EV - after few pointers please

[sythai]

Hi Guys

Not been involved with any EV much as of yet. But time has come now with new LABC regs that we have to fit on all new builds.

Did the Niceic (think was 1/2 day) EV course 2-3 years ago, then signed myself up as a pod-point installer.

That was about it ! All the OLEV paperwork put me off, looked like a right headache !
Also bit concerned that wouldn't be able to figure out set up for any app to get it working after install - I'm not so tecchy, but my younger employees probably figure it out.

Did get quite a lot of customer enquires and if we ever went quiet was going to do a few - never happened though.

So all we've done to date is put in the 1st fixes ready for any EV point at a later date.

Few questions if you can help on please :

- Do I have to inform ENA / WPD of every EV point we install, even if has load limiter on it ?

- How do I inform ENA / WPD is this all on line ?

- Can I install any EV charger or do I have to be 'approved by the manufacturer' cant remember the benefit of becoming 'pod-point installer maybe longer warranty ?

- Any EV chargers you recommend the are easy on final set up assuming they all have an app ? Or maybe there's some that dont need the an app.

- Been specified on a new build coming : Zappi 22kW, anyone fitted this unit ?

Thanks Sy

 

[MJPD29]

Well if its a new build, then its a new connection. There is no real cost difference between single and three phase connection so may as well order 3 phase. When you order the connection, they ask what it is for (new build, 3Ph EVSE etc) and put it on the quote and job, so you have effectively informed them. Simples.

Sounds like you haven't been involved in organising supplies to buildings before, there will likely be a very large difference In single and three phase.

 

[Midwest]

There's a guy on our new build estate, that managed to secure a plot for his own purposes. He's had a 3 phase supply connected. Has solar panels on the roof, and apparently intends to have 2 x ev points. I'd love to have a snoop around inside! Only ever seen his van parked outside.

 

[slartybartfast]

Might find there to be a significant cost difference between a single phase and three phase connection, sometimes in the tens of thousands more.

Having had domestic 3 phase installed myself last week (in addition to existing 1Ph), it involves:

Customer digging suitable trench and laying ducting to edge of boundary.

Plus DNO doing the following:

1. Dig & expose cable in pavement / road
2. Run cable to property (via customer pre-installed ducting)
3. Terminate at property with cutout & fuses
4. Perform live joint to cable in pavement.
5. Test.
6. Reinstate pavement / road

Quite a labour intensive process that taps into three phase in the street. Essentially the only difference between single phase and three phase installation is the number of cores in cable and at the joint, size of the cut out (1 fuse vs 3 fuses). Bottom line - the cost difference between a 1Ph and 3Ph installation will be nominal...

Quotes from DNO are free, so when asking for price, as for both 1 & 3 Phase installation costs.

 

[MJPD29]

Having had domestic 3 phase installed myself last week (in addition to existing 1Ph), it involves:

Customer digging suitable trench and laying ducting to edge of boundary.

Plus DNO doing the following:

1. Dig & expose cable in pavement / road
2. Run cable to property (via customer pre-installed ducting)
3. Terminate at property with cutout & fuses
4. Perform live joint to cable in pavement.
5. Test.
6. Reinstate pavement / road

Quite a labour intensive process that taps into three phase in the street. Essentially the only difference between single phase and three phase installation is the number of cores in cable and at the joint, size of the cut out (1 fuse vs 3 fuses). Bottom line - the cost difference between a 1Ph and 3Ph installation will be nominal...

Quotes from DNO are free, so when asking for price, as for both 1 & 3 Phase installation costs.

That's the only difference between single phase and 3 phase? Are you sure? Jesus this electrical carry on isn't so complicated after all

 

[slartybartfast]

That's the only difference between single phase and 3 phase? Are you sure? Jesus this electrical carry on isn't so complicated after all

Yes. Absolutely.

Here's a couple of pix showing junction with main 3P feed in street - my 3P feed curls to bottom and right to the yellow safety tape.

I went large on equipment housing. This will house meter (yet to be supplied), 3P Distribution Board, an EVSE, mains sockets & WiFi Mesh Repeater (the gear that is there is temporarily wired in and fed from house). All this talk about not being able to house equipment in the meter box is utter tosh....the DNO were fine with it and went as far as to say this was a bloody good idea.

Also had no issue having 3P installed as well as keeping the existing 1P feed, which is neat as metering for each will be completely separate.

Currently looking into a 60-240KW DC charger with 2 x CCS connectors - so will be able to charge 2 x Teslas from flat to 100% in an hour at same time - Autel MaxiCharger DC Fast 60-240kW - EV Charging - Sevadis - https://sevadis.com/product/autel-maxicharger-dc-fast-charger-60-240kw/

And yes, this is domestic !

 

[plugsandsparks]

What KVA have the DNO supplied as that looks like a 70KVA max head. So if you want 80KW for charging you will struggle,

 

[slartybartfast]

What KVA have the DNO supplied as that looks like a 70KVA max head. So if you want 80KW for charging you will struggle,

Yes correct - 70KVA (3off 100A fuses). As with EVSE's, the DC charger can be configured to limit power delivery so the main fuses don't blow.

 

[nicebutdim]

I got a quote for 3 phase upgrade some years back, the cost for which I wouldn't describe as nominal.

It involved no trenching, but did include several poles, a lot of expensive cable and a new transformer. I imagine the cost would now be a quite significant five figure sum as nothing has changed with local distribution.

 

[slartybartfast]

Sounds like you haven't been involved in organising supplies to buildings before, there will likely be a very large difference In single and three phase.

Well lets say you are building a housing estate. Developer will arrange for DNO to lay 3-phase in the pavement on each side of the road. That is the expensive part.

Each house then needs a feed and here you have a choice of single or 1 or 3 phase cable / cut our, and that's the bit with nominal material cost difference and almost zero labour difference.