NC EV Charger Pros
Charging Made Effortless
License # 14821L
919-532-4043
Uplifting answers to your most demanding questions.
We’re here to help explain how we provide a worry-free experience.
Q - What is a Level 1 car charger and what does it do?
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A - A Level 1 car charger is a type of charger that uses 120-volt AC power to charge your EV. It’s the slowest type of charger available, but it’s also the most affordable and the simplest to use.
Level 1 chargers typically come with a standard 120-volt household outlet and can be plugged into any standard wall outlet.
Q - How does a level 1 car charger work?
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A - Level 1 car chargers work by supplying alternating current (AC) power to your EV’s onboard charger. This power is then converted into direct current (DC) power, which is used to charge your EV’s battery pack. The charge time will vary depending on your EV’s battery size, but it generally takes over 18 hours to fully charge a depleted battery using a Level 1 charger.
Q - What are the benefits of a level 1 car charger?
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A - Although Level 1 chargers are the slowest option available, they do have some advantages. Firstly, since they use standard 120-volt outlets, they can be plugged into any wall outlet in your home – meaning you don’t need to install any dedicated charging equipment. Additionally, Level 1 chargers tend to be much more affordable than their faster Level 2 and Level 3 counterparts.
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Level 1 car chargers are a great option for EV owners who want an affordable and easy-to-use charger for their electric vehicle. Although they’re not as fast as other types of chargers, they can be plugged into any standard wall outlet, making them a convenient option for home charging.
Q - What is a Level 2 car charger and what does it do?
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A - A Level 2 charger is a type of EVSE (Electric vehicle supply equipment) that uses 240 volts AC to charge an electric vehicle much faster than a Level 1 charger.
Q - How does a level 2 car charger work?
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A - Level 2 car chargers work by supplying alternating current (AC) power to your EV’s onboard charger. This power is then converted into direct current (DC) power, which is used to charge your EV’s battery pack. The charge time will vary depending on your EV’s battery size, but it takes about 3-4 hours to charge an EV using a Level 2 charger.
Q - What are the benefits of a level 2 car charger?
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A - Faster Charging Speeds
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As we mentioned before, the biggest advantage of using a Level 2 charger is that it can recharge your EV up to five times faster than a Level 1 charger. So if you’re short on time or just want to get back on the road as soon as possible, Level 2 charging is definitely the way to go.
Q - What are the specifics involved for installing a level 2 car charger?
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A - Level 2 installation requires running 240 volts from your breaker panel to your charging location. A “double-pole” circuit breaker needs to be attached to two 120 volt buses at once to double the circuit voltage to 240 volts, using a 4-strand cable. From a wiring perspective, this involves attaching a ground wire to the ground bus bar, a common wire to the wire bus bar, and two hot wires to the double-pole breaker. You may have to replace your breaker box entirely to have a compatible interface, or you may be able to simply install a double-pole breaker in your existing panel. It is essential to make sure that you shut off all power going into your breaker box by shutting off all breakers, followed by shutting off your main breaker.
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Once you have the correct circuit breaker attached to your home wiring, you can run your newly installed 4-strand cable to your charging location. This 4-strand cable needs to be properly insulated and secured to prevent from damage to your electrical systems, especially if it is being installed outdoors at any point. The last step is to mount your charging unit where you will be charging your vehicle, and attach it to the 240 volt cable. The charging unit acts as a safe holding location for the charge current, and doesn’t let electricity flow through until it senses that your charger is connected to your car’s charging port.
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Considering the technical nature and risk of a Level 2 EV charger DIY installation, it is always smart to hire a professional electrician to install your charging station. Local building codes often require permits and inspections by a professional anyways, and making an error with an electrical installation can cause cause material damage to your home and electrical systems. Electric work is also a health hazard, and it is always safer to let an experienced professional handle electric work.
Q - What are the common compatible 240V outlets required when installing a level 2 charger?
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Q - At what point do I need to install a level 2 charging outlet / car charger?
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A - You can install the Level 2 Charging outlet before or after you purchase your electric vehicle. As these outlets are pretty universal with level 2 EV chargers.
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Q - Can costs be offset through local, federal, state or utility companies which offer rebates or financial incentives?
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A - Duke Energy offers a rebate where they'll reimburse customers for up to $1,117 for installing a Level II (NEMA 14-50 for example) charger in their garage.
Please note that the fine print of the Duke credit for EV chargers requires you to already own or lease an EV registered with the NC DMV.
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This is something that the customer would take care of separately. We will send you a "paid" invoice after project completion for the cost of the NEMA 14-50 installation.
Q - Can I claim the 30% Federal Tax Credit on the installation of the Level 2 Charging outlet?
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A - This is something we'd recommend consulting a tax expert (CPA) with.
Q - What is the timeframe for the level 2 charging outlet installation from start to finish?
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A - The whole process typically takes less than 1 month but can very depending on how quickly the permitting takes from your local governing permit authority.
