A tethered charger has its cable permanently attached. An untethered (socketed) charger has a Type 2 socket, and you plug in a separate cable each time. It's a small decision that affects your daily routine for years.
Ring 0421 772 661 to talk it through. We install both styles, and the wiring behind them is the same.
With a tethered charger you park, lift the plug off its holster and plug in. There's nothing to fetch from the boot, which is why most home buyers lean this way. The trade-off is that the cable is always there, so it needs somewhere to live that's tidy and out of the way.
An untethered charger is neater on the wall and lets you choose your cable length. If a cable gets damaged, you replace the cable rather than calling someone to service a fixed lead. It also suits households who might want a longer or shorter cable later. The trade-off is the small daily task of getting the cable out and putting it away.
Single-driver households, garages where the charger sits beside the car, and anyone who values a quick plug-in.
Carports or driveways facing the street, homes with several possible parking positions, and people who like a clean wall.
Most EVs in Australia use a Type 2 inlet for AC charging, so both styles work with nearly all current cars.
In a locked garage, cable theft isn't a concern. On an open driveway or carport, a cable left hanging can be tampered with or stolen, so some people prefer untethered and keep the lead in the car. Many chargers also have app or RFID locking to stop strangers using them.
Both styles are made for outdoor use when the unit's rating suits the spot, but sun and rain take a toll on cables over time. A tethered lead coiled on a holster lasts better than one left on the ground where it can be driven over. We think about this when choosing the mounting height and position.
With a tethered charger, the fixed cable length sets where the charger can go. It needs to reach your car's charge port comfortably, whichever way you park, without stretching across walkways. Charge port position varies a lot between models, so tell us what you drive, and what you might drive next.
With untethered, you can buy a longer cable later if needed, but very long cables are heavy and messy to handle every day. Most people are happiest when the charger sits close enough that a standard length does the job.
Behind the wall there's no difference: a dedicated circuit sized for the charger, RCD protection as the manufacturer requires, a solid fixing, testing to AS/NZS 3000 and a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work. Many brands offer both styles of the same charger, including the Zappi and Wallbox ranges, while the Tesla Wall Connector is tethered.
See our Lilyfield EV charger job for an example of a tidy garage install.
Tethered chargers are the more common home choice because there's no cable to fetch, but untethered suits plenty of homes.
You need a Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable for a socketed wall charger. The portable charger that came with some cars is a different item.
Both are designed for it when correctly rated and mounted. Untethered mainly helps with cable theft and tidiness on open driveways.
Not much. The circuit, cable run and switchboard work usually drive the cost, not the cable style.
Yes. Send us the model and photos of the switchboard and parking area for a written quote. Licence 332956C.
NSW Electrical Contractor Licence 332956C · Fully insured · Since 2016 · Based in Hurlstone Park
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