QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ON INSTALLING ELECTRIC
VEHICLE SUPPLY
EQUIPMENT
FORFOR
OVER
100
YEARS…LIFE.
POWERED
EDISON.
OVER
100
YEARS. LIFE. POWERED
BYBY
EDISON.
Table of Contents:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Installing Charging Stations
Load Calculations and Analysis
Permitting
Safety
Electric Rules and Service Requirements
Second Meter Installations
Miscellaneous
Intro
Helping Customers Navigate the Ins and Outs of Fueling Electric Vehicles
Plug-in Electric Vehicles are here, and more
they bring them home. SCE is working with
Typically, installing an electric vehicle supply
are on the way. SCE wants to help make
automakers, car dealers, electric vehicle
equipment (EVSE), commonly referred to
charging them simple, safe and economical
service providers and local cities to help
as EV charging stations, is a straightforward
for customers.
educate customers.
process; however, unique challenges may
pop up. Following are answers to some
EVs offer the convenience and ease of
SCE has a comprehensive website to help
of the questions you may have about the
charging from home. But, there are several
customers and cities understand the home
process.
decisions customers will need to make about
charging station installation process. Visit
their home charging infrastructure before
www.sce.com/ev.
Contact Information: We know you may have
some additional questions about EVSEs and
2
we’re here to help. Please contact us
at PEVReadiness@sce.com
or call 1800-4EV-INFO.
I. Installing Charging Stations
Many municipalities, businesses, multi-family housing units and individual homeowners are expressing interest in installing charging
stations for electric vehicles.
Does SCE provide charging
Yes, we have a number of publications and information on SCE.com/EV to help you. You can find a
station installation information?
list of companies manufacturing and/or installing EVSE at www.pluginamerica.org/accessories.
Can Electric Vehicle Supply
Yes, the EVSE can be moved, but first check with your local city or county to see if there are any specific
Equipment (EVSE) be moved?
rules and regulations. In general, it’s easier to move a hard-connected EVSE than a hard-wired EVSE.
For example, when someone
Additionally, carefully consider moving equipment from one location to another since the customer’s
sells their house, or visits
and/or SCE’s electrical equipment may not be sized for the alternate location.
their vacation home?
If customers do decide to move their EVSEs, they’ll need to inform SCE. Tariff Rule 3C states:
“Change in Customer’s Equipment or Operations. The customer shall give SCE written notice of the
extent and nature of any material change in the size, character, or extent of the utilizing equipment or
operations for which SCE is supplying electric service before making any such change.”
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!. Installing Charging Stations
Is it possible to have a switch
Because each property is different, please ask a qualified electrician whether the property can
to alternate between the charging
accommodate an A/B switch, as well as your local city or county to see if they allow it. If customers
of two PEVs (an A/B switch so
do decide to install an A/B switch, they’ll need to inform SCE. Tariff Rule 3C states: “Change in
the PEVs can be charged one
Customer’s Equipment or Operations. The customer shall give SCE written notice of the extent
after another)?
and nature of any material change in the size, character, or extent of the utilizing equipment or
operations for which SCE is supplying electric service before making any such change.”
If the installation is permitted and inspected, then the residential customer has two rate options:
the residential rate (D) or the TOU-D-TEV rate. We encourage our customers to call SCE to learn more
about their rate options.
An A/B switch could be used with a traditional residential rate (D) or one of SCE’s electric car
rates—TOU-D-TEV—but is not allowed with the other electric car rate—TOU-EV-1—which is
separately metered and not allowed for other appliances.
If the panel is not compliant
Yes, we can if the panel is not compliant with SCE’s ESR. However, we try to work closely with
with SCE’s Electrical Service
electricians to make sure this doesn’t happen. You can read the ESR here. As an electrician or
Requirements (ESR), can
do-it-yourself homeowner, you also need to make sure your customer is compliant with SCE’s ESR.
SCE require the customer
to move the panel?
EVSE has the potential to
While we don’t handle those issues, we recommend that you ask your local city or county whether
be connected by a 12” line to
they allow hard-connected instead of hard-wired EVSE in residential applications under NEC article 625.
an outlet; does NEC article 625
It’s important to note that cities and counties require the EVSE, plus the installation instructions, to be
allow “hard connected” instead
approved by Underwriters Lab (UL) or another nationally recognized testing lab. UL approval for a
of “hard wired” EVSE in
hard-connected EVSE that meets NEC article 625 requirements is still unclear.
residential applications?
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!. Installing Charging Stations
II. Load Calculations and Analysis
SCE requires that load calculations and analysis must be performed prior to installing EVSE to determine whether the customer’s existing electric
service panel has sufficient capacity to add EV charging or if it will need to be upgraded.
Do cities have plan checks that
Depending on the city, most permit applications usually require an electrician to perform a load analysis.
require load analysis?
To not delay the permitting process, electrical contractors should check with the city or county’s permit
department.
How does the local permitting
The installing electrician should provide the local authority with detailed information such as the existing
department know how much
load, the additional charging load, wire and circuit breaker size. There are checklists similar to ones used
PEV charging will overload a
already in some cities for hot tubs that help the local authority to determine if the load is adequate. You
dedicated or non-dedicated
can find check list examples in the California Electric Code’s appendix, from the International Code
circuit?
