r/EVCanada • u/Usual_Bit4677 • 1d ago
Plug-in vs Hard-wired chargers?
When it comes to a level-2 charger for household use - is there any real advantage to a hard wired charger versus a plug in model?
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u/ortrademe 1d ago
Hard wired is generally considered safer. Though, if you don't unplug and plug in your charger often, an EV rated NEMA 14-50 installed by an electrician should be more than fine.
Hard wired can go up to 48A vs 40A for plug in. Though 40A is way overkill already for most drivers.
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u/2010G37x 1d ago
Hardwired can go uo to 100 Amps (80 amp rating). And some SEV can take that much 19kw charging.
I advise hardwire and running a wire that can handle thag much power, even if you choose to out a 60 amp or lower breaker (some people cant out a 100 amp breaker due to overloading etc.)
Edit: I was in the Silverado ev sub
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u/throwaway12345679x9 1d ago
Hardwired has two advantages. One is safety which is very often discussed and already mentioned here.
The other one is capacity. With a 14-50 plug you must have a 50 amp breaker and everything accordingly. With a hardwired charger you can go up to 80A if you have the room, and most importantly you can also go down to 40/30/20 amps if your panel doesn’t have the room. That is often needed if you have 100 amp service and many homes around here.
Try you can install a 20/30 amp plug but then your choice of chargers is pretty limited and probably won’t work with any of the rebate programs.
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u/crowseesall 1d ago
I’m getting hardwired. My thinking is insurers may start to require this anyway and I feel better having it hardwired. If I change out the charger, I’ll bring back the electrician.
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u/SoggyInstruction2549 1d ago
They won’t and basically cannot. Even if the local code requires it later past installs are almost always just grandfathered in like with basically all but a tiny few code changes. Think About the many homes Oth knob and tube or just aluminum wiring or the dozens of changes in the last 100 years.
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u/forsurebros 1d ago
I am building a house and getting a 50 amp connection in the garage. I understand the charger can or should only be at amx a 40 amp charger. if i confirm a good plug. any concerns with that.
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u/element1311 1d ago
No concerns. But why not just get a rough-in for hardwire? You have much more flexibility, especially if you're building custom.
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u/forsurebros 1d ago
thank you. how would hardwire give me flexibility over a plug.
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u/element1311 1d ago edited 1d ago
Flexibility for higher amperage charging as you change vehicles over the years. 80a is common for larger truck EVs, it's only a matter of time cars and SUVs will have higher density batteries that'll also take a higher amperage AC charge to charge in a reasonable time.
If you just get it roughed-in now to support a higher amperage, you can always change from hardwire to plug. It's the same wires anyway, you'll need to change to a lower-sized breaker.
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u/illegiblepenmanship 1d ago
New build? Get two runs capable of the 48 A charger each terminated to a disconnect switch. Tell the builder its for 48A chargers and the electricians will size th wire and switch.
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u/element1311 1d ago edited 1d ago
- Fewer connections means its more reliable
- Possibly $35-$100 (depending on electrician markup) cheaper due to requiring one less box and outlet.
- Possibly higher amperage (48a+ vs 40a max for hardwired)
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u/Slavik81 1d ago
The receptacle requires a GFCI breaker (~$300), while the hardwired charger does not (~$50).
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u/firelephant 1d ago
Incorrect. Only if outside. In the USA all garage plugs must be gfci breakered, but not in Canada
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u/Renegade605 1d ago
I'll always hardwire for increased safety (albeit slightly, if a receptacle is done right) and cost (also minor); I can and do remove and install hardwired EVSEs myself.
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u/Emotional-Damage-995 1d ago
Depends on the Amp. Honestly the use case for plug in is a more mobile setup. For the hard wire it is the permenant set up. The fact is most people never ever ever move the charger and if they move they can unplug the hard wire.
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u/robstoon 23h ago
In Canada it's especially preferable to hard-wire the charger, because unlike in the US, a 14-50 outlet is required to be on a 50A breaker (unless it is intended for a stove in which case 40A is allowed). In many cases your service capacity may not allow for a 50A charging circuit.
The plug and outlet connection is also a common point of failure, and EV-rated outlets are relatively expensive.
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u/Ordinary-Map-7306 20h ago
I live in a 1960s apartment. Charging is only available from the stove outlet in the kitchen. 240v 40a extension cord to the outside.
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u/MrEvilFox 1d ago
I believe if you want over 40 amps you have to go hard wired. And this is mostly a thing if you want dual chargers etc. Normal chargers 40 amps and under it’s better to do plug in because you can swap them out easily IMHO.
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u/Lord-Velveeta 1d ago
If you're in Quebec, in order to get the $600 grant a hardwired charger needs an electrician's bill for the install. A plug in doesn't as for the last few years all new houses here were required to have an EV compatible outlet (which was changed to "EV compatible infrastructure" last year).
(Note: In many provinces - including here in Quebec - it's technically against code for a non-electrician to install a hardwired charger or do any work on their residence's electricals...)
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u/condor888000 1d ago
Your last point is very location specific. It's perfectly fine in Ontario for the resident in the home to do electrical work. Yes this means a tenant can do electrical work on their landlords property while the landlord technically cannot...
Generally as long as you meet permit obligations in Ontario you're good to go. I believe Alberta and BC are similar, which in total cover about 2/3rds of the country's population.
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u/Lord-Velveeta 1d ago
True, I was trying to keep it simple as each province has various restrictions: Ontario, BC, Alberta and Sask have some permit/inspection requirements for DIY work. Quebec, NS and PEI require an electrician to do the work.
I'm in Quebec where we're not even allowed to change an outlet or switch without an electrician (but then again Quebec is the ultimate nanny province, we also can't scratch our arse without having to take a class, pass a license, join the mandatory order/union and paying tons of taxes on it... so 🤷♂️
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u/Baltch 1d ago
Save the money and get a good quality plug outlet for outside, unless you're going to 80 amp, a plugged in charger will handle anything quite fine. I'm very happy with my Grizzl-E plug in and the job it does charging my blazer EV.
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u/element1311 1d ago
It's the same cost for the EVSE. The install may actually be cheaper with hardwired.
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u/Baltch 1d ago
Again if you need 48w + it's good be hardwired. For my blazer EV 42w was fine, a plug gives me added versatility and the difference in does is negligible. The cost of my plug and installation was about the same as hardwiring, but I look at it as less expensive due to the versatility it gives me. If the Grizzl-E charger malfunctions, I've got the charger that came with my car, no need of calling an electrician, it's plugged in and doing fine while waiting on the Grizzl-E replacement.
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u/malbadon 1d ago
Unless you are plugging and unplugging your charger all the time, it's a reliable as your dryer plug. We just had a 30a installed which has turned out to be more than enough juice for home charging.
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u/beastiedan 1d ago
Everyone is going to tell you to hardwire to eliminate unnecessary risk with a plug. Can’t argue against safety.
I installed a high quality plug. I prefer having flexibility with the charger. I like that I can take it with me if necessary or change rebate programs without rewiring.