EV charger installs done properly the first time.
A 7kW EV charger is not a power point. It draws 32 amps continuously for four to seven hours at a stretch - a load profile no other appliance in a home comes near. That's why the install rules in AS/NZS 3000 are explicit about a dedicated circuit, Type-B RCD protection, and a switchboard that can actually carry the load. Here's what an honest Illawarra install looks like, end to end.
What the install actually requires.
The dedicated 32A sub-circuit.
A Type-2 7kW single-phase charger draws 32 amps for the duration of a charge session. AS/NZS 3000 (and the EV-supplement AS/NZS IEC 61851) require its own dedicated final subcircuit straight from the switchboard, sized for continuous operation. We run 6mm² TPS or 6mm² orange-circular as appropriate, terminate it into a properly rated 32A circuit breaker, and label the circuit unambiguously. Sharing the circuit with anything else - a bathroom GPO, an outdoor light - is not legal and will fail an inspection.
Type-B RCD - the bit that's often missed.
Standard household RCDs are Type-A: they detect AC and pulsed-DC residual currents. EV chargers, because of their internal rectifier, can generate smooth-DC residual currents during a fault. A Type-A device is blind to those - it sees no fault current and will not trip. The standard requires either a Type-B RCD on the dedicated circuit, OR a charger with internal Type-A + 6mA DC detection (most modern Wallbox, Schneider EVlink, and Ocular models have this - Tesla Wall Connector relies on external Type-B). We confirm which path your specific charger needs and quote accordingly.
The four switchboard checks that come first.
- Board capacity: Is there physical room and pole-count for a 32A RCBO or breaker + Type-B device?
- Consumer mains: Will they carry the additional load without exceeding 80% of capacity?
- Earth integrity: Earth electrode tested, main bond confirmed, no shared earths.
- Existing protection: Is the board on shared RCDs, or per-circuit RCBOs? Shared RCDs across half the house plus an EV charger is a nuisance-trip nightmare and a safety concern.
Permits, warranty, and coastal realities.
The permit path.
A 7kW single-phase domestic charger install in Wollongong, Figtree, Corrimal or Berkeley is treated as a normal electrical alteration - no Council planning permit, but a CCEW lodged with NSW Fair Trading is mandatory. If you're stepping up to an 11kW or 22kW three-phase charger, Endeavour Energy needs to be notified (their network may impose an export-limit or a supply upgrade on your service mains). Strata properties - any of the newer apartment buildings around Wollongong CBD or Shellharbour - also need owners' corporation sign-off before electrical work hits common areas like a basement carpark.
Manufacturer warranty - what actually triggers it.
We've seen warranty claims rejected on properly-functioning three-year-old chargers because the installer didn't document the protection devices, didn't issue the install certificate, or used a Type-A RCD where the manual called for Type-B. We provide three things at handover: the CCEW, a one-page install record (cable size, breaker rating, RCD model and serial, test results), and photos of the board and unit. That's the pack the manufacturer asks for when something goes wrong and you need them to honour the warranty.
Coastal corrosion: a real Illawarra concern.
From Bulli and Thirroul down through Wollongong, Port Kembla and Kiama, salt-air corrosion attacks any electrical hardware mounted outdoors. We mount EV chargers under eaves or covered carports where possible, use IP65+ rated enclosures on the isolator, stainless steel mounting hardware, and UV-stable conduit on any cable run that sees direct sun. Standard zinc fasteners visibly corrode inside two years on beachfront installs. The premium is small; the alternative is replacing the whole unit.
Common EV charger install questions.
Can I add an EV charger to my existing switchboard?
Sometimes. On Illawarra estates built from about 2012 onward the board usually has room and the consumer mains are sized adequately. On anything pre-2010 it's roughly a coin-flip - we frequently recommend a partial board upgrade to fit a Type-B-capable RCBO and provide capacity headroom. We're up-front about that during the site visit so you have the full picture before deciding.
Is a 22kW three-phase charger worth it?
For most Illawarra households charging overnight off solar, probably not - a 7kW single-phase charger replenishes about 40km of range per hour, which fully recharges almost any EV between dinner and breakfast. Three-phase 11kW or 22kW makes sense if you regularly do high-mileage days back-to-back, run a fleet, or live in a home that already has three-phase supply. We'll size it to your actual usage rather than the biggest number on the brochure.
Can the charger be mounted in the carport or outside?
Yes, with the right enclosure. We use IP65 or higher rated units for any outdoor mount and pay attention to weather exposure - a unit on a north-west-facing wall in Bulli or Thirroul cops both afternoon sun and salt spray. We prefer a covered carport or eaves overhang where possible, with stainless mounting hardware and UV-stable conduit on any exposed cable run.
How long does the install take on the day?
A standard single-phase 7kW install on a switchboard that doesn't need work is four to six hours. If we need a partial board upgrade at the same time, full day. Three-phase or longer cable runs (e.g. board to the back of a long driveway) can push to a full day plus. We confirm the time on the morning of the install and keep you updated through the day.
Free EV charger install quote, written and itemised.
Dedicated 32A circuit, correct Type-B protection, full CCEW lodgement, install pack for warranty claims. Illawarra-wide.