Chances are that you have never really thought about your fuse box. In most Dutch homes, this is simply well arranged, which means that you do not have to worry about it. However, if you opt for solar panels, an electric car or another large-scale electrical consumer, you will soon be faced with pressing questions.
Do you need a 3-phase distribution box to charge an electric car or can you make do with a 1-phase distribution box? Can you connect a wallbox to an older distribution box or does it have to be replaced by definition? And can you actually do it yourself, replacing a distribution box?
Can I charge my electric car from an old fuse box?
Do you still have an older fuse box in your home with fuses that have to be turned in and out by hand? Then there is nothing wrong with it; the older fuse boxes offer the necessary protection and are still legally permitted. However, it is true that every electrician and professional will advise you to replace the fuse box with a modern group box with installation circuit breakers. These offer more safety and have more space for separate groups.
When charging the electric car, the last advantage is particularly important. In order to avoid overloading a group, the wallbox or charging point for the electric car is connected to a separate group (so without other connections).
Can I charge an EV with a single-phase distribution box?
Yes, it is possible in all cases to charge an electric car with a 1-phase distribution box, but the question is whether you can also charge optimally in this way. This depends on the maximum charging capacity of your electric car. If your electric car can only charge on 1 phase, then it is obvious that a 1-phase distribution box will suffice.
However, if your car charges optimally on 3 phases, then a distribution box with 1 phase is far from ideal. Charging the car then takes much longer. With EVs with a very extensive battery capacity, this can mean that the charging time shoots up to 22 hours, which is of course not the intention.
Please note: a distribution box with 1 phase on 1x25A can supply approximately 5500 Watts at once. Do you have multiple large consumers (such as a heat pump or electric hobs) and do you expect peak moments to be higher than approximately 6000 Watts when charging an electric car? Then you have two options. You can then choose a charging station with load balancing on 1 phase or choose to switch to a distribution box with 3 phases. If you have a newer home and have a 1x40A connection, the limit is 9000 Watts.
Can I charge any electric car with a 3-phase distribution box?
If you have a distribution box on 3 phases, you can optimally charge any electric car. It is still worth checking which connections are in the distribution box. With a 3x25A (25 amps on 3 phases) you can charge at 11 kW, while with a 3x35A you can charge at 22 kW. Here too, the maximum charging capacity of your electric car is the determining factor: this limit can never be exceeded while charging the car.
Can I have a 3-phase distribution box installed?
Do you want to replace the fuse or group box because your car charges optimally on 3 phases? Then you can opt for a group box with 3 phases, but first check with your grid operator whether you have a reinforced connection. If that is not the case, you can ask the grid operator to reinforce the connection to 3 phases.
Do you want to replace the distribution box but not yet have a reinforced connection? Then you choose a 1/3 distribution box. This is a 1-phase distribution box that is prepared for a 3-phase connection. There is already a 4-pole main switch in it, so that no adjustments need to be made after the reinforcement of the connection.
In which cases is the 3-phase distribution board the best option?
- You have a reinforced connection with a distribution box on 1 phase
- You drive electric and want to continue driving electric in the coming years
- The peak demand for electricity in your home is above 5000 Watts
- You want to have solar panels installed
- You want to replace an old fuse box
If any of the above points apply to your situation, a 3-phase distribution board is the best option.
How much does it actually cost to reinforce the connection?
The costs for increasing the power connection depend on the situation and the grid operator. You can usually expect a price between €300 and €1100. This is mainly due to the fact that the transport cable for the power must be replaced to enable the higher capacity.
Can I replace my fuse box myself?
We strongly advise against replacing the fuse box yourself or creating new groups for your new wallbox or charging station. Professional installers have all the knowledge and tools to do this properly. Not only does this mean that they know what to do, it also ensures that everything is connected properly and that you can charge your electric car immediately when the installer is finished.
Not only a choice for now, but also for the future
If you are considering a 3-phase distribution board, don't just think about the current situation. In the future, electric cars will only get heavier battery packs, which makes charging on 3 phases optimal to be able to leave in the morning with a full battery.
Do you currently need a charging station for a connection to 1 phase and do you want to switch to 3 phases in the future? Then choose a charging station that can be connected to 1 and 3 phase(s) . Then the charging station does not have to be replaced after replacing the fuse box.
