Why a wall socket needs extra care
A kettle draws a lot of current for a few minutes; your car does so for hours. At the weakest point, the contact between plug and socket, heat builds up if the contacts in the socket are worn. That is the main cause of a hot or burnt plug. If more is running on the same circuit, the fuse can also trip.
Always charge with a portable charger
A regular charging cable doesn't fit a wall socket; for that you need a portable charger. The box in the cable communicates with your car, starts and stops charging and protects against leakage current, among other things. Exactly which protections a charger has is listed for each charger.
On most portable chargers you set the current yourself, for example from 6 or 8A up to 16A. That way you match the charging to your socket and your wiring.
How to charge safely from a wall socket
- Use a socket in good condition, ideally on a dedicated circuit. If you're unsure about your wiring, have an electrician check it.
- No extension lead, cable reel or power strip between the socket and the charger. If you really must, only if your charger's manual allows it, with a single extension cable of 3×2.5 mm² that is fully unwound.
- Start on a lower setting, for example 10A, and feel the plug after half an hour. Lukewarm is normal; hot is not.
- If the plug gets hot, stop charging and have the socket replaced. Read what to do with an overheated or burnt plug.
- If you charge outdoors, use a splash-proof socket and don't leave the charger in a puddle.
How fast do you charge from a wall socket?
From a regular socket you charge at about 1.4 to 2.3 kW (6 to 10A). On a dedicated circuit with a good socket, up to 3.7 kW (16A) is possible. In a 10-hour night that adds about 14 to 37 kWh. A plug-in hybrid will then be full; a fully electric car gets a good top-up, but not always a full charge.
When is a charging station better?
- You drive a lot and want a full charge every night.
- Your car charges on three phases at 11 kW or more, and you want to use that.
- You charge every day: a charging station is built for hours of high current on a dedicated circuit.
- You want load balancing or to charge via an app.
Do you have a three-phase outlet (CEE), for example in your garage? Then a three-phase portable charger charges at up to 11 or 22 kW, as fast as a charging station. Not sure what suits you? Read Portable charger or charging station: which suits you?