EV Charging
What to Know Before Installing a Home EV Charger
Circuit size, hardwired vs. plug-in, panel capacity, and placement — a practical checklist for Level 2 charging at home.
Published
Start with your panel
A Level 2 charger is a large continuous load. Before buying a charger, find out how much capacity your panel has. A load calculation answers this; load-management devices can help when capacity is tight.
Pick the circuit size
Your car's onboard charger sets the upper limit, so more amperage isn't always faster.
- 40A circuit → up to 32A charging
- 50A circuit → up to 40A charging
- 60A circuit → up to 48A charging
Hardwired or NEMA 14-50?
Hardwired chargers allow higher power and avoid outlet wear. A 14-50 outlet is flexible but limited to 40A charging on a 50A circuit, and must be GFCI protected under current code.
Choose the location
Place the charger where the cable reaches the charge port comfortably for every vehicle you might own, and keep the run from the panel as short as practical to control cost.