EV charger earthing, or grounding, is the process of connecting the electric vehicle charging circuit to the ground to ensure safety and proper functionality. This involves installing a conductor that links the electrical system to the earth’s conductive surface. The connection is made using grounding electrodes, conductive wires, and grounding conductors.
An electric vehicle branch circuit grounding is typically made with a thick copper conductor wire and links the metallic parts of the circuit to an EV charger earth plate (EV charger earth rod) or electrode buried in moist soil as shown in the electric vehicle branch circuit grounding diagram below for both single-phased EV charger installations and three-phased EV charger installations.
Table of Contents
- Single-Phased EV Charger Circuit Grounding
- Three-Phased EV Charger Circuit Grounding
- Does an EV Charger Need to Be Grounded?
- Critical Points Requiring Grounding for EV Chargers
- EV Chargers Grounding/Earthing Components.
- EV Charger Earthing Methods and Types
- Protective Multiple Earth (PME) in EV Charger Installation
- NEC Specifications of Grounding
- Conclusions.
Single-Phased EV Charger Circuit Grounding
The diagram below demonstrates how a single-phase EV Level 1 charger installation is grounded. It shows the connection between the electrical system and the earth using grounding electrodes and conductors, ensuring a safe and reliable setup.
Level 1 EV Charger NEMA 5-15R Outlet Grounding
Level 1 EV chargers utilize a standard NEMA 5-15R outlet, typically found on a 120-volt circuit. Proper grounding involves connecting the outlet’s grounding conductor to the grounding system of the electrical panel as shown in the NEMA 5-15R outlet close-up wiring diagram below:
Three-Phased EV Charger Circuit Grounding
The diagram below illustrates the grounding process for a three-phase Level 2 EV charger. It details the connections required to safely ground three-phase EV charger installations, ensuring stability and safety in high-power installations.
Level 2 EV Charger NEMA 14-50R Outlet Grounding
Level 2 EV chargers utilize a NEMA 14-50R outlet, designed for a 240-volt circuit to accommodate higher power demands. Grounding this setup involves connecting the grounding conductor of the outlet to the electrical panel’s grounding system as shown in the NEMA 14-50R close-up wiring diagram below:
Does an EV Charger Need to Be Grounded?
When metallic parts of your electric vehicle branch circuit, like outlets and electrical panels, come into contact with a live wire (EV charger leakage fault/ EV charger ground fault) —potentially due to EV charger installation failures or cable insulation breakdown—the metal can become charged. This charge accumulates static electricity. If you touch these charged metallic parts while connecting your EV charger plug or during vehicle charging, you risk electric shock.
To prevent EV charger leakage faults and ground faults, the electric vehicle branch circuit must be properly grounded, allowing any electrical charge to dissipate safely into the earth. Additional methods for EV charger leakage protection include using devices like ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or residual current devices (RCDs). These devices monitor for current imbalances and automatically cut off the power supply when leakage is detected, effectively preventing electrical hazards.
Critical Points Requiring Grounding for EV Chargers
Before installing an EV charger, it’s crucial to ensure the following critical points are properly earthed:
- All electrical vehicle branch circuit metal casings protecting or covering conductors or apparatus such as metal EV charger lock boxes, metal junction boxes, metal conduits, iron-clad switches, and electrical panels should be properly earthed (grounded). NEC 250.110
- For Level 1 EV charger installations with NEMA 5-15R, and Level 2 EV chargers with NEMA 14-50R power plugs and sockets have a grounding pin that should be efficiently and permanently earthed.
- For EV chargers using renewable energy and also the utility grid, the frames and metallic parts of their transformers should be properly earthed.
- For three-phase EV charger installations, the middle conductor should be earthed at the power source.
EV Chargers Grounding/Earthing Components.
Components used for grounding/earthing EV charger installations include:
- EV charger electrode conductor.
- EV charger earthing/grounding conductor.
- EV charger earth rod or plate.
The diagram below illustrates the essential grounding components for a safe EV charger installation. It illustrates the electrical path connecting the main service panel to the EV charger’s grounding electrode (earth rod or plate). The diagram also identifies the grounding conductor and any additional electrodes contributing to the grounding system.
EV Charger Electrode Conductor
An EV charger electrode conductor is part of the EV charger grounding system that interconnects all the parts of the metallic parts of the electric vehicle branch circuit such as electrical panels, subpanels, junction boxes, outlets, and the EV charger.
To test the EV charger electrode connecter after EV charger installation we use the Vici VC480C+ LCD Digital Micro-ohm Meter since the EV charger electrode conductor resistance should be very low to make sure the components of the electric vehicle branch circuit grounding are at the same potential as the ground or earth to prevent the electric vehicle branch circuit from causing EV charger ground fault to incase of insulation faults.
We recommend purchasing the Vici VC480C+ LCD Digital Micro-ohm Meter for frequent monitoring of your electric vehicle branch circuit electrode conductor resistance or continuity to maintain and troubleshoot your EV charger installation, especially in case you experience ground fault errors being displayed on your EV charger.
