Understanding PowerSmart
PowerSmart enables you to install a larger breaker than traditional load calculations would typically allow. For instance, in a 100-amp electrical panel that already has breakers totaling 90 amps, standard practice would limit you to adding a 10-amp breaker. However, with PowerSmart, you can install a breaker up to 60 amps, which supports charging your EV at 48 amps. PowerSmart actively monitors the panel’s total energy consumption and dynamically adjusts the EV Charger’s output to ensure that the total current drawn never exceeds 100 amps.
Breaker Sizing Guidelines
When installing the Emporia EV Charger without PowerSmart, traditional breaker sizing rules apply. Specifically, you must ensure that the breaker has at least 20% additional capacity beyond the anticipated maximum charge rate of the EV Charger.
Below is a reference chart of recommended breaker sizes based on the EV Charger’s maximum charge rate:
Anticipated Maximum Charge Rate | Recommended Breaker Size (min) |
48A | 60A, 70A, 80A (+) |
44A | 55A |
40A | 50A |
36A | 45A |
32A | 40A |
28A | 35A |
24A | 30A |
20A | 25A |
16A | 20A |
12A | 15A |
Additional Considerations
Panel Monitoring: PowerSmart ensures that your EV charging does not exceed the panel’s safe operating limit by reducing the charging rate as necessary when overall panel usage approaches its limit.
Flexibility: By allowing a higher breaker size, PowerSmart can help maximize your EV’s charging speed without requiring an expensive panel upgrade.
Additional details about breaker size and wire gauge relevant installation information can be found here.
Need More Help?
This knowledge base is continuously updated to better serve Emporia customers. If you find any part of this article unclear or have additional questions, please contact our Customer Support team. Your feedback helps us improve our resources and better support your energy management journey.