How does load balancing work?
Your home supply has a maximum. An energy meter in your fuse box keeps measuring how much power your home is using and passes that on to the charging station. The charging station uses whatever is left: when the hob goes on, it charges more slowly; when it goes off, it charges faster again. So your main fuse doesn't trip.
There are two forms. With static load balancing, your electrician sets a fixed maximum charging current. With dynamic load balancing, the charging station measures continuously and keeps adjusting its power. Dynamic charges faster as soon as there's room.
When do you need it?
- You have a small supply and want to charge at 11 kW or more.
- You use a lot at the same time: a heat pump, induction hob, air conditioning or electric boiler.
- You often charge when a lot else is running, such as late in the afternoon.
If your car charges at 3.7 kW and you mostly charge at night, you often don't need it. Your electrician can assess what your supply can handle.
What do you need?
- A charging station that supports load balancing. See the charging stations with load balancing.
- An energy meter in your fuse box that works with that charging station, usually from the same brand. The meter that goes with your charging station is listed on its page. With the Besen charging station with load balancing, the module that communicates with the meter is included; separate meters are under kWh meters.
- An electrician who installs the meter and sets the charging station to your supply.
Not sure which combination suits your home? Ask us on WhatsApp.
Load balancing and solar panels
Load balancing protects your supply. Charging on your solar surplus is a different function that not every charging station has. Whether yours can do it is listed on its page. Read more in Charging your car with solar panels and a home battery.