Voltage Fluctuations And The Impact On Ev Chargers

The growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has highlighted the importance of reliable EV infrastructure. This increased demand for electric vehicles has revealed alarming issues around charging, specifically their capability to manage the high voltage levels frequently experienced in the UK.

While the majority of charging takes place at home, typically overnight when demand is lower and considered most convenient, overvoltage incidents on the grid can disrupt the EV charging process. EV chargers are sensitive electrical equipment that sometimes encounter difficulties due to high voltage levels, which can impact their ability to charge vehicles. EV chargers frequently cut out due to overvoltage, thereby increasing the risk of the battery not charging as expected.

In the UK, the optimal voltage for single-phase electricity supply is 230V and 400V for 3 phase supplies with a tolerance of -6% to +10%. Although this is deemed the optimal voltage, the average voltage across the UK is 242V with levels fluctuating significantly throughout the day. As a result, electrical equipment can often receive more voltage than is required, leading to wasted energy, potentially damaging equipment and causing EV chargers to stop functioning for unexpected periods of time.