Ohme Home Pro EV Charger Installation in Lyme Regis

We recently completed an Ohme Home Pro EV charger installation at one of the more modern properties on the historic Rousdon Estate, between Lyme Regis and Seaton. The customer, an existing client, was in the process of purchasing an electric vehicle and wanted a reliable home charging solution that would make the most of their electricity tariff.

After discussing the available options, we recommended the Ohme Home Pro. Its tethered design makes everyday charging straightforward, while its smart charging features are compatible with Octopus Energy tariffs, allowing the vehicle to charge when electricity prices are at their lowest.

Planning the installation

Every EV charger installation starts long before the first hole is drilled. We always take time to assess the property, discuss how the customer will use the charger and plan the most practical cable route.

On this property, the consumer unit was located on the opposite side of the house from the existing carport. Rather than taking a disruptive route through the property, we designed an external cable route that avoided lifting carpets and floorboards while still achieving a neat finish.

The charger was installed beneath the existing carport, protecting both the homeowner while connecting the charging cable and the charger itself from the worst of the weather. The Rousdon Estate often experiences sea mist rolling in from Lyme Bay, making the sheltered location a sensible choice for long-term reliability as well as everyday convenience.

Consumer unit alterations

Every property is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to supplying an EV charger. If the existing consumer unit doesn’t have spare capacity, can’t be upgraded to meet the requirements of the new circuit or replacement protective devices are no longer available, we would either install a separate consumer unit dedicated to the EV charger or recommend replacing the existing consumer unit where appropriate.

In this case, the existing consumer unit already had spare ways available and remained suitable for continued use. Replacement protective devices are still readily available for this range of consumer unit, so replacing the entire board would have provided no real benefit.

Instead, we upgraded the existing consumer unit by installing a dedicated RCBO for the new EV charging circuit together with a Type 2 Surge Protection Device (SPD). This brought the new circuit in line with current requirements while making use of the existing installation.

By upgrading only what was necessary, we were able to provide the customer with a safe, compliant and cost-effective solution.

Load management

Load management is something we install as standard with our EV charger installations.

Before any installation is carried out, we complete maximum demand calculations to assess the available capacity of the property’s electrical supply. We also submit an application to the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before work begins to obtain the necessary approval.

A current transformer (CT) is then installed to monitor the electrical demand of the property. If the electrical load approaches the available supply capacity, the charger automatically reduces its charging current, helping prevent the incoming supply from becoming overloaded while still allowing the vehicle to continue charging.

Most homeowners will never notice the system operating, but it provides an additional level of protection and helps ensure the charger works safely alongside the rest of the electrical installation.

Testing and commissioning

Once the installation was complete, we carried out the required electrical testing before issuing the Electrical Installation Certificate.

We then demonstrated the operation of the Ohme Home Pro, helped the customer connect the charger to the Ohme app and explained how smart charging works alongside their Octopus tariff to take advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity whenever possible.

The completed installation

The finished installation provides the customer with a practical and reliable charging solution that’s ready for everyday use.

By carefully planning the cable route, upgrading the existing consumer unit where necessary and incorporating load management as standard, we were able to deliver an installation that integrates neatly with the property while meeting the current requirements for EV charging equipment.

Every installation is different, and our approach is always to recommend the most appropriate solution for the individual property.

Thinking about installing an EV charger?

Whether you’re buying your first electric vehicle or replacing an existing charger, we’ll assess your existing electrical installation, calculate the available capacity of your electrical supply, discuss how and where you’ll charge your vehicle and recommend the most suitable charger for your property.

If you’re looking for EV charger installation in Lyme Regis, Seaton, Axminster, Bridport, Honiton or anywhere across East Devon and West Dorset, we’d be happy to provide straightforward advice and a no-obligation quotation. Get in touch today!