Domestic Electric Vehicle charger and special location

[BlueSmoke]

The company i work for say that a domestic Electric Vehicle charger is not to be recorded as a special location on the certificate.

Is this correct?

I've made the argument that the installation requires consideration of the requirments laid out in section 7, therefor it is deemed a special location. But they're adamant and have suggested that continuing to log them as special locations will be viewed as not following company proceedures...... (i can guess how that will end), but they've not made any attempt to explain why or to justified there postion on this.

I would like know if i'm correct/incorrect on the matter, or if my understanding is incompleate and i'm missing something.

(I have a paper trail showing that i've raised the point, and what they've said, so i think i'm covered legally)

 

[westward10]

Under Section 722 it is deemed a Special Location.

 

[BlueSmoke]

Under Section 722 it is deemed a Special Location.

exactly my point, thank you

 

[westward10]

Some people's minds only see bathrooms as special locations the amount of EICRs I have audited where other special locations apply but it is noted as NA.

 

[DefyG]

I would agree that it is in section 7 (The actual title being "Special Installations OR Locations") and therefore in my mind an area of 'special Installation' but not necessarily Location'.
But what makes it 'special' as it cant be that most are mounted outside as some are installed inside buildings!
And remembering a discussion with our area assessor outdoor lighting (714) is also deemed a special location according to BBB - unless as our NICEIC assessors view was that if mounted on the actual dwelling and wiring to the lights is internal it shouldn't be classed as a special location! and perhaps as most EVCP are mounted on an outside wall in our assessors eyes that fact doesn't render them a 'special location' if wired internally?
Its the earthing/OCD/RCD etc. requirements that make them a special installation.
Interested on others views but I've always considered them per section 7 as a 'Special Installation'.

 

[littlespark]

Page 241 of the BBB lists "Special Installations and Locations" with, for example, 701 being rooms containing a bath or shower.... as its always been...... 708 is Caravan Parks.... 714 is Outdoor Lighting Installations... interestingly......

And 722 is Electric Vehicle Charging Installations

The section doesnt differentiate between domestic, and more "on-street" or commercial type charging... so it must cover ALL charging installations.... even if its a straightforward job... it still needs noted that its a special installation or location.

You cant just "N/A" it if its there.

 

[Risteard]

Unquestionably it is a Special Location (Section 722), and this must be recorded on the Certificate. Particular requirements apply to EVSE installations.

 

[UNG]

I think the problem with the regs is the use of the word "Special" and defining installations or parts of installations with enviromental or other influencing factors as special and then you have the use of special, specialist, specialised etc in the wider industry where advanced training or certification may be needed to carry out these installations creates some confusion for some
The problem has been further exacerbated by the industry over the last 30 years or so hiving off a lot of what was the normal work for an electrician into numerous specialist area / sectors with many needing a new course and cert every 3 - 5 years to keep the money go round turning
So do the regs need a better descriptive for Special Installations and Locations, after all how many customers would consider a bath or shower room or an EV chargepoint as a special installation or location if you move on to the minimal training needed to be considered an "electrician" these days and I have been told by a few people who have employed guys at this level that basic central heating controls are a special(ist) thing to them and we don't do them yet they don't even list in section 7 but rewiring the bathroom does
When you look at an EV chargepoint all it is is an advanced type of socket outlet is it really that special that it is classed as a special installation the problem then is finding a better way of categorising it to remove the "special"
When looking through what is classed a a special installation / location I have never understood why the installation of TT earth rods isn't listed when it can be quite a critical item in some installations and there can be a lot more to it than just knocking in a 3 or 4 foot rod and clamping a cable to it

 

[mainline]

When you look at an EV chargepoint all it is is an advanced type of socket outlet is it really that special that it is classed as a special installation the problem then is finding a better way of categorising it to remove the "special"

The regs for an EV charging point installation are there for good reason.

I don't think comparing it to a glorified socket outlet is reasonable.

Supply capacity
number of phases
earthing system
existing maximum demand
desired location
verify if the premises are on a looped supply
Each EV charging point has to be connected to its own individual circuit
additional considerations for these long hour loads.
Connecting EV circuits to plastic consumer units is not recommended
If the EV charging point is going to charge the vehicle outside, and the installation has a PME earthing system, then Section 722 requires one of 5 the listed provisions for shock protection set out in Regulation 722.55.101.0.201.1. Where the DNO has supplied an earth to the premises from an incoming cable, regardless of the appearance of the connection to the cable, it is highly likely to be a TN-C-S (PME) due to repairs to the cables in the street using a Combined Neutral and Earth (CNE) cable. Alternatively, the EV point can be isolated from a PME supply earth using an isolating transformer complying with Regulation 722.413.1.2.

These additional measures are intended to protect persons against shock, if the PME PEN conductor becomes open circuit the vehicle body may become live even if the supply is disconnected or any circuit protection trips. A person touching the body of the vehicle, whilst in contact with the ground or an exposed or extraneous conductive part, could receive a fatal shock.


Alternatively, the EV charging point could utilise a TT earthing system by connecting it to an earth electrode and not the supply earth. The EV charging Point RCD then will provide Fault and Additional Protection. However, the earth electrode will need to have a separation distance between any underground metallic pipe work connected to the supply earth via main protective bonding. This is to prevent a transfer of potential from the PME earth and the TT electrode, DNOs will have minimum separation distances usually greater than 3m.

To prevent the RCD from being rendered inoperable by any stray DC currents the RCD as a minimum has to be a Type A with additional RDC-DD protection. Type B RCD protection can be used without RDC-DD protection. Full compliance with one of the listed RCD BS ENs has to be achieved.


Some EV charging products do not have individual RCDs inside but rely on electronic protection on a printed circuit board these, are not compliant with the full range of requirements of the RCD standards and should not be used. Look for the presence of a user RCD test button as this is one of the RCD standards requirements. For any EV charging point ask for a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) from the manufacturer listing all the BS or BS EN requirements set out in Section 722. The charging equipment, or the packaging, should have a CE, or UKCA or UKNI marking. Manufactures of quality equipment will only be too pleased to provide their DoC and may even list it on their web site.