When to Choose a Wall Charger

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Wall chargers go by several names worldwide—you might see them called home charging stations, home chargers, home charge points, or wall boxes. These all refer to the same thing.

You don’t need a specific brand of wall charger for a particular make of car. However, if you have 3-phase power, more than one EV/PHEV, or any unique situation that makes online shopping challenging, feel free to reach out to us.

EV home charging stations are typically mounted on the wall, with electricity passing through a box and cord that enhances safety by delaying power delivery until the charger is connected to your EV. Using a home charging station or wall charger is preferred over relying solely on a standard 3-pin plug outlet and will require a dedicated circuit for safe charging.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT WALL CHARGERS

Wall Chargers have a few different names around the world. You’ll see Home charging stations/home chargers/home charge points or wall boxes advertised. These all refer to the same thing.

EV home charging stations are generally firmly mounted on the wall. The electricity goes through a box and a cord that improves safety by waiting to send power to the plug until it’s plugged into an EV.

A home charging station/Wall Charger is preferred over constant use of your 3 pin plug outlet and will require wiring a dedicated circuit to have safe charging.

SHOULD I USE A PORTABLE CHARGING CABLE OR A WALL CHARGER?

You have two options for charging: using a cable (Mode 2) with either a 3-pin plug or a caravan plug, or opting for a wall charger/home charging station (Mode 3). Both methods deliver household electricity to the car, where the vehicle’s onboard electronics convert the domestic AC power into the correct form (usually DC) to charge the battery. Keep in mind that your car has a maximum power rating, meaning it can only draw a certain amount of current – for example, a Nissan Leaf might only be able to handle 15 Amps, depending on the wiring.

First, do you charge your EV every day? If so, consider installing a wall charger at home. High-demand vehicles can increase the wear and tear on your wiring, but a wall charger is built for daily use. A wall charger with a 32 Amp rating will also provide faster charging. For more details on charging times, check out our Charging Guide.

So it depends on how far you drive each day and how much time you have to charge your car. Long-range EVs with larger batteries, like Teslas, can utilize 3-phase charging.

NOT ALL CHARGING CABLES ARE CREATED EQUAL

OEM Audio only sells our own brand EV Power EVSE which has safety features to help protect your car and property from, for example, fluctuations in the supply. All instructions must be followed for safe use. All EVSE should be purchased from a supplier who has met all the accreditation requirements as set out by WorkSafe.

We recommend that you engage a registered and licensed electrician to check your household wiring.

We don’t charge for a phone call and welcome your call for advice.

BENEFITS OF WALL CHARGERS

Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB)

DLB technology is becoming an essential feature. If you charge your EV at home while using other appliances like the oven, spa, or PC, power management will give you peace of mind—another great reason to invest in a wall charger.

Charging Safety

Constant charging from a power socket at home can lead to wear and tear and possible overheating. Also note that many manufacturers, such as Nissan, recommend using a Wall Charger.

An OEM Audio EV Power Wall Charger offers peace of mind with many safety features and the initial expense should be factored into the cost of the car.

Standards New Zealand website states “…Where an EVSE is installed at a residential installation, the charging final sub-circuit shall be protected by a Type B RCD and the sub-circuit shall originate from a MEN switchboard.” For a free download of safety standard SNZ PAS 6011:2021 for EV Charging visit the Standards.govt.nz/shop.

Charging Time

EV Power Wall Chargers will enable higher powers than the EV Power charger cables, supplying 240V, (like what an electric dryer or oven uses). Consequently, the charging time is faster. On average, an EV Power or EO Wall Charger can reduce charging time in half. Understanding the time you need to charge your vehicle will help you select the right EVSE.

Future Proof Your Premises

If you plan to have two rechargeable cars in your household in the future or want to offer charging to friends when they visit, OEM Audio has the solution.

An untethered smart wall charger allows you to alter the rate of charge to suit your needs and use the charging cable of your choice.

User Authentication

EV Power Wall Chargers solve a number of charging problems.

If you need to control access to your power supply, consider an EV Power Smart Wall Charger with RFID tags. These chargers will only operate for approved users with a matching access card.

Once you’ve selected the charger that best fits your needs, we recommend contacting a licensed electrician for installation. The electrician will need to determine the appropriate amperage panel to support your charger’s power requirements. Since chargers deliver a high level of electricity for many continuous hours each day, proper installation is crucial for safety and efficiency.

We believe the first step in purchasing EVSE is to determine which option best suits your needs. Explore our EV Charging Products Finder, give us a call, or visit us in person. Our friendly reception staff will greet you at our showroom, and our Sales Manager will assist you in choosing the right product for your car. We’ve been selling EV charging products since 2016, and we stand by both our products and our reputation.

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