EV CHARGING & iNSTALLATION Calgary

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If you are using a Level 1 charger plugged into an existing outlet, or if you have an existing 240-volt outlet and are using a portable Level 2 charger that doesn't require installation, you still may need an electrician. 

Due to the heavy load an Electric Vehicles applies to your circuit, it should be on its own on a dedicated circuit. The circuit should also be appropriately sized for the charging requirements. Your Electrical Service should also have the room to accommodate the heavy load of the Electric Vehicle. An Electrician can ensure your EV Charging System will charge your car safely.

EV chargers are available in three different levels. Level 1 utilizes 120 volts, similar to a standard 120-volt home outlet. Level 2 operates on 208-240 volts and is the most common for residential and commercial use. Level 3, using voltages over 240 and 3 Phase Electrical, is solely for commercial use.

For fast and efficient charging, most homeowners will opt for the Level 2 Charging.

The duration is largely contingent on the charging system. There are three levels of charging speed:

Level 1 charging can exceed 24 hours. It is a slow process, usually reserved for Hybrid EVs.

Level 2 charging is most common for home use, taking approximately 6-12 hours for a full charge, based on the vehicle model and charging amperage.

Level 3 charging can reach 80% battery life in just about 11 minutes, but it's typically for commercial use because of the high power demand. 

In order to achieve a 40 amp charging rate, a 50 amp breaker is necessary. This is because circuit breakers are only designed to handle 80% of their capacity to ensure safety. 

Here are the respective charging rates for different breaker sizes:

15A Breaker = 12A Charging Rate 

20A Breaker = 16A Charging Rate 

30A Breaker = 24A Charging Rate 

40A Breaker = 32A Charging Rate 

50A Breaker = 40A Charging Rate 

60A Breaker = 48A Charging Rate

In part, yes and no. Although both utilize a NEMA 14-50R outlet, the electrical systems for an Electric Vehicle (EV) and a range (stove) are vastly different. Using a range electrical setup for an EV outlet could potentially lead to a fire hazard and will fail to meet inspection standards.

In North America, the majority of EVs use a uniform Level 2 charging plug known as an SAE J1772 (IEC Type 1), or the J charging plug. This allows any electric vehicle to be charged at any standard Level 2 charging station across North America. However, for Level 3 chargers, North American EVs utilize a combo plug, and not all EVs can charge at Level 3 stations. It's important to verify your vehicle specifications. Tesla has its own unique connector for Level 2 and Level 3 Supercharging stations, and this is only compatible with Tesla vehicles.

Load calculation is a mathematical calculation used by electricians to ensure your service is appropriately sized to meet your home's power needs. All electrical loads in your house are factored into this calculation. The high demand of an EV charger can significantly affect the load calculation. Adding an EV charger might exceed the load calculation, resulting in a failed electrical inspection. Thus, it is crucial to perform the load calculation before any installation. Neglecting the calculation and installing the EV charger could trip the main electrical panel disconnect, leading to a complete power outage. 

If you opt for a larger amp charger, you might exceed your home's load calculation. The primary solution would be to upgrade your panel to accommodate the EV charger, but this could be costly. A more efficient solution could be an Energy Management system like Black Box. It is a power management system that monitors your service and temporarily turns off the charger if the main service becomes overloaded, automatically resuming charging when it can handle the amperage again, eliminating any concerns.

Understanding your home's specific needs is crucial for determining the steps involved in your installation. Important factors include the charging location, your panel's service, available space in your panel for the new EV breaker, and the desired breaker size which affects the charge rate. This information is vital for creating the ideal electrical system for your charger.

Next, you choose whether you want a receptacle or a specific EV wall charger installed. Major brands offer wall chargers, and the EV market offers plenty of alternatives. A plug can also be installed, but a charger adds a layer of safety and control. After finalizing your preferred electrical system, we schedule an installation date suitable for you and install your Charging system seamlessly. We handle the permit and scheduling with the inspector, but you will need to be home to meet with the inspector on a date after the installation. The City of Calgary Electrical Inspector could arrive anytime between 8am and 4:30pm on the date of the inspection.  If you are not able to be home to meet the inspector, we have options to accommodate this, ask your Master Electrician for more information. This inspection is a legal requirement and can be mandatory for your Home Insurance Company coverage, and Vehicle Warranty.

