ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATIONS

Image by Rick Payette via Flickr

Electric car sales are increasing and therefore the need (or at least the future need) of charging stations.  Charging stations are being added in residential garages, carports and exterior parking areas, as well as parking garages of commercial and government buildings.  I have even seem them popping up in municipal bus stations and parking lots.

New homes should (at the very least) install the rough-in capabilities of adding a charging station for the future.  Existing homes whose owners have purchased electric cars, need to retro-fit their electrical system to accommodate a station.

Many manufactures are making slick units Leviton makes a 20-amp, 120-volt unit and a 20-amp, 240-volt unit for commercial and public use.  They come with a flexible cord and cord body ready to plug into your auto, and LED read- outs that tell you when it’s charging, or when the battery has reached full charge.  The unit may be plugged into an outlet or wired directly.

TO INSTALL A CHARGING STATION:

1. Purchase the unit you need for your home.
2. Determine if it is 120-volt or 240-volt, 20-amps (let’s assume it is 120-volt).
3. Select a location in the garage or outside, for the unit to be installed.
4. Install a 12/2 Romex cable wire between the panel and the unit.
5. Mount the charging station securely to the wall.  Install and hook-up the 12/2 Romex cable.  Be sure the green or bare bonding wire is secured under the proper terminal.
6. Since the unit is in the garage or outside the home, it must be on a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) circuit, by installing a GFI breaker or installing a GFI receptacle at the charging station and pluging the station into it.

 Romex is a registered trademark of the Southwire Company.