Summary:
Installing an EV charger in your garage is safest when handled by a licensed electrician who follows California Electrical Code (CEC) and National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. Key steps include checking your panel capacity first, using a dedicated 240-volt circuit, keeping cords organized, and protecting equipment from moisture. Proper installation prevents shocks, fires, and damage so you can keep using your home charger without issue.
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Installing an EV charger in your garage is an excellent way to make life easier if you own an electric vehicle. Being able to park, plug it in, and wake up the next day ready to drive is so much more efficient than relying on public charging stations.
The only problem? Safety is paramount before, during, and after your new device is installed because it connects to your electrical system and carries a continuous charge. So much can go wrong otherwise—including serious shocks and damaged equipment.
Below, we’ll walk you through the most important safety tips, what your home needs to support a charger, and how professional EV charger installation makes the job more reliable from the first visit to the final sign-off.
Safety Tips For Garage-Based EV Chargers
Even the best EV chargers on the market can cause big problems if they aren’t installed correctly. These simple safety practices will help protect your home, your electric vehicle, and everyone who uses the charger each day.
1. Never Try to Install an EV Charger Yourself
EV chargers are hardwired into your home’s electrical system, and there’s a lot of voltage moving through those circuits at any given time. Trying to DIY the installation can lead to serious shocks, fires, and code violations that void your homeowner’s insurance.
Having a licensed electrician handle the job isn’t optional—it’s mandatory in order to meet guidelines set out under:
- The city for permitting
- California Electric Code (CEC)
- National Electric Code (NEC)
- Many home insurance polices
More importantly, it’s the only real way to be sure your new charger is safe, reliable, and ready to use from day one.
2. Have an Electrician Check Your Electrical System First
Most homes today have a 200-amp panel that offers enough capacity to handle the additional load that comes from an EV charger. If you still have an older 60-amp, 100-amp, or 150-amp panel instead, or outdated knob-and-tube-wiring, you might need an update first.
During the initial assessment, your electrician should confirm:
- The total amperage of your current panel
- How much “load” or power do you already use day-to-day
- If your panel has enough space for a new EV charger circuit
- Whether you have the right wiring in place or need wiring, too
- If your system needs repairs or shows signs of wear and tear.
If your system is badly out of date or already in need of repair, adding an EV charger into the mix can lead to tripped breakers, outages, and electrical fires.
3. Run Your New AV on a Dedicated Circuit
Level 2 chargers draw around 30 to 50 amps while they’re in use. If you install them on the same circuit as other major appliances, you are more likely to experience:
- Tripped breakers, breaker failures, and short circuits
- Slow charging, especially when you’re running other appliances
- Overheating inside the panel or anywhere along the lines
Best practices (and modern code) stipulate that EV chargers should always be installed on their own 240-volt circuit. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to run a new line at the same time.
4. Keep Cords Neat and Organized
As electricians, we work in shops, warehouses, and garages every day. As a rule, we always keep loose cables and cords up off the ground and neatly organized in environments like these—and you should be at home in your garage, too.
Leaving them lying around in your garage can have serious consequences:
- Someone could trip and fall or seriously injure themselves
- The cable could get pinched under tires or heavy tools
- The plug or cord might wear out faster due to daily stress
- Pets and wildlife might chew on them and get hurt
In garages, it’s best to install a wall-mounted hook, cable management system, or holster that will keep all parts tucked away when not in use.
5. Install Weather and Moisture Protection
Here in the Bay Area, we get so much nice weather year-round that we tend to assume dampness isn’t a concern in garages and outbuildings. This isn’t true! Even if the weather’s nice, moisture build-up can still occur because of:
- Coastal humidity
- Damp concrete/floors
- Condensation/fog
- Steam from laundry appliances
- Roof or plumbing leaks
- Flash floods or pooling water
Over time, influences like these can corrode the components in your EV charger, trip GFCI sensors, and wreak havoc on your wiring. To stave off the effects, don’t install it next to windows, doors, or appliances and keep it at least 18″ off the ground at all times.
How Modern Codes Help Keep You Safe
Both the California Electrical Code (CEC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC) set guidelines for what you need to install an EV charger and where they can be installed. Most of the rules directly relate to the safety tips we mentioned in some way, including:
- NEC 625: Sets the standards for mounting height and cord storage that we mentioned earlier in “Safety Tips.”
- CEC 625.42: States that any EV charger that draws over 60 amps or 150 volts to ground must have an easy-to-access shut-off switch with a lock.
- CEC 110.27 B: Indicates that EV chargers in a garage must not be placed in the path of a vehicle to protect them from impacts.
- CEC 110.3 B: States that only EV chargers certified by a recognized lab may be installed. This will include most branded products you can buy locally in the Bay Area.
- NEC 625.54: Makes it mandatory for all EV chargers that pull up to 250 volts at a time need to have GFCI protection in place (special surge protectors).
San Mateo and most other local cities often have their own rules, too, and they often relate to or limit the ability to access permits. One of the advantages of having us handle the job for you is that we can often go through the permitting process on your behalf.
The EV Installation Journey
Curious about what a service call like this looks like or what to expect? See the infographic below to follow along on the journey we typically follow from first call to final testing.
Frequently Asked Questions About EV Charger Installation
1. How much does it cost to install an EV charger?
Costs can vary depending on your current setup and your goals. You can expect to pay around $1,300 for a basic install if you already have circuits and outlets in place. Costs may be higher if you need a panel upgrade first.
Give us a call at (650) 294-8598 for an upfront quote. Or, try our free EV charger cost calculator—it’ll give you a rough estimate based on what you know!
2. What type of charger should I install?
Most people install a Level 2 charger for home charging. Go with a dual Level 2 charger if you need to charge two cars at once, and/or a portable charger if you want to take it with you. DC fast charging is also an option, but it’s cost-prohibitive and somewhat complex to set up.
3. I just want a Level 1 charger. Do I still need help?
Yes. Even though Level 1 EV chargers plug into a regular household outlet, it’s smart to have us check to make sure your electrical system can handle the increased load. This is especially true if you have a very old electrical system or a low-amperage panel (60A).
We recommend upgrading to a 200-amp panel at minimum before running new technologies, like EV chargers, smart home devices, and high-efficiency appliances.
Caccia Makes Charging Your EV At Home Easy
It takes skill, knowledge, and expertise to install an EV charger the right way the first time around, but taking the time to find a pro you can trust to handle the job is worth it. At Caccia Home Services, we go the extra mile to make sure you’re getting value for your money and a device you can rely on for years to come. Send us a message to start your next project!