Frequently Asked Questions
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An EV charger is a device that lets you charge the battery of your electric vehicle. It takes power from your home (AC power) and converts it into the type of power (DC power) your electric vehicle needs.
There are three types of EV chargers:
Level 3 Charger (480-volt): Level 3 chargers, also known as DC Fast Charging (DCFC), are not for home use. They are found in commercial buildings, retailers, or highway rest areas. Charging from 20% to 80% can take around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the power of the DCFC.
Level 1 Charger (120-volt): These chargers use a standard home outlet and are the slowest. It takes around 50 to 90 hours to fully charge your EV. You can add about 3 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging.
Level 2 Charger (240-volt): These chargers offer faster charging compared to Level 1 chargers, typically taking about 6 to 12 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle. With a Level 2 charger, you can add approximately 20 to 30 miles of driving range per hour of charging. These chargers require a 240-volt power supply and can be either hardwired into the electrical system or plugged into dedicated 240-volt outlets. Professional installation is recommended for their setup.
Please note that actual charging times can vary based on factors such as:
- Charger amperage,
- Power acceptance by your EV,
- Ambient temperature, and
- Battery condition.
It is generally recommended to keep your battery level between 20% and 80% for optimal battery life, except for long trips when you may want a full charge.
Some EV chargers have adjustable amp ranges to provide flexibility and accommodate different electrical system capabilities and charging needs. Here are a few reasons why adjustable amp ranges are beneficial:
Electrical Compatibility: EV chargers with adjustable Amp ranges are designed to work with various electrical systems found in different homes or buildings. This flexibility ensures that the charger can be adjusted to match the specific electrical capacity of your location. It prevents overloading the electrical system and ensures safe and efficient charging.
Future-Proofing: By allowing Amp adjustment, these chargers offer future-proofing capabilities. If you make changes to your electrical system or switch to a new electric vehicle with different charging requirements, an electrician can easily adjust the Amp setting of the charger to accommodate these changes. This eliminates the need to replace the charger and provides a cost-effective solution to adapt to evolving charging needs.
For instance, imagine you buy a 48A charger, but your home’s electrical capacity can only handle a 32 Amp charger (with a 40 Amp breaker). In this situation, the electrician can easily adjust the charger to 32 Amps, making it work seamlessly.
If you can afford an electrical upgrade such as a panel upgrade, subpanel upgrade, or load management device, in the future for faster charging and can accommodate a 60 Amp breaker, the electrician can readjust the charger to the full 48 Amps. This grants you the ability to charge your vehicle at a significantly faster speed when necessary.