Accredited EV Charger Installers in Killara

Multi-car garages are a common setup in Killara, and installing two or three EV chargers is achievable with the right planning. The key constraint is total supply capacity and what's available for additional EV loads running simultaneously.

Each 7.2kW charger draws 32A continuously when in use. Two chargers running at full output simultaneously draw 64A, which exceeds the capacity of a standard 63A residential connection. The most practical solution is a load-sharing configuration where the chargers communicate and automatically divide available current between them. If only one car is charging, it gets the full output. When both are plugged in, the available current is shared between them. Neither vehicle reaches the maximum rate simultaneously, but both charge at whatever the supply allows without tripping the main breaker.

For properties with three-phase supply, which some larger Killara blocks have, available capacity is considerably higher and multi-charger setups are more straightforward. We confirm supply type and board capacity during the site assessment and design a solution for your specific garage layout. Planning conduit routes for all positions from the start, even if only one charger is installed initially, avoids more disruptive work when the second vehicle arrives.

There is no fixed maximum distance, but run length affects the cable size required. As the cable gets longer, voltage drop increases at a given current. AS/NZS 3000 limits acceptable voltage drop to 5% from the main switchboard to the point of use. For a 7.2kW charger drawing 32A continuously, maintaining that limit over a long run requires a heavier cable than a short run would need.

A 6mm2 cable handles most runs up to around 25 to 30 metres. Beyond that, 10mm2 is typically required. Runs approaching 50 metres or more may need 16mm2 cable. The larger cable is more expensive and heavier, but the run is not impractical. For Killara properties with detached garages or long driveways well separated from the main house switchboard, longer cable runs are routine. We calculate the required cable size during the site assessment and include it in the quote, so you know exactly what's going in before work starts.

The more common limiting factor on very long runs is the physical route rather than the electrical calculation. Underground conduit from the main house to a remote garage is standard practice. Where the route crosses concrete, passes through structures, or follows a complex path, we plan the conduit route in detail before installation begins so there are no surprises mid-job.

The first check is Australian regulatory approval. Look for the RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) on the unit. This confirms the charger has been assessed for the Australian market. Chargers purchased overseas or through grey-market channels may not carry RCM and cannot be legally installed under AS/NZS 3000 by a licensed Australian electrician.

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating tells you how well the enclosure is sealed against dust and moisture. IP44 is the minimum acceptable for an outdoor installation. IP55 or IP65 provides better protection for more exposed positions or direct weather contact. For garage installations out of direct weather, IP44 is adequate.

Output rating should match your vehicle's onboard AC charging capacity. For most EVs currently on the Australian market, a 7.2kW single-phase unit is the right specification. If your vehicle supports 11kW three-phase charging and your property has three-phase supply, a three-phase unit makes sense.

Smart features worth considering: Wi-Fi and app control for scheduling and energy monitoring, solar integration if you have panels, and per-user access management for shared setups. If two vehicles will share the charger on different schedules, a socketed unit where each driver uses their own cable is worth considering. We advise on specific brands and models suited to your property and usage during the site assessment.

Possible, but with specific requirements. EV chargers are sensitive to power quality and require a stable, clean sine wave at 230V and 50Hz. A generator producing a modified sine wave, the cheaper type used for power tools and basic appliances, will typically be rejected by an EV charger or trigger a fault error. Only a generator with a true pure sine wave output is suitable.

Capacity is the other constraint. A 7.2kW charger draws around 7.2kW continuously. Running that sustained load requires a generator rated for at least 9 to 10kVA, since generators should not be operated continuously above around 80% of their rated output. Most portable generators used for household backup are too small and produce the wrong waveform for this purpose. Inverter generators produce pure sine wave output and are better suited, but a suitably sized unit is expensive, and running one to charge an EV consumes significant fuel per charge.

The practical use case is a genuine grid outage or a remote property without a grid connection. For regular or daily charging, a generator is neither practical nor efficient. If backup charging capability during outages is the underlying goal, a home battery system that stores grid or solar energy during normal operation is a more practical long-term investment. A bidirectional charger can draw from that stored energy when the grid is unavailable, providing the same outcome without the noise, fuel cost, and maintenance of a running generator.