What happens during the first visit for a home EV charger?
The first visit is a walk through where the electrician looks at your panel, the open breaker spaces, the route to the parking spot and the charger you plan to use. That visit produces a written scope so you know what the job involves.
The electrician usually runs a load calculation to see whether the panel can carry a new continuous load next to your air conditioning and other big appliances. In Arizona homes with older 100 amp service, this step often decides whether the job is simple or needs more. Expect questions about breaker spaces and the age of the panel. Ask about any plans for a pool.
Bring the make and model of your charger and your car if you have them. Charging speed depends on both the car and the circuit, so the electrician can match the circuit size to what the vehicle can actually accept. Photos of the panel label and garage wall also help with accurate pricing. Send those before the visit. Keep them handy.
Does a home EV charger need a permit in Arizona?
A new 240 volt EV circuit generally needs an electrical permit and an inspection from your city or county building department. A licensed contractor normally pulls that permit and is responsible for the work. Confirm the exact local requirement with your city.
The permit protects you as the owner. An inspector looks at the breaker, wire size, grounding and the final connection, which catches problems that stay hidden behind drywall until something overheats. Most building departments also close the permit after inspection, and that closed record is worth keeping with your house papers. Ask for a copy when it closes. Ask when it will be closed.
Skipping the permit can cause trouble later with insurance questions or when you sell the house. A licensed electrician handles the paperwork and the inspection appointment, so you are not left coordinating with the building department yourself. Rules differ by city and county, so ask for the process at your address. The electrician walks you through it. Ask them to explain it.
Can I wire the EV charger circuit myself?
A 240 volt EV charger circuit should be installed by a licensed electrician, not as a homeowner project. The work involves the panel, a continuous high amperage load and code rules for wire size, breakers and protection. Mistakes show up as heat, often long after the install.
Charging is a long, steady load that can run for hours overnight, which is harder on wiring and connections than a typical appliance. A loose lug or an undersized wire may work for a week and then overheat. That is why this is not a weekend project, and why the panel cover stays closed. Heat builds quietly inside bad connections.
If you have already bought a charger, keep the box and the manual and hand them to the electrician. Do not open the panel to look around. Stop and call if you notice a hot breaker, a burning smell or sparking, and leave the charger unplugged until it is checked. Do not touch scorched parts. Do not touch scorched parts or hot covers.
How long does a home EV charger installation take?
Most home EV charger installations take part of a day once the permit and the equipment are ready. A short run from the panel to a garage wall goes quickly. Long runs, trenching, finished walls or panel work all add time.
The biggest variables are distance and access. A charger on the wall right behind the panel needs little wire. A charger on the far side of a block wall or across a patio may need conduit routed through an attic or underground, and that takes more labor and more planning with the inspector. Weather and scheduling can shift the timeline.
If the panel cannot handle the load, plan on a separate visit for a panel upgrade or a load management device. The electrician states this in the written quote, so there are no surprises on install day. Ask about scheduling the inspection too, since that affects when you can start charging. Plan a few days of buffer. Plan a few spare days.
Need an EV Charger Installed?
Vortech installs Level 2 home chargers across Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise. See EV charger installation or read the full guide on this topic.
More questions: Home EV Charger Installation: 12 Most Asked Questions Answered