is another consumer unit or an RCBO in the existing unit or whatever is fine, but the point is that it will be easy enough to run cables to the charging point from the area where that consumer unit is located, but the meter is in a different room which will be impossible to run a cable from
cheers
 
sjws1888 said:
Hi Guys

thanks for the replies so far.

What I'm really asking here is, can the EV point be run from something in or near the existing consumer unit (picture attached to my original post). Whether that is another consumer unit or an RCBO in the existing unit or whatever is fine, but the point is that it will be easy enough to run cables to the charging point from the area where that consumer unit is located, but the meter is in a different room which will be impossible to run a cable from
cheers
Click to expand...
In my opinion there is enough space in your consumer unit to be be able to connect your EV point there, your electrician will be the person to make the final decision.

What is the grey box just in the bottom of the picture?
 
SUNRAY said:
In my opinion there is enough space in your consumer unit to be be able to connect your EV point there, your electrician will be the person to make the final decision.

What is the grey box just in the bottom of the picture?
Click to expand...
The installation needs to comply with Section 722 (and also ideally the Code of Practice) so it's not as simple as that.
 
I looked for Phase Guard RCBO and could only find type A, and the consumer unit would need to either have a third neutral bar, or converter to all RCBO, I have the same problem with a CP Electrical consumer unit, except for 6A where you can get type AC the only RCBO I can get is type A. Never even thought about it when it went in.

I am sure there is a way, but the problem with electric vehicle charging points is to get the grant you have to use some one registered to fit them, so the only person who can answer the question is the installer. Main problem with EV charging points is the earthing, so what may seem ideal location is not always possible. But there is also power used, this house like many has a 60A incoming supply, which is hardly enough. To upgrade the supply may be as simple as swapping the fuse, but it that is not always the case, if the cables from meter to consumer unit are not large enough they may need renewing.

So no amount of talking on here will give you the answers you need, only the installer can tell you. As @markyd1 points out there is a unit which can be used, but it depends if your installer is going to use that product.
 
Last edited:
Good morning, this company will be able to help you. Hope this helps.
 

Attachments

  • 2FC23818-A2E9-43E7-9091-58A7F01DC551.png
    2FC23818-A2E9-43E7-9091-58A7F01DC551.png
    627.4 KB · Views: 482
  • DA6E7662-51E5-4C43-8254-B4D8F4A00244.png
    DA6E7662-51E5-4C43-8254-B4D8F4A00244.png
    800.1 KB · Views: 421
ericmark said:
I looked for Phase Guard RCBO and could only find type A
Click to expand...
Given the Type AC RCCBs in the picture I'm not sure whether that is a typo on your part.

It will require at least a Type A RCD (including RCBOs) - but in some circumstances the requirement will be for a Type B. The RCD (including RCBOs) MUST break ALL LIVE CONDUCTORS also, and be dedicated (i.e. not shared with anything else).

I wouldn't hugely fancy the chances with what's there. The most likely option would be a separate dedicated DB for the EVSE.
 
Yes typo all I found was type AC but from @markyd1 post it seems it does not matter, the HappiZappi car charger it seems does it all, however it is how to take the power from the CU needs a cable able to take full supply to house and although the electrician in @markyd1 video connects it to the henley bloc I am not so sure that is a good idea, normally we aim for a single isolation point.

As said before it is down to the installer, he has to decide what he is prepared to accept, he signs the installation certificate so down to him or her of course.
 
Little sidenote- if the OP has had a grant for a charging point and then moved house he/she cannot have another grant.
So this may be a non-academic question (I don't have the answer) but would expect a start would be to get your electricty supplier to fit a 2 pole isolator between meter and CU (preferably near the CU), then the Henley blocks and 'garage' CU becomes an acceptable option. There are other considerations (supply type, rating and earthing) so not really a DIY job IMHO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top