Electric vehicles are quickly gaining popularity, with more and more people choosing to go electric to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. But if you’re new to EVs, you might be wondering how the charging process works. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into how electric car chargers work.
First, let’s start with the basics. An electric car charger is a device that is used to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. There are different types of chargers available, ranging from slow chargers that take several hours to fast chargers that can charge a vehicle in just a few minutes. Let’s explore the different types of electric car chargers.
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Types of Electric Car Chargers
- Level 1 Chargers: Level 1 chargers are the slowest type of charger and are usually included with electric vehicles. They use a standard 120-volt household outlet and can take up to 20 hours to fully charge an electric car.
- Level 2 Chargers: Level 2 chargers are much faster than Level 1 chargers and can charge an electric car in just a few hours. They use a 240-volt outlet, which is similar to what is used for a large appliance like a clothes dryer. Level 2 chargers are typically installed at home or at public charging stations.
- DC Fast Chargers: DC Fast Chargers are the fastest type of charger and can charge an electric car in just 20-30 minutes. They use direct current (DC) power and are typically found at public charging stations, rest areas, and other locations along highways.
Now that we’ve covered the different types of electric car chargers, let’s take a closer look at how they work.
How Level 1 and Level 2 Chargers Work
Level 1 and Level 2 chargers both use alternating current (AC) power to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. The AC power is converted into direct current (DC) power by the onboard charger in the vehicle. The DC power is then used to charge the battery.
When you plug your electric vehicle into a Level 1 or Level 2 charger, the charger communicates with the vehicle to ensure that it is safe to charge. Once the charger and vehicle are communicating, the charger sends power to the vehicle’s onboard charger. The onboard charger then converts the AC power into DC power and sends it to the battery for charging.
One important thing to note is that Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are limited by the maximum amperage of the circuit they are connected to. For example, if your Level 2 charger is connected to a 40-amp circuit, it will only be able to charge at a maximum rate of 9.6 kW (kilowatts). If you want to charge faster, you’ll need to upgrade the circuit to a higher amperage.
How DC Fast Chargers Work
DC Fast Chargers, as we mentioned earlier, use direct current (DC) power to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. The DC power bypasses the onboard charger in the vehicle and is sent directly to the battery for charging.
When you plug your electric vehicle into a DC Fast Charger, the charger communicates with the vehicle to ensure that it is safe to charge. Once the charger and vehicle are communicating, the charger sends DC power directly to the battery for charging.
DC Fast Chargers can charge an electric car much faster than Level 1 or Level 2 chargers because they don’t have to convert the power from AC to DC. However, it’s important to note that not all electric vehicles are compatible with DC Fast Chargers. Make sure to check with your vehicle manufacturer to see if your vehicle is compatible.
Conclusion
Electric car chargers work by converting AC power to DC power to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. There are different types of chargers available, ranging from slow Level 1 chargers that can take up to 20 hours to fast DC Fast Chargers that can charge an electric car in just 20-30 minutes.
When you plug your electric vehicle into a charger, the charger communicates with the vehicle to ensure that it is safe to charge. Once the charger and vehicle are communicating, the charger sends power to the vehicle’s onboard charger or directly to the battery, depending on the type of charger being used.
It’s important to note that electric car chargers are limited by the maximum amperage of the circuit they are connected to. If you want to charge faster, you’ll need to upgrade the circuit to a higher amperage.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that charging an electric vehicle can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the battery, the type of charger being used, and the weather conditions. Always refer to your vehicle’s manual for specific charging instructions and recommendations.