EV home charging

'The change in NEK 400:2022, effective from July 1, 2022, pertains to electrical low-voltage installations. It entails that it is no longer possible to install a grounded household outlet for daily or regular electric car charging purposes.

This means that if charging is the purpose of the installation, you must install a charging box with a Type 2 connector.

A charging box or charging station is the only safe and legal alternative because it eliminates misuse and provides additional safety margins. It also allows for faster charging if your power system has sufficient capacity. To determine the charging power you can get, this is something you need to check with an electrician.

The "old-fashioned" way of charging the electric car through the so-called "Schuko" outlet is no longer a legal way to charge your electric vehicle. This is because electric cars require stronger residual current devices. To explain what the "Schuko" is, it's usually the bulky charger that connects to the car and a standard household outlet. Charging through such an outlet, especially if the electrical wiring is old or too weak, can lead to overheating or even a fire. According to the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB), charging with the "Schuko" outlet is only allowed for emergency situations.

Here's what you should follow if you need to "emergency charge":

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  The outlet should be on a separate circuit.
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  The circuit should be rated at a maximum of 10 amperes.
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  It is required to have a type B residual current device.
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  The charging box should hang on a hook to avoid damage from the weight.
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  The cable and connector should be regularly checked for overheating.
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  Avoid using extension cords as this can lead to overloading, short circuits, insulation damage, and electric shock.