Installing a Level 2 EV charging station at your home makes life much more convenient and allows you to save money compared to using public chargers. You can also use Level 1 charging by plugging your EV into a standard 120-volt outlet. However, Level 1 charging is very slow. Level 2 charging stations run on 240-volt power, allowing you to charge your vehicle much faster.
The only issue is that the electrical service panel in many homes is often near capacity and may not be able to support the additional load of a Level 2 charger. Therefore, it is often necessary to upgrade the electrical panel before you can safely have an EV charger installed.
How EV Chargers Impact a Home’s Electrical Load
The total load that your electrical system can handle all at once is determined by the amperage of your electrical service panel. All 240-volt appliances and fixtures significantly increase a home’s electrical load, as the amperage of most 240-volt circuits is considerably higher than that of standard 120-volt circuits. Ensuring that your current electrical load never exceeds the amperage of your service panel is essential for avoiding damage to your home’s electrical system. The biggest concern is that the wiring in the panel can quickly overheat and potentially catch fire if the panel becomes overloaded.
A large percentage of homes today, especially those built 30 or more years ago, have only a 100-amp electrical service panel. Even some homes built more recently have 100-amp panels, as this is all that is required by the National Electrical Code. Some much older homes still have only a 60-amp service panel. The issue is that 100 amps is really only sufficient to handle the load of two or maybe three 240-volt circuits. This means the electrical system may be able to support an air conditioner and a clothes dryer, but not much else. A 60-amp panel is often not even sufficient to support the load of a central AC unit.
The electricity needs of modern homes have continually increased over time and will continue to do so in the future. That’s why more homes now have 150- or 200-amp electrical service.
How To Know if You Should Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
Calculating a home’s electrical load to determine if the electrical panel is at risk of being overloaded isn’t always easy, as it requires adding up the wattage of all the lighting, electronic devices, appliances, etc. Electricians use a special formula to estimate the maximum load at any given time instead of just calculating the total load for the entire house. That’s because there is generally never going to be a situation when everything in the house is on and drawing power at the same time. Nonetheless, you still want to ensure your electrical panel is sufficiently powerful to handle a larger load, just to avoid the risk of it getting overloaded.
If your home only has a 100-amp panel, upgrading to a larger panel is a great way to future-proof your house. This way, you’ll be prepared if you decide in the future that you want to install an EV charger or something like a hot tub. Upgrading your electrical panel also helps improve electrical safety by preventing issues like overloads and power imbalances. This is especially true if your home is more than 30 years old and still has its original electrical panel.
Homes of this age or older often have a variety of electrical issues. These include deteriorated wiring, loose connections, faulty circuit breakers, and corrosion, all of which can pose major safety hazards. These potential hazards are why it’s important to schedule regular safety and code compliance inspections if you have an older home. Ensuring that your electrical system is up to code and updating anything that does not meet code requirements greatly improves electrical safety.
Also, keeping your electrical system up to code is a good way to plan should you want to install new equipment like an EV charger or put an addition on your house. One last thing to note is that your insurance company may not cover issues like an electrical fire if your electrical system is outdated and not up to code.
Raynor Services is a family-owned company offering safe and reliable electrical services in Mount Holly and the surrounding areas of Southern New Jersey. We have been in business for more than 30 years and are ready to help you ensure your electrical system is safe. From code inspections to electrical panel upgrades and more, you can depend on us for all your needs. To schedule an inspection or get help with any electrical issues, contact Raynor Services today.
