Do household electric car chargers need a grounding wire

Many friends who install electric car chargers for home use are conflicted about whether or not to have a grounding wire? Today, let me talk to you all as a reference.

Let me briefly explain what the grounding wire is for. Electric vehicle chargers are high-power electrical appliances, and in case of aging or water damage to the wiring inside, the casing may become charged.

The ground wire is like a "safe passage" that can conduct electrical leakage into the ground, so that people will not get electrocuted if they touch it. Moreover, most electric vehicle chargers now have grounding detection. If they are not grounded or poorly grounded, the device may not work directly or stop halfway through charging.

Let's talk about the practical difficulties that everyone is currently facing. The most common issue is the problem of old residential areas. Many old houses and garages did not have a grounding wire left in the circuit when they were built, only a live wire and a neutral wire, and there was no place to connect them. Then there is the difficulty of constructing an underground garage. The soil in underground parking spaces is hard, and some are all made of cement, making it impossible to install grounding rods; Some properties do not allow drilling or excavation at will. There are also costs and troubles. Finding a professional electrician, purchasing materials, and carrying out construction work can cost several hundred yuan in small and scattered amounts; Some residential areas have complex approval processes and coordination is difficult. In addition, some people try to save time and think that "others are still using it without grounding" or that buying a grounding device online can handle it, but they don't take it seriously.

Hongjiali(HG Power) electric car chargers Project

Now, based on everyone's needs, here are a few reference solutions that are quite down-to-earth. You can choose according to your own situation.

1. Priority should be given to using the grounding wire of the distribution box in newly built residential areas. In residential areas after 2010, most household distribution boxes have grounding wires. Find a certified electrician and pull a yellow green wire from the grounding wire to the electric vehicle charger, which is simple and safe.

2. Independent grounding for old residential areas/underground garages. If there is no public grounding wire, a galvanized grounding rod of about 1.5 meters can be placed near the electric vehicle charger, smashed into damp soil, and connected to the grounding port of the electric vehicle charger with copper wire; If the soil is too dry, watering it with salt water around can enhance its conductivity. The cement floor of the underground garage cannot be reinforced with rods. You can coordinate with the property management to connect the fire cabinet floor or metal bridge shell, provided that the conductivity is confirmed to be correct.

3. Emergency certified grounding device (not recommended for long-term use). It is really impossible to carry out construction. For short-term emergencies, a 3C certified grounding device can be used, which can simulate grounding signals to make the machine work. But don't rely on it for a long time, after all, it is a virtual grounding, and the safety factor is not as good as a real ground wire.

4. Don't connect randomly. Do not connect the grounding wire to water or gas pipes, especially plastic water pipes, as they are not only useless but may also pose other safety hazards.

Finally, let me remind everyone. From the perspective of safety and normal use of equipment, grounding wire is definitely a more secure choice and not redundant. But the actual situation varies greatly, and there are indeed many difficulties in old residential areas and underground garages. Don't force yourself or blindly go through with it. Choose a suitable way based on your community's conditions and budget, and always prioritize safety.