EV charger surge protection is essential to safeguard your EV charger installation from high voltage electrical shocks, surges, and other electrical vehicle branch circuit irregularities.
Installing an EV charger surge protection device protects your installation from voltage spikes and any other voltage abnormalities by absorbing the energy in the electric vehicle branch circuit and reducing the current before it reaches the EV charger installation components connected to the circuit.
We recommend the installation of EV charger surge protection devices if your area experiences grid voltage spikes, or if you have a renewable energy EV charging set-up such as solar EV charging installed where voltage spikes can spike or drop during a changeover from one source of energy to another.
Voltage spikes in an electric vehicle branch circuit can cause EV charging fires, damage EV charging components and devices, damage your electric vehicle, and also disrupt your EV charging sessions.
The purpose of a surge protector in an electric vehicle branch circuit is to store small amounts of current instead of damming it off, protecting your electric vehicle branch circuit and also preventing disruption of your EV charging sessions.
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Types of Surge Protection
Type 1 surge protectors are designed to shield against direct lightning strikes. They are typically installed at the mains incomer of electrical installations equipped with external lightning protection or those fed by overhead lines.
Type 2 surge protectors provide general surge protection and are suitable for installation at the main electrical panel that does not require specific lightning protection measures. They are also recommended for use on subboards located more than 10-15 meters away from the main electrical panel.
Type 3 surge protectors are tailored for protecting individual pieces of equipment that require low let-through voltage. These are installed directly on the equipment where precise protection against surges is necessary.
Each type serves distinct purposes based on the level of protection needed, ensuring comprehensive coverage against electrical surges in various scenarios.
How EV Charger Surge Protection Works
An EV charger surge protector is installed in an electric vehicle branch circuit to safeguard it from high voltage shocks, surges, and other irregularities, incase of high voltage shocks, surges, and irregularities the surge protection device absorbs the energy and routes it away from sensitive components in the electric vehicle branch circuit through the grounding of the EV charger installation until the unwanted current is safely dissipated (often within milliseconds).
In an electric vehicle branch circuit, EV charger surge protection is mainly installed in your home electrical panel or dedicated EV charger subpanel to protect your whole EV charger installation as shown in the illustrative image below:
Do EV Chargers Require Surge Protection?
Yes, EV charger installation requires surge protection, for example, a standard Level 1 or Level 2 charger installed in the United States is under 120V/240V, and most electric vehicles can handle 100-400V if power surges beyond that point in an electric vehicle branch circuit it can damage EV charging equipment, EV, and might also cause fires.
Power surges can occur during power outages considering 73.7% of Americans experience power outages, of all major power outages in the United States 80% are due to weather-related outages, and if you live in less weather-related regions like Ohio power outages can be as a result of faulty EV charger wiring during installation, or due to wear and tear leaving them exposed and damaged, aging or fault EV charger installation equipment such as ground cables, and power cables can also lead to power outages in your electric vehicle branch circuit.
And it’s not all about the major power outages mentioned above, small fluctuations in current in your EV charger installation over time are also harmful to your EV charger installation and are known to degrade your EV charger and battery over time.
Why Install EV Charger Surge Protection Devices?
Installing a Surge Protection Device (SPD) in the electric vehicle (EV) branch circuit is crucial for safeguarding against various potential hazards. EV charging stations, whether located outdoors or indoors, are susceptible to lightning strikes. Lightning strikes nearby can induce significant voltage surges, endangering both the charging station equipment and the vehicles connected to them.
Moreover, utilities themselves can unintentionally introduce surges due to switching activities, short outages, or operational malfunctions. These events often result in voltage drops followed by sudden surges, which can damage sensitive electronic components within the charging infrastructure.
Transformers, integral components in electrical distribution systems, are also known to fail occasionally, leading to substantial surges that can propagate through the EV charging system if not intercepted by an SPD. Additionally, inverters commonly employed in conjunction with battery backup or solar systems in renewable EV charging may intermittently cause over-voltage conditions, posing further risks to EV chargers.
By installing an SPD in the EV branch circuit, these potential risks are mitigated. The SPD acts as a protective barrier, rapidly diverting excess voltage away from the charging equipment during surge events. This proactive measure not only enhances the operational reliability of EV charging stations but also extends the lifespan of the equipment, thereby ensuring consistent and safe charging experiences for EV owners.
Best EV Charger Surge Protection Devices.
Before purchasing a surge protection device for your EV charger, it’s crucial to understand the voltage, amperage, and charging loads of your electric vehicle branch circuit.
Below is a table detailing common branch circuit specifications for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 chargers:
| Level 1 EV Charging | Level 2 EV Charging | Level 3 EV Charging |
|---|---|---|
| Single Phase 120V | Single Phase 208 or 240V | Three Phase 208 to 480V |
| 12-16 Amps | 12 to 18 Amps | <125 Amps |
| 1.4 to 1.9 kW Charging Loads | 2.5 to 19.2 kW Charging Loads | <90 kW |
After noting your EV charger installation voltage, amperage, and charging loads, it’s time to narrow down the best EV charger surge protection device for your specific EV charger installation.
Level 1 EV Charger Surge Protector
Level 1 EV charger surge protectors are mainly installed in the main distribution panel at the incoming 120/240V main service panel, Level 1 EV chargers require 120V power and 12-16 amps to manage continuous loads of 1.4 to 1.9kW.
Here are some of the best Level 1 EV charger surge protectors we recommend:
Level 2 EV Charger Surge Protector
Level 2 EV chargers require 208 or 204V and up, installation of their respective EV charger surge protection can be installed near their point of use including close to Level 2 EV charger NEMA 14-50R outlet, for hardwired EV chargers the surge protection device can be installed close to the junction box, or the EV charger enclosure.
The best Level 2 EV charger surge protector devices we recommend include:
Level 3 EV Charger Surge Protector
Level 3 EV chargers are the most expensive chargers on our list, for require Three Phase 208 to 480V and offer the fastest EV charging speeds, We recommend installing Level 3 EV charger surge protectors near the point of use including the power cabinet and the charging dispenser.
The best Level 3 EV charger surge protector we recommend includes:
Conclusions.
In conclusion, understanding and implementing surge protection for EV chargers is crucial in safeguarding both your vehicle and charging equipment. Whether opting for Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 surge protectors, each offers varying degrees of protection against voltage spikes that could potentially damage sensitive electronics.
Investing in a quality surge protection device not only ensures the longevity and reliability of your EV charger but also provides peace of mind, knowing your investment is securely shielded from electrical hazards.
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 2024-09-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
