Installing a home charger
Understand the key concepts before having a charger installed — power levels, connection, protections and standards.
This guide is informational. An electrical installation affects people's safety. Diagnosis, sizing and installation must be carried out by a certified electrician, in accordance with the applicable standards. Do not wire the connection yourself.
What power for your home?
Answer a few questions to get an indicative power range and a checklist to hand to an electrician. No data is stored or sent.
Single-phase or three-phase?
Your home's connection type determines the charging power available. It is shown on your electricity contract; if in doubt, an electrician confirms it at the panel.
Single-phase
One phase + neutral. It is the most common residential connection. Typical charging: 3.7 to 7.4 kW (16 to 32 A). More than enough for overnight charging.
Three-phase
Three phases + neutral. Enables faster AC charging: 11 to 22 kW. Suited to heavy needs or vehicles that accept three-phase AC charging.
Common charging power levels
| Power | Connection | Current | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 kW | Single-phase | 16 A | Slow charging — reinforced socket / small wallbox |
| 7.4 kW | Single-phase | 32 A | Common home wallbox (overnight charging) |
| 11 kW | Three-phase | 16 A | Three-phase wallbox — faster charging |
| 22 kW | Three-phase | 32 A | Fast AC charging — condo / pro parking |
Cable size — orders of magnitude
The values below are purely indicative. The actual size depends on the run length, the installation method, ambient temperature, allowable voltage drop and the applicable standards. Only a certified electrician can determine it.
| Power | Current | Indicative size (copper) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7 kW (1-ph) | 16 A | ≈ 2.5 mm² |
| 7.4 kW (1-ph) | 32 A | ≈ 6 mm² |
| 11 kW (3-ph) | 16 A | ≈ 2.5 mm² |
| 22 kW (3-ph) | 32 A | ≈ 6 mm² |
Beyond about twenty metres, the size often has to be increased to limit voltage drop — something the electrician calculates case by case.
Electrical protections
Dedicated circuit + breaker
The charger connects to a dedicated circuit protected by a breaker sized for its current (e.g. 32 A for 7.4 kW single-phase). Never spurred off an existing circuit.
Residual-current protection
Residual-current protection is required. Depending on the charger, a device sensitive to DC fault currents may be needed (a reinforced type A or a type B RCD, or DC detection built into the charger).
Earthing
A compliant, verified earth connection is essential to people's safety. Checking it is part of the installation.
Load shedding / control (optional)
A load-shedding device adapts the charge to the available power to avoid tripping when other appliances are running.
The main steps
Check the contract and the meter
The subscribed power (and the single- or three-phase contract type) determines the maximum charger you can install without upgrading the connection.
Have a diagnosis done by a certified electrician
The professional assesses the panel, the earthing, the distance to the charger location and the cable installation method.
Size the line and protections
Cable size, dedicated breaker and residual-current protection are calculated according to the power, the length and the applicable standards.
Install the charger on a dedicated circuit
The charger has its own protected line from the panel — never spurred off an existing circuit.
Check, test and document
Earthing, RCD tripping, heating and actual charging are verified before commissioning.
Reference standards
The usual reference for low-voltage electrical installations (and for supplying an electric vehicle) is the NF C 15-100 standard and its part dedicated to charging infrastructure. Locally applicable rules — notably in Morocco — must be validated with a professional and the distribution operator; this guide remains informational and does not replace the standards in force.
This guide is informational. An electrical installation affects people's safety. Diagnosis, sizing and installation must be carried out by a certified electrician, in accordance with the applicable standards. Do not wire the connection yourself.