Helpful video reference. This video by John Ward (jwflame) covers the real question most homeowners face: can the existing consumer unit handle an EV charger, or does something need to change first? John is a UK electrician based in Dorset and gets into the protective device choices and earthing considerations that a lot of installation guides gloss over. Worth watching before your survey appointment. Watch on YouTube.
1. The survey: photos and a look at the board
A decent installer will ask for photos before they quote. You need three things: a photo of your consumer unit (opened to show the breakers), a photo of the proposed charger location, and a rough idea of the cable route between the two.
The consumer unit photo is the important one. It tells the installer whether there is a spare way, what type of protection is already fitted, and whether the board is modern enough to take an extra 32A circuit without a full upgrade. Older split-load boards and rewireable fuse boxes almost always need replacing first.
2. Choosing the charger unit
Your installer should walk you through at least the basics. The main decisions are:
- Tethered or socketed. Tethered means the cable is permanently attached. Socketed takes a detachable Type 2 lead. If you only ever own one car, tethered is more convenient. Socketed is better if you swap manufacturers.
- Smart or dumb. A smart charger lets you schedule charging for off-peak tariffs via an app. Under UK regulations introduced in 2022, new chargers must be smart-capable anyway.
- Solar-follow. If you have a PV array, a charger with solar-follow will use surplus generation first before drawing from the grid. Worth having if you have panels or plan to install them.
- RCD type. Some car makes need a Type B RCD. The data sheet for your vehicle will say. A good installer checks this before ordering kit.
3. The cable route
From the consumer unit to the parking position. On a standard semi-detached with an integral garage this might be a 5-metre run along a trunking. On a house with the meter in the hall and parking at the end of a long drive, it gets more involved.
Cables that go outside need UV-resistant trunking or armoured cable. Any section buried below ground needs to be armoured SWA and marked on a sketch so you know where it runs. Ask to see this on the completion paperwork.
4. Load balancing and the CT clamp
This is the bit most people do not know about until they get the quote. A 7.4 kW charger draws 32 amps. If your house already has a 60A or 80A fuse at the meter (which most do), and you then run a shower, an oven and a kettle at the same time, you are close to the limit before the charger kicks in.
A CT clamp is a current sensor that clips around the meter tails. It tells the charger what the house is already drawing. The charger automatically reduces its own output so the combined load stays below the fuse rating. Without this, a charger on a loaded circuit trips the main fuse. Most competent installers include a CT clamp as standard on domestic jobs.
5. Earthing
UK supplies are mostly TN-C-S (PME). For EV chargers on a PME supply, the IET Code of Practice requires either a PEN fault protection device built into the charger or a separate earth electrode buried near the parking position. Your installer will specify which applies. If a quote skips this entirely, ask about it.
6. Installation day
A standard wall-mount on an attached garage takes around half a day. The installer isolates the consumer unit, runs the cable, fits the charger, connects back at the board, tests the circuit, pairs the charger app, and hands you the installation certificate. Before they leave, verify the certificate has a reference number and their competent-person scheme membership. You will need both if you ever sell the house.
7. DNO notification and grants
A 7.4 kW charger is permitted development. The installer notifies the Distribution Network Operator after installation rather than before. They should handle this paperwork as part of the job.
The government's OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) now applies only to flats and rental properties. If you are a landlord or a flat owner you may still qualify. Check eligibility before booking.
When to call us
Richard is OZEV-approved and covers Sandwich, Deal, Dover, Ramsgate and Canterbury. He will look at photos of your board and parking situation and give a fixed-price quote. Most jobs in east Kent start from £850 all in.
Ready to get a home charger fitted?
Send a couple of photos of your consumer unit and the proposed charger location on WhatsApp and Richard will come back with a written, fixed-price quote.
Contact Richard