EV Charger Installation Day: What Happens and How Long It Takes

Booking a home EV charger is exciting, and many people want to know what happens on the day. Most installations are completed in a single visit, with the power off for only part of it. This post walks through a typical installation day in a London home, so you know what to expect.

Before the day: the survey

Before installation, we check the supply, main fuse, earthing, consumer unit and the route from the board to where the charger will go. Photos or a short visit are usually enough. Any upgrades, such as a new consumer unit, are planned in advance. Our guide on whether you need a new consumer unit explains why this matters.

Arrival and setting out

On the day, the electrician confirms the charger position with you, checks the cable route and protects floors where needed. If the charger goes on a post rather than the wall, the post position is agreed first.

Running the cable

The cable is run from the consumer unit to the charger, inside the house where possible, then through the wall to the outside. Where it has to run outside, it is clipped neatly or run in a protective conduit. This is often the longest part of the job in older London houses, where the board is at the front and the drive at the side.

Power off and connection

The power is switched off while the new circuit is connected at the consumer unit, usually for an hour or two. If a board upgrade is needed at the same time, the power may be off for longer. We let you know in advance so you can plan around it.

Testing and handover

• The new circuit is tested and the charger is commissioned.
• The charger is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data and linked to your account.
• We show you how to plug in, schedule charging and use the app.
• You receive the installation certificate, and the network operator is notified.

Our guide to smart charger rules explains the scheduling features.

How long it takes

A straightforward installation on a drive next to the house usually takes around half a day. Longer cable runs, post mounted chargers or board upgrades can take most of the day.

Energy North Ltd installs home chargers across North, East and West London with City & Guilds certified electricians. See our EV charger installation page to book a survey.