EV - after few pointers please

[David Prosser]

WPD are now National Grid.

 

[PeakSteve]

Although an NICEIC member I did the NAPIT training course which was 2 days. (How can the NICEIC possibly do it all in 1/2 day???!)

OLEV/OZEV were indeed a nightmare to deal with, rejecting any EVHS grant claim they could possibly fault (one claim was rejected twice for not filling-in Section D! Their form, applicable at the time, had no Section D! Then I failed a OLEV random inspection for various bogus reasons: I hadn't "labelled" the 3-phase conductors (they were brown, black, grey and blue)! I had used a non fire-rated cleat to support the supply cable: (The 6mm armoured 5-core cable ran from the floor to a DB some 500mm above affixed with an SWA gland. There was NO cleat and their inspector had been looking at the wrong cable!)

However the Homecharge scheme is no more, and the Workplace scheme is much simpler.

YES you must inform the DNO! (This should have been covered in the training!)
See: Connecting electric vehicle chargepoints to the electricity network - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connecting-electric-vehicle-chargepoints-to-the-electricity-network/connecting-electric-vehicle-chargepoints-to-the-electricity-network

In essence, if your EVCP might cause the TOTAL INSTALLATION LOAD to exceed 60 Amps you must seek permission beforehand from the DNO via a Notify and Connect application. If your installation does NOT cause the total load to exceed 60 Amps (e.g. using a current limiting system as built in to various charge points like the Zappi) you may notify the DNO afterwards via a Connect and Notify form.
In the former case, my local DNO (SSE) would send out an inspector to check the supply suitability, then issue an "OK to Connect" letter.

 

[sythai]

Although an NICEIC member I did the NAPIT training course which was 2 days. (How can the NICEIC possibly do it all in 1/2 day???!)

OLEV/OZEV were indeed a nightmare to deal with, rejecting any EVHS grant claim they could possibly fault (one claim was rejected twice for not filling-in Section D! Their form, applicable at the time, had no Section D! Then I failed a OLEV random inspection for various bogus reasons: I hadn't "labelled" the 3-phase conductors (they were brown, black, grey and blue)! I had used a non fire-rated cleat to support the supply cable: (The 6mm armoured 5-core cable ran from the floor to a DB some 500mm above affixed with an SWA gland. There was NO cleat and their inspector had been looking at the wrong cable!)

However the Homecharge scheme is no more, and the Workplace scheme is much simpler.

YES you must inform the DNO! (This should have been covered in the training!)
See: Connecting electric vehicle chargepoints to the electricity network - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connecting-electric-vehicle-chargepoints-to-the-electricity-network/connecting-electric-vehicle-chargepoints-to-the-electricity-network

In essence, if your EVCP might cause the TOTAL INSTALLATION LOAD to exceed 60 Amps you must seek permission beforehand from the DNO via a Notify and Connect application. If your installation does NOT cause the total load to exceed 60 Amps (e.g. using a current limiting system as built in to various charge points like the Zappi) you may notify the DNO afterwards via a Connect and Notify form.
In the former case, my local DNO (SSE) would send out an inspector to check the supply suitability, then issue an "OK to Connect" letter.

Thanks Steve - appreciate the useful info

FYI - 1/2 day course was a load cra@p from what I remember back then, sure it was more of a sales pitch (and sponsored by) for Rolec

 

[slartybartfast]

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.

 

[123]

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.

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

 

[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 !