How home charging actually works in 3 steps. -> how the electricity goes from your house to the car via the fuse box.
Step 1: The charging station has a direct connection to the meter cupboard of your house
Many people think that when charging at home, a charging point is a socket for an electric car. That is basically true. But you mainly have a charging point for the safety. But why? We explain here in 3 steps how the electricity goes from your house, via the meter cupboard to the car. What a charging point does is that it is connected with one cable directly to your meter cupboard of your house with its own group and its own earth leakage. So he doesn't use a ground fault that is shared with other groups in the house. That's because it draws so much current, it has to be wired separately and shouldn't have any taps. Connecting your garden lighting to it is absolutely not an option. The charging station must know exactly how much power it has to charge with and the fuse in the meter cupboard must also be adjusted accordingly. Very safe.
Step 2: From the electrical panel, via the charging point, to the electric car
From the meter cupboard to the charging point is now known. The charging point may look like a socket connected with one cable, but what a charging point must also be able to communicate with the electric car. That is a very important part of safety. Because before the car starts to load, they first do a so-called 'hand shake' to try if everything is safe. If it is safe, power will only be applied to the cable by the charger. This prevents loose cables or the like. If this does happen, the charger will immediately intervene and you as a user will receive a notification.
Step 3: Track and settle your charging session
The fact that a charging point mainly provides safety, it is also good for keeping track of the charging sessions. If you want to be able to settle the charging sessions and the costs of the electricity, a charging station is also useful. It is good to take this into account in advance when choosing the charging station. Because not all charging stations can settle.
You have one for settlement smart charging station required. A smart charging station needs an internet connection that can talk to a so-called back office. A back office is offered by several companies. You take out a subscription with these companies. This subscription ensures that your charger is read remotely in terms of charging sessions. So how many kWh is charged in how much time. This back office then sends an invoice to the owner of the charge card. That is often the employer. The employer thus collects the money involved and then transfers this amount back to the private person who owns the electric car.
No Step 4, but a Step down… from an ordinary socket as a charging point!
We sometimes hear that EV drivers use power from a normal socket. We really advise against that. If you charge your EV for ten hours via the 'granny charger' then it may be that with a normal socket it will melt. In addition, there are branches in the group here. As a result, a socket is not made for charging an Electric car and is therefore not safe.
In summary, why a charging station is best equipped for an EV:
- A charging station has its own cable and no branches
- Can intervene by stopping the charging session
- Can be delayed charging and most charging stations can easily settle
Charging at home and high energy costs… Delayed charging can help
One last point that is very topical, namely about home charging and the high energy costs. Because although charging at home with a correct charging station is of course very pleasant. Can this in turn lead to higher energy costs and also extra load on the energy network? To avoid this is delayed charging A good solution. Then you don't charge your EV at 6 PM when everyone else is using the grid, but in the middle of the night. Easy to set up, better for the environment and your wallet. Also read our other tips on this in the article "’Sustainably delayed charging as a solution for high energy prices'.
About ChargeMakers
ChargeMakers offers independent advice, rents, sells and installs the best suitable charging points for every situation. At home, at work, at an event or on the road. We are happy to help customers on their way to an optimal, sustainable electric experience. ChargeMakers is committed to sustainability, which is why we have entered into a partnership with WoodYouCare. WoodYouCare plants a tree for every charging station sold.
