Best EV Charger without Earth Rod?

[Electron]

Plan to offer installation of EV Chargers, but not interested in using Earth Rods. I can only find two products, Zappi and Podpoint. Are there any others? Who would other EV installers recommend?

 

[Pete999]

Plan to offer installation of EV Chargers, but not interested in using Earth Rods. I can only find two products, Zappi and Podpoint. Are there any others? Who would other EV installers recommend?

Why the reticence to an Earth rod?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Zappi is the dogs -------s mate, especially for installations with solar arrays. Not looked into the pod points. Also I believe Rolec have released a chargerer with a PEN fault detectors.

If you fancy non of these and something that needs a rod your can install a Matt E device Domestic EV Installations - https://matt-e.co.uk/single-phase-connection-units/.
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Why the reticence to an Earth rod?

They are extremely hard to install correctly for a EV charger.

 

[UNG]

Zappi is the dogs -------s mate, especially for installations with solar arrays. Not looked into the pod points. Also I believe Rolec have released a chargerer with a PEN fault detectors.

If you fancy non of these and something that needs a rod your can install a Matt E device Domestic EV Installations - https://matt-e.co.uk/single-phase-connection-units/.
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They are extremely hard to install correctly for a EV charger.

You are correct Rolec have released one a few weeks ago that does not need an earth rod

 

[Pete999]

Zappi is the dogs -------s mate, especially for installations with solar arrays. Not looked into the pod points. Also I believe Rolec have released a chargerer with a PEN fault detectors.

If you fancy non of these and something that needs a rod your can install a Matt E device Domestic EV Installations - https://matt-e.co.uk/single-phase-connection-units/.
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They are extremely hard to install correctly for a EV charger.

IN WHAT WAY?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

IN WHAT WAY?

When you install the rod for a EV Charger it needs to be 2 Metres away from any services bonded to a TN system. So any underground metal works such as gas pipes etc. Also the car needs to be 2m away from anything on a different earthing system when charging, so if you can touch your car and Mrs Jones next doors outside tap, it can’t happen.
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Absolute nightmare.

 

[Electron]

Why the reticence to an Earth rod?

I have three concerns. Firstly getting a good enough earth in an area which is very sandy and avoiding other services, water, gas and the 2 metre space between incoming electrical cables. Finally, avoiding the extra work involved compared to products like the Zappi chargers.
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Zappi is the dogs -------s mate, especially for installations with solar arrays. Not looked into the pod points. Also I believe Rolec have released a chargerer with a PEN fault detectors.

If you fancy non of these and something that needs a rod your can install a Matt E device Domestic EV Installations - https://matt-e.co.uk/single-phase-connection-units/.
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They are extremely hard to install correctly for a EV charger.

The Matt E device looks like you still need to add on a charging point. So, it's not such a comprehensive solution like the Zappi.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

I have three concerns. Firstly getting a good enough earth in an area which is very sandy and avoiding other services, water, gas and the 2 metre space between incoming electrical cables. Finally, avoiding the extra work involved compared to products like the Zappi chargers.
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The Matt E device looks like you still need to add on a charging point. So, it's not such a comprehensive solution like the Zappi.

The MattE goes inside next to the board mate. So off a MCB or Henleys into the Matt E then out to the charger. It’s a solution to the charging point that requires a Earth rod. I agree the Zappi is superior, however the coat is probably £2-300 more than a Matt E and Rolec Smart together.

 

[Zerax]

I heard about the Ohme charger the other day... and was impressed with the way it used the Octopus Agile tariff to find the cheapest 30min time slots to charge from. Does the Zappie do this ? Do other chargers do this ?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Andersen A2
Looks stunning and does not need an earth rod, the next version of it released next year will really give the Zappi a run for its money on the renewables front, you can link the A2 to solar now but not many people do this.
For looks I would go for the Andersen unit it is nearly £1000 though, so not in everybodys budget, for technical features the Zappi, especially if you got a 60 amp fuse as it has a very simple ct clamp feature.

Project EV make a charger that does not need a TT rod, not a great fan of it though.
as mentioned the Pod Point solo is alright, fitted 2 this week, very well priced compared to its competitors.

the key is the tariff, octopus are by far the best in my view, the agile and go tariffs are excellent, whether you programme the charger or car is very much dependant on which car and charger you have to get the best tariff.

 

[Midwest]

Andersen A2
Looks stunning and does not need an earth rod, the next version of it released next year will really give the Zappi a run for its money on the renewables front, you can link the A2 to solar now but not many people do this.
For looks I would go for the Andersen unit it is nearly £1000 though, so not in everybodys budget, for technical features the Zappi, especially if you got a 60 amp fuse as it has a very simple ct clamp feature.

Project EV make a charger that does not need a TT rod, not a great fan of it though.
as mentioned the Pod Point solo is alright, fitted 2 this week, very well priced compared to its competitors.

the key is the tariff, octopus are by far the best in my view, the agile and go tariffs are excellent, whether you programme the charger or car is very much dependant on which car and charger you have to get the best tariff.

Are these devices, the ones that monitor the voltage between line & neutral?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Are these devices, the ones that monitor the voltage between line & neutral?

essentially yes, there is a good video online from efixx / myenergi who make the zappi that explains how it monitors the voltage between conductors to determine if there is an open-pen fault. they had to present it to the iet to get approval.

 

[Midwest]

essentially yes, there is a good video online from efixx / myenergi who make the zappi that explains how it monitors the voltage between conductors to determine if there is an open-pen fault. they had to present it to the iet to get approval.

I've read the zappi link and watched JW vid on the subject and both talk about the issue of monitoring the voltage, and the fact that an unbalance 3 phase load, that in some cases with a broken pen conductor the voltages won't be outside of the 207 -253. Then the that 70v, could be higher. Does the zappi have this sensing coil, similar to an RCD? This also seems to have its issues.

 

[pc1966]

I think the Zappi has some sort of "3-pole RCD" to detect an earth fault current from MET to outdoors, probably as well as out-of-range voltage trip.

There was a video on it at some point, no real info, just saying how theirs is better than the TT/rod or Matt:E approaches.

 

[Midwest]

I think the Zappi has some sort of "3-pole RCD" to detect an earth fault current from MET to outdoors, probably as well as out-of-range voltage trip.

There was a video on it at some point, no real info, just saying how theirs is better than the TT/rod or Matt:E approaches.

From the JW vid I've watched, because a car is isolated from earth, this 'RCD' will only work when someone is stood on true earth touches the car metal work. I don't what the Zappi charger actually does, but they've applied for a patent, so are not saying much.

The Podpoint seems to use the same voltage monitoring system. But no mention of the 'RCD' device.