A Level 2 EV charger draws 32 to 48 amps continuously, significantly impacting a home's NEC load calculation. Homes with 100A panels typically require a heavy-up to 200A or a smart energy management system to safely accommodate the charger alongside other major electric appliances.
The Massive Load of EV Charging
An EV charger is not a typical appliance. A 48A charger on a 60A breaker represents a continuous load that rivals an electric furnace. When analyzing your home's appliance load, the EV charger is often the tipping point for an electrical service upgrade.
NEC Load Calculations
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires a formal load calculation before adding high-draw circuits. This factors in the square footage of the home, small appliance branch circuits, the electric range, dryer, HVAC, and the EV charger.
100A vs 200A Panels
Most homes built before 1990 have 100A service. Adding a 40A or 50A EV circuit to a 100A panel is usually not permitted without load-shedding technology. A 200A heavy-up is the standard recommendation, costing $2,000-$4,000.
Smart Splitters and Load Management
If a panel upgrade is cost-prohibitive, smart splitters (like the NeoCharge) can share a 50A circuit between an electric dryer and an EV charger, pausing the EV charge when the dryer is running.