Can I charge an electric vehicle at home using a regular power outlet?
November 21, 2024
Level 2 EV chargers feature different power ratings and currents, going from 30 amps (7.2kW) up to 80 amps (19kW), but we usually recommend a middle point of 50 amps to get a good performance. Using a 50 amp car charger usually hits the right spot, easily charging an EV overnight or in a few hours during the day.
If you want to learn more about 50 amp car charger options and acquire one of the best models available, this article is for you. Here we introduce important features and aspects to look for in a 50 amp EV charger, review and compare the best 50 amp EV charger models and analyze the charging time for these.
A 50 amp level 2 charger is a robust option featuring different specifications. In this section, we will analyze what to look for in one of these chargers.
There are two types of installation designs for EV chargers: wall-mounted or pedestals. Wall-mounted is the most popular option, these require wall space, but allow you to install an EV charger even when there is limited floor space. Pedestal EV chargers usually feature a higher aesthetic design (similar to gas station charging stalls), but require some important floor space for installation. For home applications it is more common to find wall-mounted applications while for commercial applications it is more common to find pedestal options.
Indoor installations can use any type of EV charger, but if you want to get a 50 amp EV charger for an outdoor installation, you should be careful with the Ingress Protection (IP) rating. Most EV chargers feature an IP rating of IP44 up to IP54, but the only EV chargers suitable for outdoor installations are the ones featuring an IP65 – IP66 protection rating or higher.
EV chargers may either come tethered or untethered. Tethered EV chargers include the charging cable pre-installed, but you have to be careful as not to damage the cable since this could render the charger useless. Untethered EV chargers, on the other hand, require an external cable that can be exchanged in the future if it is damaged.
When selecting a 50 amp level 2 charger, you should always consider the safety features included in the device. These features will not only protect the device and ensure optimal operability, but they will also protect you and your family. Some EV charger safety features include protection against over-voltage, ground fault detection, shutdown when the EV is disconnected, and more.
The user interface makes it easy to monitor, adjust, and manage the EV charger. Non-smart EV chargers include a simple user interface managed in the control panel, while smart EV chargers may include the display screen, but can also be accessible through a mobile App interface or a web desktop interface, granting you complete control over monitoring and adjustments over the device in a remote way.
There are many EV chargers with smart capabilities, but not all of them are the same. Some include simple smart features like schedule charging, real-time monitoring, and similar options, while more advanced EV chargers include advanced features like power sharing, load balancing, and others.
To find the best 50 amp car charger for you, it is important to pick among the best available options. After reviewing many EV chargers, we came up with a curated list featuring the 5 best 50 amp EV chargers.
The CyberSwitching CSE1 is one of the best 50 amp level 2 charger models available in the market today. This is a wall-mounted EV charger featuring a 18 ft. cable, but it can be customized with a longer cable as well. The EV charger can be monitored and controlled over a mobile app while connecting to the charger via Wi-Fi or SIM. This charger features a NEMA 3R protection rating, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor usage.
The ChargePoint Home Flex is another great 50 amp EV charger model available. This charger features a wall-mounted design, an external charging cable (included), a variable charging speed of 16 up to 50 amps, and a great user interface via mobile app. The charger connects to the internet via Wi-Fi.
There are several smart features included in the ChargePoint Home Flex that you can manage over the app. These include scheduled charging, reminder setting, charging tracking, Alexa voice control, and more. Additionally, it includes protection against overvoltage and under-voltage and ground fault detection.
The PrimeComTech 50 amp EV charger is one of the most capable EV chargers available. It features a 25 ft. or 30 ft. tethered charging cable, a wall-mounted design, and features like delayed charging, temperature metering, and others. All these features can be accessed via the display screen in the charger. The PrimeComTech charger features protection against over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, and current leakage.
Figure 1: AC Charging Curve – Source: EVBox
In Figure 1 it can be appreciated that the EV charging process is not 100% linear, it slightly varies the charging speed at the beginning and the end of the cycle, however, we can roughly estimate the charging time using a 50 amp EV charger by dividing the battery capacity by the hourly power rate of the charger.
A 50 amp level 2 charger operating at 240V, will deliver on average 12kWh per hour to an EV battery. Charging an average 40kWh EV battery would take around 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Some modern EVs with longer driving ranges feature 60kWh up to 80kWh batteries. A 50 amp car charger would charge the 60kWh battery in around 5 hours and the 80kWh battery in 6 hours and 40 minutes.
Comparing all 50 amp EV chargers in the list will help you determine the best one for you. To help you with this, we created a comparison table featuring the best 50-amp EV charger options.
Table 1: Comparison table for the best 50 amp EV charging stations
CyberSwitching EV Charger on Pedestal
CyberSwitching Dual EV Charging Station
Original price was: $2,890.00.$2,690.00Current price is: $2,690.00.
Original price was: $4,150.00.$3,790.00Current price is: $3,790.00.
Original price was: $1,650.00.$1,490.00Current price is: $1,490.00.
Original price was: $2,290.00.$2,150.00Current price is: $2,150.00.
Original price was: $1,290.00.$799.00Current price is: $799.00.
$10,690.00 – $11,390.00
Your Power Management Partner for Over 25 Years Future Generations Depend on Our Decisions Today ™
2024 © All rights reserved by CyberSwitching