In the past, Surge Protection Devices have been entirely optional in electric vehicle charger installations. However, due to new wiring regulations (18th Edition Amendment 2) that came into force in September 2022, the question – Do EV chargers need Surge Protection? – is no longer a straightforward answer. In fact, it’s up to you as to whether you want a Surge Protection Device to protect your electric car charger from power surges.
But don’t worry – we are going to explain everything you need to know about EV chargers and Surge Protection, including what a Surge Protection Device is, who can install EV charger Surge Protection Devices and answer whether you should invest in a Surge Protection Device.
Surge Protection Devices (SPD) are installed to protect electrical devices and appliances – including EV chargers – from power surges (sometimes referred to as transient overvoltages, if you want to get technical).
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.
Surge Protection Devices divert the excess power from a power surge into the earth instead of it reaching your electrical appliances, offering an additional layer of protection and safety.
For EV chargers, a Surge Protection Device (SPD) is fitted in your home’s fuse box/consumer unit at the time of your EV charger installation, protecting your EV charger, your home and you from unforeseen power surges.
On 27th September 2022, the new 18th Edition Amendment 2 of the Wiring Regulations came into effect. Within these 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, it’s stated that 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 with your EV charger according to the new wiring regulations.
However, the new regulations also state that customers can opt out of having a Surge Protection Device at the time of their EV charger installation if they wish to do so, meaning the overall decision of whether or not to have a surge protection device 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, while there is no problem charging your EV in the rain, 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 2021 haven’t had an SPD installed. Therefore, some might say they are not essential when it comes to home electric vehicle chargers.
But, overall, we would say it’s always better to be safe than sorry. By investing in an SPD, you know you will be protected from any unwanted electrical issues arising – so, in our professional opinion, it is worth getting a surge protection device for your EV charger for added peace of mind.
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.
Similarly to how only professionals should install electric vehicle charging points – do not try to undertake an EV charger installation yourself – Surge Protection Devices should only be installed by qualified and experienced electrical professionals.
Why? Because handling electricity can be dangerous, and what’s more, if the Surge Protection Device is not installed correctly, it would leave your EV charger vulnerable to power surges.
At We Power Your Car, we offer a wide range of the best home EV chargers. If you are wanting a home EV charger and Surge Protection, we can install one at the time of your installation for only a small cost. In fact, we can install home electric vehicle chargers wherever you are in the UK with our network of expert engineers – all with first-class customer service (don’t believe us? View our Trustpilot)
Struggling to make your decision? Speak to someone directly at 03333 44 96 99 – our expert customer service team are always happy to help. Alternatively, fill in the contact form below.
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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.
