Installing an EV charger isn’t like fitting a new socket. The process demands careful planning, technical knowledge, and strict adherence to UK wiring standards. Professional installers assess your home’s wiring capacity, install new circuits if required, and test the system for compliance with UK regulations. Poor preparation leads to failed inspections, safety risks, and wasted money on incorrect equipment.
Site conditions vary dramatically across UK properties. Victorian terraces with original wiring face different challenges than new builds with modern consumer units. The closer and less complicated the route to your fuse box, the easier the installation becomes. Distance, obstacles, and existing electrical load all affect costs and feasibility.
BS 7671 Wiring Regulations and the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation set mandatory requirements for safe installations. These standards cover cable sizing, protection devices, earthing arrangements, and weatherproofing. Understanding these requirements before you start prevents expensive mistakes and ensures your installation passes building control inspection.
This guide covers the four essential preparation stages: charger placement factors, cable specification per BS7671, weatherproofing standards, and comprehensive pre-installation checks. Get these right and your installation proceeds smoothly from survey to commissioning.
What affects charger placement and cabling distance
Your EV charger location depends on four physical factors: distance from the consumer unit, vehicle charging port position, parking layout, and property access points.
Consumer unit proximity matters most. Standard installations cover up to 10 metres of cabling from your fuse box. Beyond this distance, expect additional costs at £1-£2 per metre. Shorter cable runs reduce installation time and material expenses.
Check where your EV’s charging port sits. Tesla places ports at the rear for efficiency and shorter cable runs, while Ford positions them at the front so drivers notice the tethered cable before driving off. Your charger should mount on the same side as the port to avoid the cable stretch across the vehicle.
Parking bay width and turning radius affect cable management. Single driveways need 5-metre cables minimum. Shared car parks or side-by-side parking may require 7.5-metre tethered cables or longer options for untethered setups.
The Wi-Fi signal strength at the installation site determines the smart charger’s functionality. Test signal where you’ll mount the unit. Weak coverage needs a Wi-Fi extender because smart features won’t work below two bars.
Wall-mounted chargers beat post-mounted units for most UK homes. UK regulations require mounting between 750mm and 1200mm above ground level, with optimal height around 1000mm for easier cable handling. Higher placement reduces back strain when plugging in.
Avoid trailing cables across pavements or shared walkways. No cables over pavements are permitted under UK planning rules. If your parking space sits away from walls, you’ll need Highways Authority permission for cross-pavement solutions.
Cable gauge and conduit selection per BS7671
All EV installations must follow BS 7671 Wiring Regulations and the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation. Cable sizing depends on charger output, installation method, and circuit protection.
A 7kW single-phase charger pulls 32 amps. This needs a 6mm² copper cable as a minimum for surface-run installations. Cables buried in walls or insulation require larger gauges to handle heat dissipation. Your electrician calculates the voltage drop across the cable length – BS 7671 permits a maximum 3% drop for fixed equipment.
Circuits supplying EV chargers cannot include PEN (combined neutral and earth) conductors. Separate neutral and earth wires run throughout. This prevents dangerous voltage on exposed metalwork if the supply PEN conductor fails.
Three-phase installations use different calculations. An 11kW three-phase charger draws roughly 16 amps per phase, needing 4mm² cable minimum. Commercial 22kW units require 10mm² cable or larger, depending on run length.
Conduit protects cables from physical damage and moisture. Steel conduit suits external walls and underground runs. PVC conduit works for internal routes and light-duty applications. All outdoor installations require weatherproof cabling and IP-rated fittings.
Cable routes matter for compliance. Avoid running EV circuits through loft spaces or under floors where building work might damage them later. Use vertical drops inside walls where possible. Mark cable routes on building plans for future reference.
Every EV circuit needs RCD protection rated at a maximum of 30mA, disconnecting all live conductors, including neutral. Type A RCDs work when the charger includes 6mA residual direct current detection. Without this feature, you’ll need expensive Type B RCDs.
Armoured cable (SWA) suits underground runs from the house to the garage or outbuilding. Burial depth requirements vary by location – the Fifth Edition IET Code provides minimum depth guidance for different premises types. Agricultural properties need deeper burial than domestic gardens.
