For homeowners who have already invested in solar panels and battery storage, choosing an EV charger isn't always simply about finding the cheapest or fastest charger available.
Integration can matter just as much.
That's exactly what influenced a recent customer in Zander Grove, Bedford, who contacted NRG Electrical about installing a 7.7kW Tesla EV charger at the front of their home.
They already had a solar PV system and Tesla battery, so they wanted to keep their energy management within the Tesla ecosystem rather than introducing another charger and another app.
Keeping Everything Together With Tesla
When the customer first contacted us, they explained that they wanted a charger installed on the same wall at the front of the property.
Their preference was for a Tesla Wall Connector because they already had a Tesla battery and solar installation and wanted to manage everything through the same app.
For this particular property, that made sense.
Rather than recommending a charger simply because it was the easiest one for us to install, we based the quotation around the customer's existing setup and what they actually wanted from their EV charging system.
Planning the Supply
The proposed Tesla charger required a dedicated supply from the property's existing consumer unit.
For this installation, the supply was designed to be taken from the existing consumer unit via a 40A MCB, with approximately 6 metres of cable required to reach the charger.
We also included a Garo PME distribution board with 40A double-pole RCBO protection as part of the installation.
This provides the additional protection required for the EV charging circuit and addresses the requirements associated with PME electrical supplies.
Why PME Protection Matters
One of the things we consider during an EV charger installation is the type of electrical supply at the property.
Where a property has a PME supply, appropriate protection against a potential PEN conductor fault needs to be considered when installing an EV charger.
For this project, the Garo PME protection board provided the dedicated protection required for the installation.
It's a good example of why an EV charger isn't simply a case of mounting a unit on the wall and connecting it to the nearest available circuit.
The existing electrical installation, supply arrangement, protection and cable route all need to be considered.
A Short Cable Run, But Still Properly Designed
The charger was to be installed on the front wall of the property, with approximately 6 metres of cable required between the existing consumer unit and the EV charging equipment.
Although this is a relatively short cable run, we still needed to consider the route, protection and termination of the supply.
A tidy installation isn't just about making the charger look good on the wall. The electrical work behind it needs to be correctly designed, installed and tested too.
DNO Notification Taken Care Of
Before proceeding, the customer also asked an important question: Would NRG Electrical notify the grid?
Yes.
As part of the installation process, we handle the required DNO notification for the EV charger. Once the installation has been completed and tested, the necessary notification is submitted to the local Distribution Network Operator.
The customer also receives the relevant electrical certification for the completed installation.
Taking care of this process means the homeowner doesn't have to navigate the DNO notification themselves.
What About the Warranty?
The customer also wanted to know what warranty protection came with the equipment and installation.
For this project, the quoted warranty cover was:
- Tesla Wall Connector: 4-year manufacturer's warranty in the UK
- Garo PME protection board: 3-year manufacturer's warranty
- NRG Electrical workmanship: 12-month installation warranty
Having clear warranty information is important when investing in an EV charging installation. It means the customer knows what cover applies to the equipment itself and what cover we provide for our installation work.
Why This Installation Was Different
The technical requirements of this installation were relatively straightforward, but the customer's existing energy setup was what really shaped the project.
They already had:
Solar PV → Tesla Battery → Tesla EV Charger
Keeping the charging equipment within the same Tesla ecosystem meant the customer could continue managing their energy setup through the system they were already familiar with.
For us, that's an important part of the consultation process.
We don't believe every customer needs the same EV charger. The right option depends on the vehicle, the property, the electrical installation and, increasingly, the other energy technology already installed at the home.
The Completed Installation
The project included:
- Supply and installation of a Tesla Wall Connector
- Installation on the existing front wall
- Supply from the existing consumer unit
- 40A MCB protection
- Garo PME distribution board
- 40A double-pole RCBO
- Approximately 6 metres of cable
- Full inspection and testing
- Electrical certification
- DNO notification
The result was a dedicated EV charging solution designed around the customer's existing solar and Tesla battery setup.
Considering a Tesla EV Charger?
If you already have solar panels, battery storage or other smart-home energy technology, it's worth considering how your EV charger will fit into the system before choosing one.
At NRG Electrical, we can assess your existing electrical installation, discuss your preferred charger, look at the cable route and recommend the appropriate protection for your property.
If you're based in Bedford or the surrounding Bedfordshire area, get in touch to arrange an assessment.
NRG Electrical Installation Services Ltd.
📞 Call us: 01234 964905
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From the initial enquiry through to installation, testing and DNO notification, we'll take care of the electrical side and make sure your new EV charger is installed safely and properly.
