Problems After EV Charger Installation
- How urgent
- Caution
- Who fixes it
- An electrician
What's happening?
Problems that begin after an EV charger installation may be caused by the installation itself: incorrect wiring, undersized cables, inadequate consumer unit capacity, or missing protective devices. A properly installed EV charger should not affect the rest of your electrical system.
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What usually causes it?
- Consumer unit overloaded: insufficient spare capacity for a 32A charger
- Incorrect or missing RCD/RCBO protection
- Undersized cable between the consumer unit and the charger
- Earth bonding not correctly completed
- Charger not configured correctly for the supply
- Surge protection not fitted as required by BS 7671
Is it dangerous?
Installation faults can be a genuine safety risk. Incorrect wiring, missing earth bonding, or inadequate protection could create shock or fire hazards. If your electrics are tripping since the installation, other circuits are affected, or you notice warm cables or burning smells, treat this as urgent.
Can I fix it myself?
You cannot and should not attempt to fix installation faults yourself. EV charger installation must comply with BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) and Part P of the Building Regulations. Check that you received an electrical installation certificate from the installer and that they were an OZEV-approved installer.
When should you call an electrician?
Call an electrician (ideally not the original installer if you suspect their work is at fault) if the EV charger trips your main electrics, if other circuits have been affected since installation, if the charger cable or consumer unit feels warm, if you did not receive an installation certificate, or if the charger has never worked correctly since installation.
What will the electrician actually do?
- Inspect the EV charger installation against BS 7671 requirements
- Test the circuit for correct protection (RCD type, MCB rating, surge protection)
- Check cable sizing and voltage drop under load
- Verify earth bonding and protective conductor integrity
- Rectify any non-compliant aspects of the installation
- Issue a new electrical installation certificate if remedial work is done
Who fixes this
What it usually costs
- EV Charger Installation Cost
- £1,000–£1,000
- Electrical Fault Finding Cost
- Priced on survey
Questions people ask
My electrics keep tripping since the EV charger was installed. Is the installation at fault?
Should I have received a certificate after installation?
What if the original installer will not come back to fix it?
Does my consumer unit need upgrading for an EV charger?
What protection does an EV charger circuit need?
Sources & References
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