Weatherproofing and trenching requirements
External chargers face rain, frost, and temperature swings year-round. Outdoor-rated wiring and sockets must have weatherproof cabling and IP-rated fittings. IP65 rating provides dust-tight and water jet protection suitable for UK weather.
Mounting surfaces need weather-resistant fixings. Brick and concrete walls take stainless steel rawl plugs and coach screws. Rendered walls may need specialist fixings to prevent water ingress behind the render. Seal all cable entry points with weatherproof glands.
Underground cable routes need proper trenching. Dig trenches minimum 500mm deep for domestic installations. The IET Code Appendix K provides depth requirements for different property types – agricultural premises and caravan sites have stricter rules.
Lay warning tape 150mm above buried cables. This alerts future diggers before they hit live conductors. Use orange tape marked “Electric Cable Below” for visibility.
Sand bed and surround armoured cables. Pour 50mm of sand beneath the cable, lay the cable, then cover with another 100mm of sand before backfilling. This prevents sharp stones from damaging the cable sheath.
Route cables under paths and driveways in ducts. Use 100mm diameter heavy-duty plastic ducting. Pull a draw cord through during installation so you can add circuits later without re-excavating.
Avoid drainage routes and service corridors. Your cable trench shouldn’t cross water pipes, gas mains, or telecoms ducts. Contact utility companies if you’re unsure about underground services.
Cable entry into buildings needs sealing. Drill holes with a 10-degree downward slope toward the outside. This stops rainwater from running into the property. Pack gaps around cables with fire-resistant expanding foam rated for external use.
Garage installations face condensation risks. Chargers mounted in unheated garages need additional protection from moisture and temperature extremes. Check manufacturer specifications for operating temperature ranges.
Pre-installation inspection checklist
Book a site survey before ordering equipment. Professional installers assess five critical areas: electrical capacity, physical access, existing circuits, earthing arrangements, and regulatory compliance.
Electrical capacity check:
- Assess home wiring capacity to determine if it can handle the extra load
- Check main fuse rating (typically 60A, 80A, or 100A for UK homes)
- Count spare ways in the consumer unit for a new circuit breaker
- Test existing circuit loading during peak usage times
- Verify the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) supply type
Consumer unit inspection:
- Modern consumer units require space for an additional circuit breaker; many older units need upgrading
- Check for RCD protection on existing circuits
- Verify surge protection device (SPD) presence
- Examine circuit labelling and documentation
- Test existing RCD trip times to meet current standards
Earthing system verification:
- For TN-S or TN-C-S supplies, confirm earthing meets requirements for EV charging without PEN conductor risks
- Check the earth electrode presence and condition for TT systems
- Test earth loop impedance values
- Verify the main protective bonding to water and gas services
Physical site assessment:
- Measure cable route from consumer unit to charger location
- Identify obstacles (doorways, drainage, existing services)
- Check mounting surface suitability (wall strength, weatherproofing)
- Verify parking space dimensions and vehicle access
- Assess Wi-Fi signal strength for smart charger connectivity
Regulatory compliance review:
- Confirm property ownership or landlord permission documentation
- Check planning permission needs for listed buildings or conservation areas
- Verify off-street parking availability and exclusivity
- Review local authority building control notification requirements
DNO notification requirements:
- Installers must submit the ENA (Energy Networks Association) application form to DNO
- Single-phase installations under 3.68kW may not need DNO approval
- 7kW single-phase and all three-phase installations require notification
- DNO may impose export limitations or request supply upgrades
- Wait for DNO confirmation before proceeding with installation
Photograph the site during the survey. Record consumer unit layout, cable routes, and mounting locations. These photos help with quotation accuracy and installation planning.
Document existing circuit loads. List high-power appliances (electric shower, cooker, immersion heater) with their ratings. This helps calculate available capacity for EV charging without overloading the supply.
Check for asbestos in older properties. Consumer units installed before 2000 may have asbestos-containing boards. Any work disturbing these materials needs specialist removal before EV installation proceeds.
Verify smart meter compatibility. Smart chargers integrate with smart meters for off-peak scheduling and energy monitoring. Check your meter supports this functionality, or arrange an upgrade through your energy supplier.
Ready to install an EV charger at your London property? Diligent Electrical Contractors offers OZEV-approved installations with full BS 7671 compliance. Our experienced team handles site surveys, cable installations, and all certification. Call us today for a free assessment.