Three-phase charging sounds like the obvious upgrade, but the faster rate only arrives if your property, your charger and your car all support it. For many Inner West homes, single-phase charging overnight is more than enough.
Ring 0421 772 661 if you're unsure what supply you have. A photo of the meter box and switchboard usually answers it.
Most houses in Sydney's Inner West are supplied with single-phase power: one active conductor from the street. Some homes, often larger or renovated ones, and many small commercial premises have three-phase: three actives, which allows more power to be drawn in total.
A typical single-phase home charger delivers roughly 7 kW. A three-phase charger can deliver considerably more, commonly up to around 11 kW or 22 kW depending on the charger, but only if the car's onboard charger can accept three-phase AC at that rate. Many EVs accept around 11 kW on three-phase; some accept only single-phase. Check your car's specifications rather than relying on the charger's headline figure.
Three-phase boards usually have a main switch spanning three poles and three-pole breakers for big loads. If in doubt, ask us.
Look up your car's maximum AC charging rate. That caps what any home charger can give it.
Many charger models come in single- and three-phase versions. Buy the one that matches your supply.
Work out how far you drive on a typical day. Most commuting is easily replaced overnight on single-phase, because the car sits plugged in for many hours. The extra speed of three-phase matters more if you do long daily distances, have two EVs sharing one charger, or regularly need a quick top-up in the middle of the day.
Faster isn't always free, either. Charging at high power draws a big share of your supply, so on any home we check what else runs at the same time. Some chargers can manage this with load balancing, reducing their rate when the house is busy.
If your home is single-phase, moving to three-phase isn't just a charger swap. It involves an application to Ausgrid, work on the service connection and metering, and usually a new or heavily modified switchboard. Whether it's possible, and what it involves, depends on the street supply and the property. It can be worthwhile when you're also electrifying heating, hot water and cooking, or renovating, but it's rarely justified for EV charging alone.
If you already have three-phase, a three-phase charger is often a sensible choice, provided your car can use it. If you're single-phase, a well-installed single-phase charger is the practical answer for most people. Our switchboard upgrade page covers the board side of either path.
Supply type, main switch and service capacity, switchboard space, the cable route to the car, and the protection the charger's instructions call for. Three-phase circuits use larger multi-core cable and three-pole protection, so they cost more to run than single-phase over the same distance.
Everything is tested to AS/NZS 3000 and certified with a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work. Our three-phase switchboard job in Ashfield shows what a three-phase board looks like after an upgrade.
Some three-phase chargers can run on single-phase, but only at single-phase speed. It's usually simpler to buy the single-phase version.
Only if your car's onboard charger accepts three-phase AC. Check its maximum AC rate first.
For most commuters, yes. Overnight charging on a single-phase home charger typically replaces a normal day's driving with plenty to spare.
It needs an application to Ausgrid and work on the supply, meter and switchboard. We can assess whether it's practical at your property.
Yes. We install single- and three-phase chargers and handle the switchboard work. Licence 332956C, fully insured.
NSW Electrical Contractor Licence 332956C · Fully insured · Since 2016 · Based in Hurlstone Park
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