Choosing the correct EV charger cable size is crucial for successful charging. If you don’t have a suitable cable, you won’t be able to charge your EV. There are several important factors to consider to make sure you select the appropriate size cable. This blog post will answer the question, “What size cable do I need for an EV charger?” and help you make an informed decision.
An EV charging cable is a crucial tool that links your EV charger to your electric vehicle. It has two ends – one connects to the socket on the chargepoint, and the other connects to the socket on the electric car. EV charger cables are designed to safely transfer power from a power source to your electric vehicle, ensuring a smooth charging process. Whether at home or public charging stations, having a reliable charging cable is essential to charge your electric car.
Firstly, EV charging cables can be categorised based on how they are connected to the chargepoint. They can either be tethered, where the cable is attached to the chargepoint, or socketed, where the cable is separate from the charger. To learn more about the differences between tethered and untethered EV chargers, refer to our blog for detailed information.
EV charging cables also vary in the type of connectors they have. These connectors, such as type 1, type 2, CCS, and CHAdeMO, play a vital role in ensuring compatibility between the cable and the inlet of your electric vehicle. Matching the connector type to your EV’s inlet is crucial for efficient charging. For instance, if your electric vehicle has a type 2 inlet, you need a cable type with a type 2 connector.
CCS (combined charging system) and CHAdeMO connectors are only used for rapid charging and always come attached to public charging points. So, you wouldn’t need to buy separate chargers for these connector types. As such, you would only need to decide on a type 1 or type 2 cable for fast charging at home and in public.
For more information about the difference between type 1 and type 2 chargers, read our blog.
Moreover, EV charging cables differ in their current ratings, which indicate the maximum electrical current they can safely handle. You should choose a cable with a current rating that matches your EV charger’s charge rate. This is necessary to avoid damage and ensure you can use the charger’s full power.
For example, if you own a single-phase 7kW home EV charger, you need to get a single phase cable with a current rating of at least 32 amps to ensure the cable can handle the full charging capacity of the charger.
Moreover, if you have a 22kW EV charger and a three-phase electricity supply, you must buy a three-phase cable.
Furthermore, considering the length of an EV charging cable is also crucial. The cable size can impact its convenience and usability, depending on your charging setup. In this blog, we delve into the factors to consider when selecting what size cable for an EV charger you need.
EV charging cables are typically 4 to 10 meters long. But you can find shorter or longer cables, from 2.5m to over 20m.
For example, most tethered EV chargers have a 5-meter cable that remains permanently connected to the charging unit. Similarly, the charging cables that come with an electric vehicle are commonly around 5 meters long.
Many individual factors should be considered when deciding what size EV charging cable you should buy. When determining your EV charging cable length, you should consider the following:
Consider where you intend to install the charging point in your home. Measure the distance between your EV and where you want the charger installed to determine the appropriate cable length. Adding a bit of extra length is advisable to accommodate flexibility and prevent any cable strain that could damage the charger. At the same time, avoid selecting an excessively long cable as it may pose a tripping hazard for individuals passing by.
Having a longer charging cable for your car charger gives you greater flexibility for different situations that may arise. For instance, if you decide to park your vehicle in a different location at home, a longer cable would be beneficial. A longer cable could be particularly useful if you move to a new house where the charging point is further away from the parking spot.
Moreover, you might require a longer type of cable if you switch to a new electric vehicle with a charging socket located further away than your current one, such as the front of the car rather than the side. By anticipating these potential scenarios, having a longer cable on hand ensures you are prepared for any changes.
Longer EV charging cables can be heavy and difficult to carry from place to place. For example, when you want to charge your electric vehicle in public and at home, carrying a long, heavy charging cable and stowing it in your vehicle’s boot can be awkward. In contrast, opting for a shorter charging cable can make transportation much simpler and more convenient for you.
Consider choosing a smaller cable size if you mainly charge your electric vehicle at home. This is because your home charger is often located near your parking spot. On the other hand, if you frequently rely on public chargers, opt for a slightly longer cable. Public charging stations can have varying distances between the charger and the parking space, so a longer cable may be more convenient.
A shorter cable length is usually enough when charging your electric vehicle at home. With a shorter cable, EV owners can easily connect their cars to a home charge point, which is often mounted on a wall near where they park. This length also helps prevent the cable from getting tangled and makes storing it more convenient when the charger is not being used.
Some public charge points provide cables for your electric vehicle, while others need you to bring and plug in your own. So, if you often use public chargers, consider buying a longer charging cable for your electric car. This way, you’ll be prepared for varying distances between the charger and the parking spot at different public charging locations.
