Consumer unit for EV

[davecooper]

I am about to get some quotes for replacing my ancient consumer unit. The chances are I will be considering an EV in the future but will not be getting a charging point fitted until then. Will this have any bearing on the type of consumer unit I have fitted? I imagine this is something I will have to mention to the engineer anyway. Thanks.

 

[Murdochcat]

Just make sure your specify that any new CU must be capable of adding in an EV circuit later

This means a unit which must accept double pole RCBO’s

 

[ericmark]

Many EV charge points are fitted by the supplier, and often the suppliers rules means the electrician doing the work can't use your existing consumer unit (CU) anyway.

The suppliers like Octopus have been doing such good deals with lower tariffs if they fit the charge point etc, it is really unfair competition for the independents.

I know I am slowly swapping type AC single pole switching uni-directional RCBOs, for type A double pole switching bidirectional RCBOs, but nothing forces you to change.

The new breed of EV can run bidirectional and move off-peak to peak times for the home to use, but this is rather new, and I don't know how many cars allow this?

But it does mean many RCDs will need changing for bidirectional.

 

[davecooper]

Thanks. I will mention this to the installer. Come the day, I will see what my local companies charge for EV charging installation. I am with Octopus but they are not my favourite people at the moment. No award winning customer service for me, but that's another story.

 

[chivers67]

Henley Block and a Separate Feed with a dedicated unit in the future could easily be installed.

 

[Rodders53]

Speak to your proposed Sparks... Many will supply and fit EVSEs, with the make of your choice; and be more flexible in positioning rather than what is quick an easy to do.

It can be slightly complicated if Solar Panels and / or Battery storage is present or wanted in the future... Then a separate EVSE CU or a split to allow house load, total load and solar/battery use via CT monitoring.

My EVSE is in the (new) main CU with all DP switched RCBOs. Installer usually only used SP switched RCBOs for 'normal' circuits, but I wanted DP for fault finding isolation purposes. Cost me a fiver per circuit extra iirc.