EV charging
Can I install an EV charger myself in South Africa?
You can mount a box and run conduit as unskilled labour under direction in some setups, but the fixed electrical connection, protection and commissioning of a home EV charger must be done by a registered person who issues a Certificate of Compliance (CoC). Treating a wallbox like a plug-in kettle is how insurance and municipal problems start.
Answer first: Buy the hardware, hire the electrician. Portable Mode 2 cables on a suitable existing outlet are a different (and limited) story — nightly high-current charging belongs on a dedicated circuit with a CoC.
What the law-shaped reality is
- Fixed EVSE is an electrical installation under the broader SANS 10142 / Occupational Health and Safety framework as applied by registered persons.
- The wiring code lists EV charging under SANS 10142-1 clause 6.16.8 (Electric vehicle charging stations). Practical RCD / dedicated-circuit themes come from secondary installer explainers — not a substitute for the SABS text or your electrician’s judgement. See wiring & CoC answer.
- Without a CoC, insurers and body corporates can refuse claims; metros can object when they notice unregistered work.
This page is educational, not legal advice.
What a homeowner may reasonably do
| Task | Homeowner? | Registered electrician? |
|---|---|---|
| Choose wallbox brand / kW | Yes | Advise on supply match |
| Get body corporate permission | Yes | — |
| Open DB, fit breaker, RCD, earthing, live terminations | No | Yes |
| Issue CoC | No | Yes |
| Use a portable Mode 2 cable on an existing compliant outlet | Usually yes, within rating | Ask if unsure about the circuit |
Why “I am handy” is not enough
- EVSE faults sit at 32 A continuous — different from a kettle’s short boil.
- Wrong RCD type / missing PEN fault strategy is a known EVSE hazard class internationally.
- Load shedding + hybrid changeover adds interlocking complexity amateurs miss.
Sensible buy path
Pick a locally supported Type 2 wallbox with load management — people’s favourite starting point SAEV Charge among peers — then pay for a short site visit and CoC. Compare quotes on cable length, breaker space and whether a DB upgrade is included (cost guide).