Tesla vehicles have been growing in popularity in Australia over the last few years, and AB Electrical & Communications in Sydney is here to assist homeowners from Sydney with installing connectors to simplify their charging needs. Our licensed electricians visited our clients’ home and provided a quote for installing the charging equipment.
What the client was after:
The client contacted AB Electrical & Communications to install a Tesla charger for their electrical vehicle.
Tesla drivers have three main options when it comes to charging their cars:
- A mobile connector or Level 1 charger
- A wall charger or Level 2 charger
- A supercharger or Level 3 charger
The first two options are the most popular among drivers. Our clients decided to install a Level 2 connector at home, so our electricians had to create a cavity in double brick walls and use the roof space to run a 3-phase circuit. This type of charger requires installation by a qualified electrician.
What work was completed:
The AB Electricians in Sydney visited the client’s residence to determine what kind of work they must complete to install a Tesla Charger. Once they established where to place the connector, they ran a 3-phase orange circular power cable from the main switchboard to the desired location, drilled it into the cavity, and used the pit in the wall to run the cable up and over to the other side of the property where the main switchboard is located. The task required our electricians to use the roof space as a means of access, and they took the necessary precautions to not damage the surface.
After installing the electrical circuits in the desired location, the electricians installed a Tesla charger and a 3-phase 20amp RCBO/safety switch at the main switchboard. Once the charger was in place, our Sydney Electricians tested it and commissioned the project.
When can I install a Tesla charger myself, and when do I need the help of a professional electrician?
The convenience of having a Tesla charger at home makes the experience of owning an electric car much more convenient. Tesla recommends always asking for the help of a licensed electrician to install wall connectors and circuits because most houses in Sydney require service panel upgrades before putting the charging station in place.
Do I need a Tesla wall connector to charge my electric car, or can I just charge the car through a regular outlet?
The short answer is you should install a Tesla wall connector, but there are some alternative solutions. All Tesla vehicles come with mobile chargers you can connect to outlets, and you may consider using yours if you want to save on money. However, it’s not recommended because it adds around 8-17 kilometres of driving to the car’s battery per hour. A wall connector charges the vehicle faster, adding 50 to 70 kilometres per hour.
The wall connector is permanently mounted on a surface, and you can install it both indoors and outdoors.
Is the Tesla wall charger weatherproof?
Tesla vehicles are well-known for their safety features. The manufacturer designed the charging parts in such a way to enable charging in all instances (during rain, dust storms, and snow). The ports on the vehicles and walls are waterproof and dustproof, designed to keep water and dust out.
When you plug the charger cord, you hear a click sound that notifies you that charging your car is safe. Tesla Wall connectors are NEMA 3R rated, meaning that they are weather resistant and can withstand exterior factors such as dust and dirt and weather phenomena like rain, snow or sleet. The charger was designed as an outdoor connector, so it’s waterproof and dustproof. Therefore, you can use the connector in any weather conditions without the fear of getting electrocuted.
Where the job was completed;
The Greenwich Electrician specialists from AB Electrical & Communications installed the Tesla wall connector at Innes Rd, Greenwich NSW 2065.
Who worked on the job:
At AB Electrical & Communications, we’ve been installing home Tesla chargers for a while, and all our electricians have the needed knowledge and experience to handle this kind of project. This job was completed by Benny (Tradesman) and Matt (Apprentice).