Your standard digital multimeter can’t measure the resistance or continuity of your EV charger electrode conductor. For accurate results, use the Vici VC480C+ LCD Digital Micro-ohm Meter, which ranges from 0.1µΩ to 2000Ω. Unlike household multimeters like the AstroAI Multimeter Tester, the VC480C+ meets IEEE standards, ensuring the earth wire’s resistance remains below 1Ω. This compliance is critical for maintaining the safety and functionality of your EV charger installation.
After installation, we recommend keeping a record of the resistance or continuity readings of your EV charger electrode conductor using the Vici VC480C+ LCD Digital Micro-ohm Meter and during maintenance, troubleshooting, or repairs and identify any significant resistance increases that could indicate loose connections or deterioration to prevent shocks.
When EV charger circuit breakers trip due to an EV charger earth leakage fault or EV charger ground fault, the culprit can be the EV charger electrode conductor whose ground fault and the leakage current exceeds the set limit, if you have an EV charger GFCI circuit breaker, it will trip to prevent potential electrical shock hazards
When choosing the right EV charger grounding cable, the electric vehicle branch circuit electrode conductor size with be dependent on the electric vehicle branch circuit cable/wire size.
Size of EV Charger Electrode Conductor
According to IEC Regulation, the Earth Continuity Conductor should have a cross-sectional area of at least half of the thickest wire used in the installation, with a minimum of 6 mm². For Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers, a 6 mm² is recommended.
EV Charger Earthing Lead/Grounding Lead Conductor
The point that connects the EV charger electrode conductor and the EV charger earth plate, EV charger earth pipe, EV charger earth rod, EV charger waterman earthing, or the EV charger strip earthing depending on your EV charger grounding or earthing method is known as the EV charger earthing lead/grounding lead conductor
The EV charger earthing lead/grounding lead conductor is the final part of the EV charger earthing system connected to the EV charger electrode conductor, and the underground EV charger earthing system, depending on your EV charger installation method your EV charger earthing/grounding Electrode might be an earth plate, earth pipe, earth rod, waterman or strip earthing.
Not only does the EV charger earthing lead/grounding lead conductor connect the EV charger electrode conductor, and the underground EV charger earthing system, but we also use its connection points to maintain and repair an EV charger earth leakage and faults caused by the EV charger electrode conductor insulation faults as shown in the illustrative image below:
For earth leakage and fault testing using a low-range ohms meter, we recommend the Vici VC480C+ LCD Digital Micro-ohm Meter. Connect the red probe to the main grounding bus in the EV charger’s electrical panel.
The crucial step is ensuring a good connection on the EV charger earth leads using the black probe. If the lead isn’t directly accessible, a trailing lead (as detailed in our Guide to Testing EV Charger Earth Leakage and Faults) can be employed to reach the grounding point.
As shown in the image above, the EV charger earthing lead/grounding lead conductor should be smaller in size compared to the EV charger electrode conductor and should be installed straight to the ground towards the EV charger earthing lead/grounding lead conductor.
For EV charger installations such as Level 2 and Level 3 EV chargers, we recommend the use of a copper strip as the EV charger earthing lead/grounding lead conductor, while for Level 1 installations you can use a copper wire, we recommend a copper strip for high current EV charger installations due to their wider ware that can handle high EV charger fault currents compared to the use of a copper wire.
Size of EV Charger Earthing Lead/Grounding Lead Conductor
The EV charger earthing lead should have a cross-sectional area that is at least half of the largest wire used in the electric vehicle branch circuit. The table below will help you select the appropriate size for your EV charger earthing lead/Grounding lead conductor.
| Electric Vehicle Installation Circuit AWG Size | Cross-Sectional Area (mm²) | Minimum Earthing Lead Size |
|---|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 2.08 mm² | 1.04 mm² (approx. 16 AWG) |
| 12 AWG | 3.31 mm² | 1.66 mm² (approx. 14 AWG) |
| 10 AWG | 5.26 mm² | 2.63 mm² (approx. 12 AWG) |
| 8 AWG | 8.37 mm² | 4.18 mm² (approx. 10 AWG) |
| 6 AWG | 13.3 mm² | 6.65 mm² (approx. 8 AWG) |
| 4 AWG | 21.1 mm² | 10.55 mm² (approx. 6 AWG) |
EV Charger Earthing/Grounding Electrode
An EV charger earthing/grounding electrode is the final component of the EV charger earthing or grounding system, although EV charger earth rods and EV charger earth plates are the common EV charger earthing/grounding electrodes other EV charger earthing/grounding electrodes can be used in EV charger installation such as EV charger earth pipe, waterman or strip earthing depending on e.g. soil type, moisture degradation/corrosion of the earth rod over time.
One thing about the EV charger earthing/grounding electrodes no matter what method or type you use on your EV charger installation, we recommend the use of soil enhancers (mixture of charcoal and lime -ratio of 1:3), to improve EV charger earthing/grounding electrode effectiveness in dissipating electrical current into the earth, soil enhancers help lowers soil resistivity, reduced grounding resistance, and help increase the conductivity of the soil including dry, sandy, or rocky soil surrounding the grounding electrode over time.