This is an important consideration. The quicker you want to charge your EV, the more power (Amperage, Amps) you will need. The more power you require, the larger the electrical wires need to be. More power also increases the likelihood of needing to upgrade your electrical infrastructure. 

A certified electrician should perform an electrical load calculation to ensure that you don't overload your electrical panel and service lines. Based on the kind of charger you want to use and the number of electrical appliances in your home, you may need to upgrade your electrical service to 200 Amp. You can also opt to use a Black Box Energy Management System, which eliminates the need for a panel upgrade and can save you a considerable amount of money. Furthermore, your specific EV model will dictate what type of charger will best meet your needs. 

For safety and optimal charging, we recommend purchasing a charger if your vehicle does not come with a Level 2 charging system.

Charging speeds are dependent on each persons needs, and budget. The higher the charging speed, the higher the chance of requiring a panel or service upgrade, or a Black Box Energy Management System. 

Here are the options we see most;

Selecting a 30 AMP BREAKER is the most cost-effective option, providing a charge rate of approximately 23 km per hour. 

Opting for a 40 AMP BREAKER offers a charge rate of around 35 km per hour. It's worth noting that the costs of 40 and 50 AMP breakers are the same, and they use the same wire size. Hence, even if you don't require a 50Amp Breaker right now, you would have the option to upgrade to one in the future if needed.

Choosing a 50 AMP BREAKER, the most value-efficient choice for future-proofing, provides a charge rate of about 45 km per hour.

A 60 AMP BREAKER, while offering a charge rate of approximately 11-12 KW or 60 km per hour, has a high probability of requiring a load management system or a panel upgrade because of the risk of overloading the panel.

The 80 Amp Plus can deliver a very high charge rate of up to120 km per hour but will certainly necessitate a panel upgrade due to panel overloading . The cost may range between $10,000-$20,000, depending on the distance and whether the service is underground. It offers commercial-rated speeds and is an excellent choice for those who can afford it.

Charging speeds are dependent on each persons needs, and budget. The higher the charging speed, the higher the chance of requiring a panel or service upgrade, or a Black Box Energy Management System. 

Here are the options we see most;

Selecting a 30 AMP BREAKER is the most cost-effective option, providing a charge rate of approximately 23 km per hour. 

Opting for a 40 AMP BREAKER offers a charge rate of around 35 km per hour. It's worth noting that the costs of 40 and 50 AMP breakers are the same, and they use the same wire size. Hence, even if you don't require a 50Amp Breaker right now, you would have the option to upgrade to one in the future if needed.

Choosing a 50 AMP BREAKER, the most value-efficient choice for future-proofing, provides a charge rate of about 45 km per hour.

A 60 AMP BREAKER, while offering a charge rate of approximately 11-12 KW or 60 km per hour, has a high probability of requiring a load management system or a panel upgrade because of the risk of overloading the panel.

The 80 Amp Plus can deliver a very high charge rate of up to120 km per hour but will certainly necessitate a panel upgrade due to panel overloading . The cost may range between $10,000-$20,000, depending on the distance and whether the service is underground. It offers commercial-rated speeds and is an excellent choice for those who can afford it.

The most expensive option is a panel and service upgrade, which involves bringing larger wires from your city's street electrical service box (could be very costly if underground) and installing a new 200 Amp panel. The cost could range from $5,000 to over $10,000, based on the location of the City Electrical Service Box. A 200 Amp Panel Upgrade can be a valuable investment however, dependent on plans for the property in the future. Your Master Electrician can advise you further on this.

Jack Pine Electric strongly recommends using a Black Box Energy management system to our EV charger customers if they are looking for the most economical way to install a charging system in their home. It allows you to legally install a 30-50 Amp breaker without upgrading your electrical service and panel. If your Electrical Panel load calculation surpasses legal limits, this will be included in your quote. The cost usually falls between $900 to $1200, plus wiring, plug or charger install cost.