How to Select a Safe EV Charging Station

author: Mia Bevacqua   

Everyone knows not to pump gas with a vehicle running, or while talking on a cell phone. Safety at the pump is common knowledge. But what about saferty at the plug? Very few people know about EV charging safety. 

Choosing a safe charger

One of the first safety challenges EV owners face is choosing the right charger. A standard Level 1 charger relies on your home's 120-volt system, whereas a Level 2 Charger draws from the 240-volt system. Either must have integrated safety features to prevent electric shock and fire. 

A good charging station must be independently safety tested and certified. There are Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) that handle this. A couple examples that focus on EVs are Intertek (ETL mark) and Underwriter's Laboratory (UL mark). These facilities put products through extensive testing before certifying them for consumer use. NRTL Certification will appear on a products rating plate. 

National Electric Code

Buildings and equipment must adhere to the National Electric Code (NEC). And so do charging stations. The NEC requires all charging stations installed in the U.S. be NRTL certified. So, if you're using an uncertified, fly-by-night brand charger, you're going against code. 

Installing a charging station usually requires a building permit. If the inspector finds your charger is not NRTL certified, or that it's not properly installed, you'll be required to make changes. It may sound petty, but these practices are in place to promote safety.  

How to tell if your charging station is NRTL certified

If a station is properly certified, NTRL markings will appear on the product. They will be the laboratory abbreviations, ETL or UL. The markings must appear on the product itself, and not just on a website or manual. Typically, the marks can be found on the products name plate, otherwise known as the rating plate. Do not install a charging station that does not have these markings. A local building inspector will not approve a charging station without them.

Charging stations to avoid

Some charging stations have marks that are misleading. They may display a CE mark, which looks official, but it's not an NRTL identification. It is actually a self-certification mark. A CE logo is acceptable, if it's used in addition to an NRTL mark, but not if it's alone. 

Another important tip is to avoid charging stations without a grounded plug. It's imperative that the charging station have an earth ground connection, both for your safety and to meet local code. 

EV charging is a very safe – long as you've got the right charger and the proper knowledge. 

Source: Charged EVs

Mia Bevacqua

Mia is an ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician, L1, L2 and L3 Advanced Level Specialist. She has over 12 years of experience in the automotive industry and a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology. These skills have been applied toward content writing, technical writing, inspections, consulting, automotive software engineering.