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Common Installation Questions
Updated over 7 months ago

1. Do I need a professional electrician to install the EV Charger?

In many situations, local electrical codes will require a licensed electrician to install the EV Charger. If this requirement does not apply to your situation and you are comfortable working with 240V electrical systems, a self-installation is possible. More information.

2. Does Emporia Energy provide a list of qualified installers/electricians?

In select areas of the US, you can purchase an Emporia EV Charger along with professional installation from one of our partner electricians. To check availability in your area, please visit: install.emporiaenergy.com.

3. What about ground fault protection?

The EV Charger includes built-in ground fault protection. Therefore, we highly recommend not installing the charger on a GFCI breaker as this can cause nuisance tripping. For more information on GFCI protections and installing the charger on GFCI breakers, refer to our detailed article. You can also find technical specifications on the protections provided on the device technical specifications PDF - found online here or via the file download located at the bottom of this article.

4. What wire diameter (AWG) should be used for power supply?

We recommend using 6 AWG copper wire rated for 90° C to allow the charger to operate at its full 48 amps. Please consult with a licensed electrician for the best power supply solution for your specific situation. More information.

5. Is the EV Charger suitable for outdoor installations?

The EV Charger housing is classified as a Type 4 NEMA enclosure, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It should function properly in all but the most extreme outdoor conditions. More information.

6. How is the NEMA outlet aligned?

The NEMA plug that comes with the EV Charger is 22 inches long and flexible enough to fit any orientation of an existing NEMA outlet. In the default installation with the NEMA plug hanging down from the EV Charger, the ground pin is at the bottom.

7. What is the size of the cable knockouts on the EV Charger?

The charger casing has a 1 1/4 inch diameter knockout. The included conduit fitting is 1 inch in diameter.

8. Is a neutral line required?

No, the EV Charger only requires two live lines and a ground/earth connection.

9. Can I install the NEMA plug with the ground pin facing up?

Yes, you can install the NEMA plug upside down. Ensure the charger is close enough to the outlet so there is enough slack to make the turn with the NEMA plug without straining the cable.

10. Are higher amperage breakers acceptable?

Yes, you can use any breaker size as needed. However, lower-rated breakers will reduce your available charge rate.

11. Should I use stranded or solid wire?

We recommend using solid core wire. However, a licensed electrician can confirm whether stranded wire will work for your particular situation.

12. Can the EV Charger work on a single-phase 240V line?

No, the charger requires a single-split phase (two lines) at 120V (line to neutral) with a 180° phase offset to operate correctly.

13. Are different length charging cables available?

Currently, we only offer a 24-foot charge cable with all EV Charger models.

Feedback and Suggestions

Our goal is to provide all the information you need to manage your energy effectively. If this article wasn't helpful, or if we could clarify any points further, please reach out to our Customer Support team. We are always working to improve our guides.

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