Electric vehicle (EV) ownership has been growing dramatically, making home charging a crucial need. However, many homeowners wonder whether their current electrical panel can support an EV charger since these chargers require massive amounts of electricity.
Why is your electrical service important, though? The service size plays a huge role in charging speed and safety. It will also determine whether you need an electrical upgrade. This article delves further into the different service sizes and which one is ideal for residential EV charging.
What Does “Electrical Service Size” Mean?
Your “electrical service size” is the amount of electricity your home can draw from the utility grid at one time. This amount is measured in amps or amperes. There are three different amp sizes:
- 100-amp service: Ideal for small to medium-sized homes.
- 150-amp service: Ideal for slightly larger homes.
- 200-amp service: Ideal for mid-sized homes with large electricity usage.
- 400-amp service: Used for luxury-sized homes that depend heavily on electricity.
Many homeowners tend to confuse “electrical service size” and “circuit breaker size,” but they refer to different parts of your electrical system. The electrical size refers to the amount of electrical power your home receives from the utility company, while the circuit breaker size refers to the individual switches on your electrical panel that control electricity to different rooms or appliances.
The service capacity in your home is crucial because it tells you how many high-powered appliances you can plug into your electrical system at one time. As a general rule, you should only be using up to 80% of your service capacity. If you’re pulling more electricity than your service size, a circuit will trip to prevent overheating or an electrical fire.
How Much Power Does an EV Charger Use?
There are different levels of EV chargers.
- Level 1 draws 12-16 amps and uses a standard 120-volt wall outlet.
- Level 2 draws 20-60 amps and uses a 240-volt wall outlet (like a hairdryer).
- Level 3 draws 100-500 amps and is used in commercial buildings.
The faster you charge your EV, the more electricity you will need. This also means you’ll need a dedicated circuit for your EV charger to prevent overheating.
Is a 100-Amp Service Enough for an EV Charger?
While a 100-amp service is sufficient to charge your EV, it depends on your total home energy use and how fast you need to charge your vehicle. In general, a 100-amp service will give you 24-45 miles of range per hour.
A 100-amp service may also be sufficient if your main appliances, like your stove, furnace, and water heater, are gas-powered. Another situation where a 100-amp panel will work is if you install an adjustable-amperage charger that draws only 16-30 amps, allowing you to free up electrical space on your home’s system.
When our Mister Sparky electricians consider charger installations for residential use, they look at the following factors:
- Your existing electrical load
- The size of your home
- The appliances in your home (HVAC system, electrical water heater, washer/dryer)
One of our electricians will perform a load calculation to determine how much additional electrical capacity your home has. A load calculation essentially adds up the total electricity of your appliances and electrical equipment. If the sum gives you spare capacity, you can safely add your EV charger load.
If the load calculation shows that your total appliances exceed more than 80 amps, you will probably need to upgrade to a 200-amp service.
When Do You Need a 200-Amp Electrical Service?
Upgrading to a 200-amp electrical service expands your entire electrical capacity. It’s useful if you have many large electrical appliances in your home, such as an electric stove, HVAC system, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and EV charger.
It’s also useful if you’d like to charge your EV faster. A fast level 2 charger pulls up to 50 amps of continuous power. Upgrading to a 200-amp service allows you to add smart home features in the future as well.
How Electricians Determine Whether Your Panel Can Handle an 
EV Charger
Here are the steps our electricians perform to determine whether your panel can handle an EV charger:
Perform a Load Calculation
They will first perform a residential load calculation to determine how much spare electrical capacity you have.
Review Existing Circuits
They will then take a look at your existing circuits and breaker capacity. Remember that an EV charger will need its own dedicated 240-volt circuit.
Check Available Breaker Spaces
Our team will then check if you have empty slots in your electrical panel that can accommodate an EV charger. They may also install a subpanel if needed.
Inspect Your Panel
Another crucial step is to inspect the condition and age of your electrical panel. They will check for details like rust, corrosion, or recalled brands.
Check Local Electrical Code Requirements
Lastly, our team will determine if your electrical system complies with local code requirements.
Signs You May Need an Electrical Service Upgrade
These signs typically indicate you need an upgrade:
- Frequently tripped breakers
- Flickering lights when your appliances run
- Electrical panel has no available breaker space
- You have an older fuse box instead of a breaker panel
- You plan to renovate or electrify more of your home
If any of these signs apply to you, contact our Mister Sparky electricians in Sarasota. We can perform a full inspection of your electrical system.
Our Mister Sparky Electricians in Sarasota Can Help
Many homes with 100-amp service can still support EV charging after we perform a proper load calculation and ensure it’s safe to do so.
However, the best approach is to schedule an inspection with one of our licensed electricians in Sarasota before you install your EV charger. After a thorough inspection, we can help you choose the right EV charger for your needs. Most homeowners with small to mid-sized homes will need a level 2 EV charger, while businesses will be better served with a level 3 EV charger.
In addition to an inspection and a load calculation, we can help you choose the right location for your EV charger, obtain the required permits, and complete a code-compliant installation.
If you have questions about our EV charger installations, don’t put up with any malarky. Call Mister Sparky to set up an appointment.
