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EV Charger Tripping The Electrics
Your EV charger keeps tripping the RCD, MCB, or RCBO every time it tries to charge.
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What's happening?
EV chargers draw significant current (typically 7.2kW, or 32A on a single phase) and have built-in earth leakage protection. When an EV charger trips the electrics, it could be the charger's internal protection, the consumer unit's RCD or RCBO, or both. This is a relatively common issue and needs professional diagnosis.
What usually causes it?
- Earth leakage from the charger exceeding the RCD threshold
- DC fault current — some EV chargers produce small DC leakage that trips Type A RCDs
- Faulty charging cable or connector
- Moisture ingress into the charger or its connections
- Vehicle-side charging fault causing earth leakage
- Incorrect consumer unit protection — wrong RCD type for EV charging
Is it dangerous?
The tripping is a safety mechanism working correctly. Do not bypass or uprate the protection. If the charger trips every time, there is a genuine fault that needs finding. Repeatedly resetting and attempting to charge without investigation could mask a serious issue.
Can I fix it myself?
Check if the charger trips immediately when plugged into the car or only during charging (which can take a few seconds to start). This helps the electrician diagnose the fault. Check the charging cable and connector for damage, dirt, or moisture. Make sure the charger connector is fully seated in the car. If it only trips in wet weather, moisture ingress is likely.
When should you call an electrician?
Call an electrician if the charger trips every time or intermittently, if the trip affects other circuits in your home via the main RCD, if the charger was recently installed, or if the problem started after any changes to your consumer unit.
What will the electrician actually do?
- Test the EV charger circuit and its protective devices
- Measure earth leakage current during a charging session
- Check the type of RCD protection — upgrade to Type A or Type B if needed
- Inspect the charger for moisture ingress or connection faults
- Test with a different vehicle if possible to isolate charger vs vehicle faults
- Replace the RCD/RCBO with the correct type if the original is incompatible
What will it cost to fix?
£100–£350
RCD or RCBO upgrades are common and cost around £100-£200. If the charger itself is faulty, warranty replacement may apply. Investigation of intermittent faults may take longer.
Find an electricianFrequently asked questions
We’re happy to answer all your questions.
Why does my EV charger keep tripping the electrics?
The most common cause is an incompatible RCD type. EV chargers can produce small DC leakage currents that trip standard Type AC RCDs. A Type A or Type B RCD (or a charger with built-in DC protection) is required.
What type of RCD do I need for an EV charger?
BS 7671 requires at least Type A RCD protection for EV charging, with additional DC fault protection. Many chargers have built-in Type A protection and a DC detection module. If your charger does not, a Type B RCD or RCBO may be needed at the consumer unit.
Could the problem be my car rather than the charger?
Yes. A fault in the vehicle's onboard charger can cause earth leakage that trips the home charger circuit. If the issue only occurs with one vehicle, the car should be checked by the dealer.
Can I still charge from a 3-pin socket if my wallbox is tripping?
Proceed with caution. If the tripping is caused by the vehicle, the same fault may trip your socket circuit. If the tripping is definitely a wallbox issue, the granny cable should work as a temporary solution.
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