EV Chargers
What to Know Before Installing an EV Charger
By Soundside ElectricalJuly 14, 2025Updated July 31, 20256 min read
Home EV charging is one of the best conveniences of owning an electric vehicle — but the installation isn't as simple as plugging in a charger. Here's what to figure out before the installation begins, so there are no surprises.
Know Your Panel's Capacity
An EV charger is a large load — typically a 40–60 amp dedicated circuit. Before anything else, a load calculation determines whether your panel can support it. If the panel is full or the service is undersized, a panel upgrade is done first.
This is the most important step and the one most often skipped. Adding a charger without a load calculation can overload the panel and create a safety hazard.
Decide on Location and Type
Where will the charger mount — garage, driveway, or carport? Indoor or outdoor? The location affects the run from the panel and whether the charger needs a weather-rated enclosure.
Hardwired or plug-in? Hardwired chargers are permanent and often eligible for more installations; plug-in units use a specific outlet (like a NEMA 14-50) and can be removed. Both need a dedicated circuit.
Plan for the Future
If you're planning a second EV, mention it. We can size the circuit and panel for future capacity rather than redoing the work later. The same goes for other planned loads like a heat pump or hot tub.
Surge protection pairs well with an EV charger — both are panel-level additions that protect your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Know your panel's capacity (via a load calculation), where the charger will mount, whether it's indoor or outdoor, your EV's charging amperage, and whether you want hardwired or plug-in. A site visit answers all of this.
Not always. A load calculation determines whether your panel can support the charger's dedicated circuit. If it can, we add the circuit directly; if not, a panel upgrade is done first.
Yes, with a weather-rated charger and enclosure. We select equipment rated for the location and run the circuit accordingly.
Get Started
Need an electrician in Wilmington, NC?
Call Soundside Electrical LLC or request service online. We handle residential and commercial electrical needs throughout Wilmington and coastal North Carolina.