Essential Pre-Installation Guidelines for Electricians

Before beginning work, check the site for appropriate mounting location and electrical capacity.

  1. Ensure the homeowner has chosen an installation location that allows the charging cable to reach the car's charging port while still providing slack. Verify that a stud is available at the desired location for mounting the charging station. Additionally, check that there is Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity signal available.

    Outdoor installation is an option, but requires an outdoor-rated, weather-resistant electrical outlet or hardwired installation.

  2. Determine the desired charging amperage with the homeowner. Home Flex can be installed at a variety of amperages. Choose it based on the availability of space or electrical capacity in the panel, the desired speed of charging, and whether the homeowner prefers a hardwired or plug-in installation.

    Home Flex is a continuous load device. The circuit must be rated for 125% of the maximum load.
    Charger Ratings and Range per Hour

    Circuit Rating

    Max Load

    Estimated Range per Hour

    Plug-in

    Hardwire

    50 A

    40 A

    30 miles/48 km

    yes

    yes

    40 A

    32 A

    25 miles/40 km

    yes

    yes

    30 A

    24 A

    18 miles/29 km

    no

    yes

    20 A

    16 A

    12 miles/19 km

    no

    yes
    In Canada, a plug-in installation is only allowed with a 50 amp circuit.

    Home Flex can also be wired for higher amperages. Consult all applicable codes for breaker and wire sizing requirements. The field-wiring terminal is rated to 105 ˚C and accepts a maximum of 16 mm2 (6 AWGClosed American Wire Gauge) wire.

    Charger Ratings and Range per Hour

    Circuit Rating

    Max Load

    Estimated Range per Hour

    Plug-in

    Hardwire

    80 A

    50 A

    37 miles/60 km

    no

    yes

    70 A

    50 A

    37 miles/60 km

    no

    yes

    60 A

    48 A

    36 miles/58 km

    no

    yes
    Only use new circuit breakers. Used breakers can damage equipment and introduce the potential for an electrical fire.
    In areas with frequent thunderstorms, add surge protection at the service panel for all circuits.
    Ensure all power and ground connections, especially those at the breaker and bus bar, are clean and tight Remove all oxide from all conductors and terminals before connecting the wiring.

  1. Determine the plug type purchased by the homeowner. It is either a NEMAClosed National Electrical Manufacturers Association 6-50 or 14-50 type plug.

  2. Determine if the desired circuit rating requires a hardwired circuit.

  3. Ensure the electrical panel supports a 240 V dedicated circuit with a new, dedicated, non-GFCIClosed Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter two-pole circuit breaker, in accordance with local codes and ordinances.

    If local codes require a GFCIClosed Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter breaker for plug-in installation, ChargePoint recommends a hardwire installation. We do not recommend using a GFCIClosed Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter breaker as the Home Flex has Charging Circuit Interrupting Device (CCIDClosed Charge Circuit Interrupting Device) protection. A GFCIClosed Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter breaker in the panel causes nuisance tripping.

  4. For plug-in installations, the NEMAClosed National Electrical Manufacturers Association outlet should be located 500–660 mm (20–26 in) from the ground adjacent to the stud where the charging station will be mounted.

    The input power cable is 300 mm (12 in) long (as per the National Electric Code for EVClosed Electric Vehicle chargers). Ensure that the outlet is installed close enough to the stud for the input power cable to be plugged in.

  5. Follow all applicable codes and ordinances and pull a permit for completing the electrical work as required.

    Refer to Install Home Flex (J1772 and NACS) for additional information.