This guide dives deep into the best 200 amp panels for EV charging, whether you’re upgrading your main electrical panel or seeking a robust 200-amp service panel for home EV charger installations, or complex EV charger installations—such as multiple EV chargers installation or integration with renewable energy sources into EV charging like solar EV charging or bi-directional EV charging—these heavy-duty panels offer unique features tailored to support both residential and commercial needs.
Table of Contents
Key Considerations for 200 Amp Panels for EV Charging.
Before purchasing a 200 amps panel for EV charging, it is important to consider the following:
- Number of Circuits: If you are upgrading your home electrical panel with a 200 amps panel for EV charger installations, you will need lots of circuits to accommodate both your home and EV charger installation, compared to a homeowner who is looking for a 200 amps panel to use as a dedicated EV charger service panel for EV charging easier EV charging load management and organizations of their EV charging set-up for easier maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Number of Spaces: You will also need more space for a 200 amps home electrical panel compared to a 200 amps dedicated EV charging service panel since a 200 amps home electrical panel consists of more breakers for different electric circuits in a home compared to a dedicated service panel for EV charging.
- Use of the Electrical Panel: It’s important to make sure you understand your EV charger setup before purchasing an electrical panel, some 200 amp panels consist of main circuit breakers, and some don’t support circuit breakers, others can be used for outdoor EV charging set-ups while others can be used for Indoors EV charging set-ups.
Best 200 Amp Panels For EV Charging Summary
Recommended Related Posts:
- Will I Need a Service Panel Upgrade for My EV Charger?
- EV Charging Subpanels Explained
- How to Wire a Main Circuit Breaker Panel for EV Charging
- How to Wire an EV Charger SubPanel
- Electric Vehicle Charger Circuit Breaker Selection Guide
- Top 5 Best Smart Meters For EV Charging.
Best 200 Amp Panels For EV Charging Reviews.
Ready to make your choice? Check out our top picks for the best 200-amp EV charging panels!
Schneider 200A 30/60 Panel (Indoor)
We recommend the Schneider 200A 30/60 Panel for simple and complex residential and commercial EV charger installations, for residential EV charger installations the Schneider 200A 30/60 Panel can be used as the main electrical panel while for commercial applications it can also be used as a subpanel for multiple EV charger installations.
We also recommend it for complex EV charger installations especially residential EV charger installations where there is a need for additional circuits and spaces for additional EV charging electrical devices and components such as circuit breakers, wiring, and EV charging monitoring and management devices such as smart meters.
The Schneider 200A 30/60 Panel is an indoor electrical panel which we cannot recommend for outdoor EV charger installations unless the installation of the electrical panel is indoors, however, this might increase the distance between the electrical panel and the point of use which can cause voltage drops.
Siemens 200 Amp 30/60 Panel (Outdoor)
The Siemens 200 Amp 30/60 Panel is the perfect electrical panel for both indoor and outdoor EV charger installations, it is an outdoor-rated and UL-listed circuit breaker enclosure that comes with a 200 amp main breaker included.
We recommend the use of the Siemens 200 Amp 30/60 Panel as a subpanel for both indoor and outdoor EV charger installations since it is a lug panel meaning that it doesn’t have its main breaker as shown in the EV charging with a main lug panel circuit diagram below.
You can also install two EV chargers with 100A circuits allowing both vehicles to charge simultaneously with smart fast-charging EV chargers without having to worry of load management issues.
You will need to have grounding bars for the ground wires from the EV charger as the Siemens 200 Amp 30/60 Panel doesn’t include a grounding bar/bus for the bare ground wires.
GE Energy 200-Amp Panel (Outdoor)
We recommend the GE Energy 200-Amp Panel for use as a subpanel for indoor EV charger installations since it’s a main lug subpanel that lacks a main circuit breaker and relies on the main electrical panel circuit breaker for circuit management to the electrical panel.
The GE Energy 200 amp electrical panel can also be used for multiple EV charger installations while on a budget due to its low entry price compared to other electrical panels with the same features and configurations. The GE Energy 200 amps electrical panel can also be used for simple home EV charger installations that require additional space for circuits and spaces for EV charging devices such as smart meters.
We also recommend the GE Energy 200-Amp Panel as the sub-panel for integration of renewable energy sources with the EV charger, the GE Energy 200-Amp panel can be used as a simple residential solar and grid switch transfer panel. for the seamless transition between power sources, such as solar EV charging and grid power EV charging due to its support of a total of 20 circuits and 20 spaces which is quite practical.
It’s also quite compact meaning that it is recommended for garage and closet EV charging installations of the electrical panel where there is limited space.
Schneider 200A 40/80 Panel (Indoor)
The Schneider 200A 40/80 Panel is a very large electrical panel that is the ultimate upgrade of a home main electrical panel with power load management issues, the Schneider 200A 40/80 Panel can allow installation of a home EV charger installation while also allowing room for other home electrical devices to share power without load management issues.
For complex EV charger installers such as multiple EV chargers, the Schneider 200A 40/80 Panel is also the best solution and can be used for multiple EV charger installations, including the use of the panel as a renewable energy EV charging and grid transfer switch panel for multiple EV chargers due to its large space and circuits.
The Schneider 200A 40/80 Panel can also be used in multiple EV charger installations such as apartments and condominiums as a subpanel for EV chargers connected to the one main electrical subpanel as shown in the EV charging main breaker subpanel EV charging circuit diagram below:
The 200 amps main circuit breaker in the Schneider 200A 40/80 Panel can allow load management of individual dedicated EV charger breakers depending on the maximum charging capacity (measured in amps) and the voltage rating of the charger.
Conclusions.
Installing EV chargers requires thoughtful consideration of your electrical needs. Upgrading your main panel to a 200-amp solution provides a versatile foundation for future expansion, while a dedicated 200-amp EV charging sub-panel offers a streamlined setup for charging.
This guide has equipped you with the knowledge to choose the perfect 200 amp panel for your situation. We’ve explored key factors, reviewed top-rated options, and provided a comprehensive buying guide for each electrical panel.
Ready to make your choice?
- Best All-Rounder: The Schneider 200A 30/60 Panel offers flexibility as the best upgrade for a main panel and also a subpanel for EV charger installations.
- High-Power Circuits: The Siemens 200-Amp Panel prioritizes a few powerful circuits, ideal for specific applications.
- Budget-Conscious: The GE Energy 200-Amp Panel offers affordability and functionality for basic needs.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu, founder and editor-in-chief of Electric Vehicle Geek, brings over five years of hands-on experience in Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) selection, permitting, and installation. He specializes in assisting businesses and homeowners in the United States with a seamless transition to electric vehicles.
As a certified EV charger installer and holder of advanced certifications, including the EVITP (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program), Diploma in Electric Vehicle Technology, and Diploma in Engineering Fundamentals of Electric Vehicles, I provide expert guidance and in-depth reviews on the latest EV charging equipment.
Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API