Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid During Electric Car Charger Installation
Installing an EV charger at home? Avoid these common mistakes with guidance from trusted electricians in Ireland, and get it right the first time.
Table of Contents
Not Hiring a Qualified Electrician for Installation
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make with electric car charger installation is assuming any general contractor or handyman can do the job. In reality, EV charger setups require precise electrical work, safety checks, and certification, especially if you’re applying for SEAI grants or installing a high-powered unit like a 7kW or 22kW charger.
Hiring a qualified, experienced electrician ensures the installation is fully compliant with Irish regulations (like ETCI rules and Safe Electric standards). They’ll assess your current fuse board, determine if it can handle the extra load, and suggest upgrades if needed. If not done correctly, your system could overload, trip circuits, or even pose fire risks.
In Kildare and surrounding areas, Lux Electrical Contractors provides certified installations with safety testing and grant eligibility in mind. Our team handles everything from site inspection to installation and testing, and we also future-proof your setup for next-gen EVs and smart charging systems.
💡 If you’re looking for a Kildare electrician to install your home EV charger safely and efficiently, check out our electric car charger installation services to learn more.
Choosing the Wrong Charger Type for Your Home or Vehicle
Another common misstep during electric car charger installation is choosing the wrong charger type, either one that’s too slow, too expensive, or incompatible with your home’s setup or your car’s charging needs.
For example, 3.6kW chargers may be cost-effective but painfully slow for most modern EVs. On the other hand, 22kW fast chargers offer speed but often require three-phase power, which many Irish homes don’t have. That’s where a 7.4kW charger becomes the “sweet spot” for most residential settings, offering solid charging speed on a standard single-phase supply.
It’s also important to choose between tethered and untethered units, especially if you drive more than one EV brand. A good electrician will help you understand cable compatibility, smartphone app controls, timed charging features, and the difference between dumb chargers and smart chargers eligible for grants.
If you’re unsure what to choose, your installer should walk you through it, not just sell you whatever they have in stock.
🔌 For professional guidance on charger selection and setup, explore our EV charger installation in Ireland page and speak with one of our experienced installers.
Ignoring the Fuse Board and Home Power Capacity
Before you even think about mounting a charger on the wall, you need to know whether your home’s electrical system can safely handle it. Unfortunately, many homeowners make the mistake of jumping into electric car charger installation without upgrading or even inspecting their fuse board.
Older homes in Ireland, especially those built before the 1990s, often have outdated consumer units with limited protection or load capacity. Connecting a modern EV charger to these setups without any upgrade can lead to tripped switches, poor charging performance, or worse… safety hazards.
A proper installation should start with a home energy audit by your electrician. They’ll determine if your fuse board needs upgrading and whether load balancing is required (especially if you have other high-demand appliances like electric showers or heat pumps).
At Lux Electrical Contractors, we assess every part of your system to ensure your new charger works reliably from day one. And if you need a fuse board upgrade, we’ll handle that too, no guesswork, just a safe, modern setup.
🛠️ Learn more about our fuse board upgrade services in Kildare and how they support smart EV charging.
