When you buy an electric vehicle (EV), electricians install a charger in your house so that you can plug in your vehicle overnight and drive fully charged the next morning. Home chargers are an essential part of EV ownership; without one, you’ll have to rely on public charging stations. Reduce your downtime by seeking professional help when you notice any of these issues.

1. Slow Charging Times

Level 1 chargers take 40-50 hours to charge, while Level 2 chargers take 4-10 hours. The vehicle’s charge rate, the battery capacity and extreme temperatures can influence charging times, but you shouldn’t see massive fluctuations. If your vehicle starts taking longer to power, you may have a charger issue.

2. Visible Damage

Damaged EV chargers require immediate repairs or replacement. If you find loose, exposed wires on your charger or cable, avoid fueling your vehicle until help arrives. The loose wires could start a fire or give you an electrical shock, resulting in burns, dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat or even brain damage.

Also check your equipment for cracks, dents and discoloration. Burn marks on the outlet indicate that your system is about to overheat. If you notice flickering lights or a tripped circuit breaker whenever you plug in your vehicle, your system probably can’t handle the demand. Ask an electrician about upgrading your wiring.

3. Alerts

Some chargers send a notification when they detect an issue. This could range from an electrical problem to a major system error. Write down the error code, and then let an electrician know about it.

4. Inconsistent Charging

If your energy bills keep rising and you can’t figure out why, your charger might have broken equipment that compromises its efficiency. Your charger’s power levels may fluctuate, or the equipment may stop abruptly in the middle of the night. Electricians can locate the equipment or wiring issue and help your charger run consistently again.

5. Strange Noises or Odors

Some EV chargers give off faint buzzing noises. However, if you start hearing loud buzzing, humming or rattling noises, you might have broken equipment that’s placing a strain on the system. Malfunctioning equipment could overexert your charger until it abruptly shuts down, leaving you without a full tank.

Burning odors are particularly dangerous. If your EV charger gives off a burning odor, you might have faulty wires, loose connections, overheating equipment or another issue that’s about to start a fire. Stop using your EV charger, and contact a professional immediately. Fires could start in your walls, where you wouldn’t be able to detect them at first.

If you stay on top of regular maintenance, you could avoid these issues and keep your EV charger running throughout the year. Call our team at Wire Works for EV charger service in Lansing, MI.