Surge protection devices in the past have been entirely optional in electric vehicle charger installations. However, due to new regulations, the question – do EV chargers need surge protection – is a bit more complicated than it seems.
But don’t worry – we are going to explain everything you need to know about EV chargers and surge protection.
Surge Protection Devices (SPD) are installed to protect electrical devices and appliances from power surges (sometimes referred to as transient overvoltages, if you want to get technical).
In relation to electric vehicle chargers, SPDs are typically fitted in your home’s fuse box/consumer unit at the time of installation to protect charging stations from damage.
An electrical power surge, in simple terms, is when there is a significant increase in voltage that exceeds the standard 230-volt flow. The duration is only a few seconds, but as a result, electrical equipment can be damaged or, in rare cases, destroyed if an SPD is not fitted.
Lightning strikes, faulty wiring and an electrical overload, are a few examples of what can trigger electrical power surges.
From 27th September 2022, the new 18th Edition Amendment 2 of the Wiring Regulations came into effect. With these new regulations, all new electrical circuits must have Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) fitted. Since EV charger installations include installing a new circuit, you do need surge protection according to the new regulations.
However, the new regulations also state that customers can choose to opt out of having an SPD (surge protection device) if they wish to do so, meaning the overall decision is down to you as the customer.
At We Power Your Car, we recommend that a Surge Protection Device is installed at the time of your home electric car charger installation. As EV chargers are typically installed outside (although they can be installed inside – for example, in garages), they are more susceptible to lightning strikes. And unfortunately, with the ever-changing English weather, there is a risk that lightning could strike and cause a power surge.
If damage occurs from an electrical surge, the cost to replace or repair the damaged charging equipment is significantly higher than the small cost of an SPD. And when you compare it against the price of your home EV charger, it’s only a fraction of the price.
That being said, most electric vehicle chargers installed before the first of September haven’t had an SPD installed, and we have yet to be made aware of any issues due to surges. Therefore, some might say they are not essential when it comes to home electric vehicle chargers.
Overall, we would say it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and by investing in an SPD, you know you will be protected from any unwanted electrical issues arising.
The majority of electric vehicle charger manufacturers will honour the warranty, whether SPDs are fitted or not.
However, it’s important to note that manufacturers and installation companies (such as ourselves) cannot take responsibility for any damage or failure caused by power surges if you decide against an SPD.
At We Power Your Car, we offer a wide range of home EV chargers and nationwide EV charger installation. If you are wanting surge protection to cover your home EV charger from power surges, we can install one at the time of your installation for only a small cost.
Struggling to make your decision? Speak to someone directly at 03333 44 96 99 – our expert customer service team are always happy to help.
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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.