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Choosing what size cable for an EV car charger depends on various factors specific to each person. However, in our view, a cable between 5-10 meters strikes a perfect balance. This length provides flexibility for different charging scenarios while also ensuring future compatibility. Moreover, cables in this range are not excessively costly, bulky, or difficult to manage when storing or carrying them.
If you own a tethered EV charger that is already installed but find that your tethered cable is too short, you can buy extension cables and adapters to make it longer. But, it’s important to be careful when using these accessories because they can lead to overheating and voltage drops, affecting the charging speed and creating safety risks.
The solution is more straightforward for those with untethered EV charging points who need a longer cable. You can purchase a new EV cable and connect it to your charging station, making the charging process easy and convenient.
In short, when it comes to the question – “what size cable for an electric car charger in the UK?” – this is what you need to know to ensure you choose the right cable size for your EV charger.
If you want a home EV charger installation, please call our team on 03333 44 96 99 or fill in the contact form below. Our expert advisors are available seven days a week to offer unbiased advice and provide a free, no-obligation quote.
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This type of electric charger has it's own cable to charge your car.
This type of electric charger requires a seperate cable to charge your car.
Spread over a 60 month period.
Tenants and homeowners are eligible for finance.
You decide the amount of months.
Minimum of £1000.
We will contact you to process the credit application. Approval is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. 13.9% APR representative. T&Cs apply.
Your order is not confirmed until your application has been approved.
We lay SWA cable laid at 600mm deep, with a protective cable warning tape laid 150mm above the cable. These are laid on a sand or sifted sand soil bed then backfilled.
We position overhead cables at a minimum height of 3.5m and are run along a catenary wire. The cable run should not be accessible to vehicles.
Standard Installation
Our instant price is fixed if it falls within our standard installation package plus any additions that you have selected (extra cabling for example). This package covers the majority of homes in the UK. Before we undertake your installation we will carry out a digital survey to check that nothing has been missed. After reviewing the survey results some additional work may be required in order to complete your installation safely and to the required standards. If this is the case, we will contact you well before the installation date and advise the cost of any required work. You can then continue with your installation, or alternatively we will refund you in full if you do not want to proceed.
Included in our standard installation is :
• Fitting of a single phase charge point to a brick or plaster wall or other suitable permanent structure
• Up to 10 metres of cable, run and neatly clipped to the wall between the electricity supply meter / distribution board and the charge point.
• Routing of the cable through a drilled hole in a wall up to 500mm (20 inches) thick if this is needed.
• The fitting and testing of electrical connections and protections required for the charge point.
• An additional three way consumer unit, if required
• Installation of a Type A RCBO in an RCBO enclosure
• Up to 3 metres of plastic trunking to conceal interior wiring.
• An O-pen earth protection device if the charge point requires it. (This is NOT an earth rod)
• Up to 4 hours of labour from your installer to complete the work.
• Electrical testing of the whole installation.
• Handover and setup of the charge point and any app that may be needed.
Not included in our standard installation (additional work) :
• Where the installation requires additional cabling over and above the amount you have told us about.
• Upgrade/replacement of the main incoming supply fuse where the local DNO (eg Northern Powergrid) would need to attend site.
• If the charge point is to be mounted on a post/pedestal rather than an existing wall and where you have not selected a post as an extra cost option in your order.
• Installation of a charge point to a three phase supply.
• Where gas and water mains bonding (earthing) is not in place at your property. If this is not in place, additional work would be required before installation of the charge point.
• Any groundwork that has not been selected during the order process.
A Surge Protection Device is not included in our standard installation.
What else you need to know :
• On the day of installation, please ensure that the area around your consumer unit (fuse box), incoming electricity supply meter and proposed charge point location (including where the cable is expected to be run) is clear and free of obstructions.
• We will need your WiFi password as part of the installation process in order to connect your charge point to the internet. Please have this available for the installer. Details will not be kept.
• The charge point must be on your own designated off road parking.
• The charger will be fixed in line with current guidelines at a height where it cannot be hit by a vehicle.
• Our installers are not able to enter loft spaces; lift floorboards or flooring; take apart any furniture of work above a height of 2m. If you anticipate that any of this may be required, then please contact us and we can discuss in more detail and provide you with a quotation.
• Should there be extreme weather conditions our installers may not be able to continue with you installation if it is not safe to do so (for example flooding). They will always do their best to complete the work where they can.
If you have any questions then please contact our customer service team who will be happy to help. Please also read our terms and conditions.
