Free EV charger panel check
Can your electrical panel handle an EV charger?
Answer a few quick questions about your home. We'll tell you if your panel can take a Level 2 charger as is, needs a load management module, or likely needs a service upgrade. No wiring knowledge needed.
Voted Best Electrician in the Hudson Valley
BBB Accredited BusinessStep 1
Your electrical service
Look for the number on your main breaker, usually at the top of the panel (100, 150 or 200).
Step 2
The charger you want
Step 3
Big electric loads already in your home
Tap everything you have that runs on electricity.
Step 4
Your panel
Open the panel door. Does the label or the breakers match any of these?
Any open spaces for new breakers?
Free estimate
Get your free in-home estimate
Send us your panel check. Our team reviews it and calls to set up a free visit to confirm it with a full load calculation.
How this check works
A quick version of the electrician's math
We use a simplified version of the National Electrical Code method for adding a load to an existing home (NEC 220.83). It adds up your home's lighting, outlets and big appliances, allows for the fact that they don't all run at once, then adds the EV charger at full power.
It's an estimate
Your real numbers depend on the exact appliances in your home. We confirm everything with a full load calculation before any work starts.
Load management saves upgrades
An EV load management module watches how much power your house is using and turns the charger down or pauses it when the house is busy. That often lets you skip a service upgrade.
Pair it with your generator
Have a Generac or planning one? We can set up your EV charger on a whole-home generator with load management, so the charger only runs when the generator has power to spare.
Size a generator for your homeEV charger installs
See our EV charger installation and panel upgrade pages.
Common questions
What's the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 charging?
Level 1 uses a regular 120-volt outlet and adds only about 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. Level 2 uses a 240-volt circuit, like a dryer, and adds about 25 to 30 miles per hour with a 40 amp charger. Most EV owners install Level 2 at home so the car is full every morning.
What is an EV load management module?
It's a device that measures how much power your home is using and turns the EV charger down or pauses it when the house is busy, like when the dryer, range and AC are all running. When the load drops, charging picks back up. It lets many homes add a charger without a service upgrade.
Do I need a service upgrade for an EV charger?
Not always. Many 200 amp homes can add a charger as is, and many 100 or 150 amp homes can add one with a load management module. If your home already uses most of its capacity, a service upgrade, for example from 100 amp to 200 amp, may be needed. TZ does service upgrades and confirms with a full load calculation.
Can my generator run my EV charger?
Yes, with a whole-home generator setup and load management. The EV charger is too large for an essential-circuit transfer switch, so it goes on whole-home systems only. Load management lets the charger run only when the generator has power to spare.
How long does an EV charger install take, and do I need a permit?
Most installs are done in one day when the panel has room. Jobs that need a load management module, a sub-panel or a service upgrade take longer and may need utility coordination. An electrical permit and inspection are typically required, and we handle the paperwork.