The short answer is, “Most likely.” You can probably get by with a 100-amp panel if you only have a Level-I charger. However, if you have a Level-II charger, you won’t because a Level-II charger uses up to 80 amps to charge your EV.
If you have a home business that requires a fleet of EVs, and happen to have a Level-III fast charger, then you would need major work done to your home and a special panel.
Still, for a Level-II charger, you should have at least a 200-amp panel to avoid overloads and many tripped breakers. Also, you won’t have to charge your car for 30 or more hours to get a charge. A Level-II will usually do the job in eight to 12 hours.
If you have an older home and don’t have the money to upgrade to a 200-amp panel, then you can “get by” with a 100-amp panel if you use load management. In many cases, this is easy enough because you’re going to be asleep for most of the charging.
Remember, too, that you won’t need a full charge most of the time. Usually, your day will be to and from work and assorted errands that won’t need more than 100 miles of charge.
Quick Takeaways
- Most Tampa homeowners need a 200-amp electrical panel to safely support a Level-II EV charger.
- A 100-amp panel may handle a Level-I charger, but it can struggle with higher charging demands and modern household loads.
- Level-II EV chargers place a continuous electrical load on your system and often require dedicated circuits and breaker upgrades.
- Older homes with 60-amp or 100-amp panels may need electrical upgrades before installing an EV charger.
- Tampa’s heavy AC usage, electric water heaters and other appliances can increase the risk of overloaded circuits during EV charging.
- Licensed electricians calculate total household electrical demand before recommending an EV charger installation or panel upgrade.
- Sharing a dryer circuit with an EV charger is sometimes possible, but it can still create load and safety concerns.
What Is an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
Old homes have 100-amp panels. Even older homes might have 60-amp panels. Although you can use workarounds with an EV charger and a 100-amp panel, you can’t with just a 60-amp panel.
In fact, the 200-amp panel is now the accepted standard for all new home construction in the United States. It is highly recommended to move to a 200-amp panel instead of a 150-amp panel because the cost difference is only a couple of hundred dollars.
In some cases, you might have to upgrade to a 400-amp panel. That would be when you run a small business with a high electric load out of your home. An example would be a machine shop or woodworking business.
In such cases, you might have 100 amps for the house, 100-200 amps for the business, and 80 for an EV charger. A professional electrician will be able to advise you regarding what kind of panel you need.
Why EV Chargers Put More Demand on Your Electrical System
EV chargers require continuous electrical load, which means a current that has to flow for three or more hours continuously. The National Electrical Code specifies that all breakers associated with these loads must be able to handle 125% of the normal current load.
That’s because running a current for that length of time creates enormous amounts of heat. The circuit’s higher load requirement is for safety. For a Level-II EV charger drawing 80 amps, you’ll need a circuit that can withstand 100 amps of current.
Level-I EV Chargers
Even Level-I chargers require these 125% stronger breakers. Sure, they only use about 16 amps of power, but they’ll still require a breaker that can support 20 amps. They’re much slower, though, so many people opt for Level-II chargers in their homes.
Level-II EV Chargers
Your electrician will make sure that you have all the relevant breakers and connections to run your Level-II EV charger safely and efficiently. A Level-II charger requires the same kind of connection as your oven or dryer.
Many people who want a Level-II charger but cannot afford the panel upgrade have their electrician hook the EV charger to the same circuit as the dryer. That way, when they’re not doing laundry, they can use the EV charger. This, however, can still lead to load problems, so many electricians will simply recommend upgrading the panel.
Do You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade for an EV Charger?
Remember, we live in Tampa. During the summer, you will use much more power through HVAC systems than you will normally need. There’s not really any way to manage your electrical load to use an EV charger when you’re climate controlling your home. Electric water heaters contribute to your load, too, so it pays to talk to your electrician when discussing possibly installing an EV charger.
How Electricians Determine if Your Panel Can Handle an EV Charger
The “80% Rule” is just another way of explaining the 125% NEC rule for continuous loads. No breaker in your home should be loaded more than 80% of capacity. Your electrician will count up all the amperage ratings of your devices and appliances and recommend a panel size if you include an EV charger.
The next step is to split the panel into the necessary breakers to cover each room with enough power and to include the EV charger. In almost all cases, your electrician will recommend at least a 200-amp panel. This is especially true if you experience frequent breaker trips and/or flickering lights.
How Much Does an Electrical Panel Upgrade for an EV Charger Cost?
There are a number of variables, including:
- Tampa electrical code regulations
- Current load requirements
- Future load requirements
- Whether or not you need wiring upgrades
- Location of an EV charger
- Permit requirements
We’d have to meet with you to discuss which of these apply and how much it’ll cost to fulfill the necessary requirements. Then, we’ll figure out the hourly cost and the cost of the equipment together. Remember, “Don’t put up with any malarkey!” Call Mr. Sparky, Tampa’s on-time electrician.