Recommends a fixed charging box
DSB recommends all electric car owners who are going to charge at home to charge via a separate charging box that is permanently mounted on the wall. Such charging boxes are mounted with a connector that is built to withstand high loads over time. The charging cable used on such charging boxes is also more robust and suitable for daily use. This is therefore the safest option for preventing fire or overloading of the electrical system. From January 2023, all new charging points set up for electric cars must be of this type.
Some cars have such a large battery capacity that a high charging current is required to charge the battery. Then it may be necessary to install a separate 32A three-phase circuit up to the charging box. In that case, you may need to apply to the grid company to increase the capacity of your subscription and increase the size of the intake fuse to the house. The electrician can do this for you.
Charging from a wall outlet
It is not forbidden to charge an electric car from a socket, but it can be difficult to assess for yourself whether your electrical system can withstand this load. Electric cars draw a lot of electricity and often over a long period of time. This can lead to overload and fire in the electrical system. As the owner of the electrical system, you should make sure that sockets and wires do not show signs of overheating, such as yellow or brown discolouration, burnt smell or crackling – note that such faults can also occur elsewhere in the house than where the electric car is connected.
If a fire occurs that causes property or people to be injured, you as the owner of the electrical system should be able to show that the electrical system has been used in a responsible manner.
Electric cars in housing associations and condominiums
For housing associations and condominiums, it is very important to assess the capacity of the electrical system before installing sockets for charging electric cars. Here you must contact a registered electrician who can map out what capacity and equipment are needed for stable and safe charging in shared garages.
In garages with many charging sockets, there is also equipment for distributing charging power and time. This is necessary if the available power is less than the demand – then all the cars can be charged without overloading the electrical system.
It will also be possible to introduce payment solutions. An electrician can give good advice on which solutions may be appropriate in the individual case.