EV charging puts a large load on your wiring for hours at a time, so protection matters. A good charger works with your home’s safety switch rather than replacing it, and watches for problems many times a second.
Your home’s safety switch (RCD)
A residual current device, or RCD, compares the current flowing out on the active wire with the current returning on the neutral. If some is missing, it may be leaking to earth, possibly through a person, so the RCD cuts power in a fraction of a second. Australian homes are required to have RCD protection on power circuits, and your electrician will confirm the right type for an EV circuit.
Why EV chargers add their own leakage protection
EV charging can produce types of leakage current, including smooth DC leakage, that some household RCDs are not designed to detect. That is why EV chargers include their own earth leakage detection, which stops charging if it senses a fault, independently of the switchboard.
The eight protections in an Evtronix charger
- Earth leakage: cuts power if current leaks to earth
- Over-current: stops the charger drawing more than it is set for
- Over-voltage: stops charging if the supply voltage goes too high
- Under-voltage: stops charging if the supply sags too low
- Over-temperature: monitors internal temperature and shuts down if things get too hot
- Control-pilot monitoring: checks the communication line with the car continuously
- Self-test at power-up: checks its own protection circuits every time it is plugged in
- IP67 sealed control box: keeps out dust and water
The control pilot handshake
This is what makes an EV charger different from a big extension lead. Before any power flows, the charger and car exchange signals through a dedicated pilot wire. The charger tells the car how much current is available, the car confirms it is ready, and only then does the charger switch on. Unplug the connector and power stops instantly. That is why the Type 2 pins are not live when you are holding the plug.
What the protections can’t do
A charger cannot see a worn power point, a loose connection inside the wall, or an extension lead plugged in between. That is why a licensed electrician should check any outlet you use for regular overnight charging, and why extension leads are a no. See Can you charge an EV with an extension lead?
Want to see our certifications? Visit our compliance page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need an RCD if my charger has earth leakage protection?
Yes. Your switchboard RCD protects the circuit and the charger protects the charging session. They work together.
Why does my charger stop with a fault?
It has detected something outside safe limits, such as low voltage, overheating or a pilot fault. Unplug, check the outlet and cables, and contact support if it repeats.
Are the pins on a Type 2 plug live?
No. Power only flows after the control pilot handshake confirms the plug is connected to a car.
Key takeaways
- Your home RCD and the charger’s protections work together
- EV chargers detect leakage types some household RCDs may miss
- The control pilot handshake keeps the plug dead until connected
- Protections can’t fix a bad outlet, so get it checked