Electrical grid expansion – what to look out for when switching?
Did you know that most Hungarian households still rely on a 1×16 A or 1×32 A electrical service connection?This is more than enough for the fridge, washing machine, and vacuum cleaner, but not enough for a higher-capacity home car charger. This is exactly why electrical network expansion is becoming an increasingly common question as soon as someone wants to switch to an electric car.
On the Voltie blog, we help you navigate the world of e-mobility with educational content. In this article, we look into what electrical network expansion actually means, when it is needed, how you can arrange it, and how complex or costly the process is.
The starting point is always how many amps you currently have available. In Hungary, for most households, this is 1x16 or 1x32 Amps, which is sufficient for conventional household appliances, but a higher-power AC wall charger requires significantly more.
The expansion process is not rocket science at all. An application must be submitted to the local electricity provider, which they process with a technical assessment and a chosen construction depending on the options. The process usually also requires electrician work, and in some cases, the modernization of the metering location may also be needed.
If you want your car to comfortably reach a full charge in 6–8 hours at home, it is recommended to set up at least a 3x16 or 3x20 Amp connection. This is already suitable for using 11–22 kW AC chargers, which are precisely the solutions a modern electric car owner relies on day to day.
If you are just getting familiar with the topic of home charging, check out our detailed guide on setting up an electric car charger.
During grid expansion, it is always worth tailoring the system's capacity to future needs. Even if you only use one charging point now, but in a few years' time several electric cars might be parked in the driveway, it is advisable to oversize the system now, or at least prepare for the expansion.
This will save you significant time, money, and administration. The same applies to underground cable routing, fuses, and distribution cabinets – modifying these retrospectively is always cumbersome and more expensive than forward-looking planning.
● Assess current capacity: check the value of the main fuse and clarify whether the supply is 1-phase or 3-phase.
● Plan ahead: if you are perhaps thinking of a second car in the future, request a larger capacity right away.
● Coordinate with the service provider: submit a request, ask for a technical assessment and a calculation.
● Involve a professional: the final installation should always be carried out by a qualified electrician.
According to data from the European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO), the number of home charging points is growing rapidly across Europe, which is why more and more grid operators are also preparing for the increased residential demand.
The costs heavily depend on how much of an expansion you want and what technical background is currently available. The good news, however, is that service providers often offer amp expansion for free up to a certain limit – however, this may vary by county and provider, so it is always worth looking into the options available in your specific situation.
If you are also thinking about a solar panel system, the question of expanding the electrical grid will still arise. For some inverters or feed-in solutions, a specific power level is a prerequisite, so it is worth planning the two investments in a coordinated way. If electromobility is planned for the near future, it is worth starting discussions with the electricity grid operator in time – as the appropriate network background affects not only charging speed but also the stability of your entire system.
Are you looking for reliable information regarding charging, grid expansion, or home installation? Take a look around the Voltie website, or feel free to contact us!
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