Size of EV Charger Earthing/Grounding Electrode
When installing an earthing system, using copper as the electrode material is highly recommended due to its superior conductivity and corrosion resistance. A copper electrode should measure 2 feet by 2 feet with a thickness of 1/8 inch (600 mm × 600 mm × 3 mm). It is advisable to bury the electrode in moist soil. If moist soil is unavailable, water can be added to the GI (Galvanized Iron) pipe to create the necessary moisture conditions. To further enhance conductivity, salt, and charcoal are added to the earthing pit.
For the EV Charger earth rod, a solid copper rod is recommended. It should be 8 feet (≈2.5 meters) in height and 1/2 inch (12 mm) in diameter. The earth electrode should be installed vertically underground and surrounded by a 1-foot (30 cm) layer of a powdered charcoal and lime mixture in a 1:3 ratio (1 kg of salt to 3 kg of charcoal). This practice helps maintain moisture around the earth’s plate and ensures better continuity in the grounding system.
EV Charger Earthing Methods and Types
There are two common EV charger earthing methods used in EV charger installations, the use of an EV charger earth plate, or an EV charger earth rod, although other three EV charger methods exist such as the use of EV charger earth pipe, Ev charger waterman or strip earthing.
EV Charger Earth Plate
EV charger earth plates are commonly used in permanent, hardwired EV charger installations. These plates are typically installed by EV charger installers at a depth of 1.5 to 3 meters below ground. We generally use a 2 ft × 2 ft × 1/8 in copper earth plate for these installations, as shown in the illustrative image below.
EV Charger Earth Rod
The second most popular EV charging earthing or grounding method is the use of a copper-clad rod EV charger earth rod, EV charger earth rods are common with DIY EV charger installers (which mostly consist of plug-in EV charger installers), but can also be used in hardwired EV charger installations.
Depending on the soil type, and moisture degradation/corrosion of the earth rod over time the size of the copper-clad rod EV charger earth rod should be a minimum of 3/8in diameter and f4ft in length, however, we recommend 1.5in in diameter and 9ft in length for single home EV charger installation using level 2 and Level 1 EV chargers. In rocky and dry soils a greater dimension copper-clad rod EV charger earth rod is required.
After installation of your EV charger earth rod, use the Vici VC480C+ LCD Digital Micro-ohm Meter to measure the ground resistance or continuity, and if it’s greater than 25 ohms you should install a supplementary copper-clad rod EV charger earth rod 6ft apart.
Protective Multiple Earth (PME) in EV Charger Installation
Protective Multiple Earthing (PME) connects the electrical system to the ground at multiple points, both at the supply and within the EV charger source, providing low-resistance paths to safely divert excess current into the earth.
This setup is especially beneficial in the event of an Open-Circuit PEN Conductor fault, where the neutral wire breaks. In such cases, the fault current returns to the supply through parallel paths via the earth, creating a low-resistance circuit.
This allows protective devices, such as fuses or breakers, to trip quickly by facilitating high fault currents and cutting off power to prevent shocks, fires, or equipment damage. PME is essential for maintaining safety and reliability in EV charger installations.
NEC Specifications of Grounding
The National Electrical Code (NEC Article 250) outlines various specifications for electrical grounding systems to ensure safety:
- Grounding Electrode System: Every electrical system needs a grounding electrode system, which consists of one or more electrodes like rods, plates, or pipes buried in the earth.
- Minimum Requirements: At least two grounding electrodes are required unless a single electrode achieves resistance to earth below 25 ohms.
- Electrode Installation: Electrodes must be straight down for at least 2.44 meters and be free from non-conductive coatings. Spacing between electrodes from different systems should be at least 1.83 meters.
- Grounding Conductor: A grounding electrode conductor connects the grounding electrode system to the grounded conductor at the service entrance.
- Bonding: The grounded conductor is bonded to the service enclosure and equipment grounding conductors to create a unified grounding path.
- Conductor Sizing: The NEC provides tables specifying the minimum size for grounding and bonding conductors based on system parameters.
Conclusions.
Grounding EV chargers is crucial for safety, compliance, and functionality. This guide covers key aspects of EV charger grounding, emphasizing adherence to National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
- Circuit Grounding: Single-phased and three-phased EV chargers require different grounding approaches. Proper grounding ensures safety and stability.
- NEMA Outlets: Grounding for Level 1 (NEMA 5-15R) and Level 2 (NEMA 14-50R) chargers involves specific practices to meet NEC requirements and prevent electric shocks.
- Critical Grounding Points: Properly grounding the charger, circuit, and components is essential to provide a safe fault current path and protect the system.
- Components and Conductor Sizing: Correctly sized grounding components and conductors ensure effective fault current dissipation. This includes the electrode conductor, earthing lead, and grounding electrode.
- Earthing Methods: Different methods, like earth rods and plates, offer various advantages. Proper installation ensures effective grounding and reduces electric shock risks.
- NEC Compliance: Following NEC guidelines is critical for legal and safe EV charger operation. These standards protect users and equipment.
Effective EV charger grounding involves understanding charger types, installation environments, and regulatory standards. Proper grounding protects users, and equipment, and ensures long-term functionality and reliability.
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 2024-10-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
