7.4kW MyEnergi Zappi EV Charger Installation in Padstow

Electric vehicle ownership continues to grow across Cornwall, and Padstow is no exception. Our team recently carried out a complete installation of a 7.4kW tethered MyEnergi Zappi EV charger at a residential property in this beautiful coastal town.

This particular installation presented some interesting challenges that required careful planning and execution. The client needed their charger mounted on the exterior front-facing wall of their garage, but the cable route involved crossing a section of road and garden perimeter. This meant our work needed to be particularly thorough to meet safety standards while still providing reliable charging capabilities.

Our approach was methodical and organised across two days of work. The first day was dedicated entirely to preparing the groundwork for the installation. We started by carefully digging a trench at the regulation depth of 450mm across the road and pathway areas. This depth is crucial for protecting the cables from potential damage from vehicles or garden work.

The cable itself was housed within protective 32mm ducting and surrounded by sand to provide additional protection from the elements and any potential ground movement. Using 6mm steel wire armoured (SWA) cable gave us the perfect balance of durability and electrical efficiency for the 40-metre route. The armoured cabling provides excellent protection against physical damage, making it ideal for underground applications, especially where the cable route crosses areas that might experience heavy foot or vehicle traffic.

After laying the cable and ducting, we carefully refilled the trench, making sure everything was properly secured and positioned. The garden perimeter and road crossing were returned to their original condition, with careful attention paid to minimising any visual impact of our work.

On the second day, our focus shifted to the electrical components of the installation. We began by routing the cabling to the installation point and preparing the consumer unit for the new circuit. We installed a dedicated 40A circuit breaker within the existing consumer unit to provide appropriate protection for the charging circuit. This dedicated circuit is essential for EV charging as it prevents overloading of the household’s electrical system.

A key component of this installation was the addition of a surge protection device. This protective measure safeguards both the charger and the vehicle from potential power surges or grid fluctuations, which can be particularly important in more rural areas where power supply may occasionally fluctuate. The surge protector acts as a safety valve, diverting excess voltage away from sensitive equipment.

Perhaps the most intelligent aspect of this installation is the load monitoring device that came with the MyEnergi Zappi charger. This monitors the household’s electricity consumption in real-time and automatically adjusts the charging rate to prevent system overload. This means the client can charge their vehicle without worrying about tripping breakers or overwhelming their home’s electrical supply – particularly important in older properties with limited electrical capacity.

The MyEnergi Zappi charger itself offers a range of smart features that make EV charging more convenient and cost-effective. The unit can be programmed to charge during off-peak hours when electricity rates are typically lower, and it can even integrate with home solar panel systems to prioritise renewable energy when available.

We opted for the tethered version of the charger, which means it has a permanently attached charging cable. This provides added convenience as the user doesn’t need to retrieve a separate cable from their vehicle each time they want to charge. It also helps prevent cable theft, which can sometimes be an issue with detachable charging cables.

Following the physical installation, we conducted thorough electrical testing of the circuit to confirm everything was working correctly and safely. This testing allowed us to produce the required Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and complete the necessary Building Control Notification of Electrical Works. These documents are important for insurance purposes and confirm that the work has been carried out to the required safety standards.

The client was given a comprehensive demonstration of how to use their new charging system, including how to monitor energy usage through the charger’s display and smartphone app. We also discussed potential WiFi connectivity issues at the location of the charger and suggested solutions should this become problematic for the remote features.