Council (ICC) or specific cities.
Does SCE do load calculations
Yes, if customers let SCE know about their PEV purchase, we will visit the PEV customer site to evaluate
and visit every charging site?
whether SCE’s electrical equipment loads are sized to meet the EV demand. We can also provide (kW)
Can SCE provide load (kW)
information, upon customer request. However, SCE’s experience is that the type of load calculation that
information from the current or
SCE planners perform does not satisfy the requirements of permit and inspection desk staff at cities or
new smart meters in residences
counties.
to help the permit and inspection
staff at the city or county with
their load calculation?
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II. Load Calculations and Analysis
Sometimes the existing SCE service
We’ve designed our electric distribution system according to the SCE Distribution Design Standards,
can’t support a load that can be
and base design on current expected loads as well as potential growth in an area. Because needs
served by a panel. How does SCE
change, these standards are dynamic and are being updated as we build the Smart electrical system.
design its distribution system
If you’re interested in regulations, Rules 15.A.1.a and 16.A.1 state that SCE will be responsible for
capacity?
planning, designing, and engineering Distribution Line and Service Extensions using SCE’s standards
for design. Additionally, Section DDS-8 2.0 of SCE’s Design Standards notes that service cables shall
be selected to meet the expected demand without exceeding the voltage drop and flicker criteria, as
described in the same section.
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II. Load Calculations and Analysis
III. Permitting
Depending on the city or county, the EVSE installation permitting process can vary from being straightforward to slightly more complex. The key
is to check with each permitting department to find out its requirements.
Are drawings available to help
We do not provide guidelines or drawings regarding EVSE installation. Our information pertains to
the inspectors, electricians and
SCE’s side of the meter and includes requirements for electric panel locations and acceptable panel
customers understand the most
connections to Edison’s service.
common single family or multifamily EVSE installations?
Can you install a
Yes, it is possible for a customer to charge their PEV at Level 1 without a permit because EVs come with
level 1 (120 volts)
an electric cord that the customer may plug into an existing 120v socket. It’s important that an electrician
or 2 (240 volts) EVSE
evaluates the circuit to determine if it can safely charge the EV, and upgrade the circuit, as needed. Level
installation without permits?
2 charging involves additional wiring and equipment that usually requires a permit so check with your
local city or county about permit requirements.
In addition to a permit, is a plan
The customer or electrician should check with the city or county, as a plan check and/or a work analysis
check and work analysis required
may be required if the residential electrical panel is very large (e.g. 400 amps).
if the residential electrical panel
is very large (e.g. 400 amps)?
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III. Permitting
Do electricians need to submit
Each local city or county has different requirements so we suggest you contact the appropriate
single line drawings?
permitting authority.
How should customers and
If you have an older home, first consult with a qualified electrician and, if needed, with the local city or
electricians handle older homes
county. The small size of the panels in smaller, older homes may mean an electrical panel upgrade is
with glass fuses instead of
needed.
breakers?
Would notifying SCE about
Yes, SCE would use the permit information to cross check SCE’s database to identify SCE customers
all customers’ requests for
who have not notified the utility regarding their PEV purchase. SCE will then review the customer’s
a permit for EVSE-related
historical kilowatt hour usage/load/demand and the additional PEV charging load to ensure that SCE’s
installations help SCE’s
electrical equipment is capable of handling the demand. As a result, an upgrade to the customer’s
distribution planning process?
electrical equipment may be needed.
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III. Permitting
IV. Safety
Keeping our customers and employees safe is the most important thing we do at SCE.
What actions are required if
Please consult with your local authority, as well as SCE, about fire code requirements since city or
two panels at a residence or
local requirements may include the need to clearly label the panels to alert emergency personnel
business are not in the same
of the existence of two panels. Since SCE’s tariffs do not allow for a separate service installation to
location? This may cause
new dedicated EV panel, both panels should be in proximity to each other. A homeowner installing
safety problems for the fire
EV panels without consulting SCE and or the city/local authority may be required to relocate the panels.
department in an emergency.
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IV. Safety
V. Electric Rules and Service Requirements
Like other utilities throughout the nation, SCE has a number of electrical service requirements. If you’d like to review them,
you can find them here. Following are some additional questions relating to SCE’s electrical rules and requirements.
When does SCE require that
The requirements vary based on location and situation. If you have a question,
residential PEVs underground
please contact SCE at 1-800-4EV-INFO.
the overhead electrical service?
Does SCE offer qualified
We encourage all our customers to hire qualified, licensed electricians and to verify their credentials.
electricians specific EVSE
We also require all electrical work to comply with the SCE Electrical Service Requirements and
station installation requirements?
other technical specifications. You can review SCE’s electrical service requirements here.
Is there a way to improve
We always believe there’s a way to improve a process. Ideally, the customer contacts us to let us know
communications between
he or she wants to buy an EV and provides the name of the selected electrician. This information goes
SCE Planners and electricians?
to the SCE planner who will visit the customer site to evaluate SCE’s infrastructure. The SCE planner
will identify possible locations for a second panel, which is needed if the EV-TOU-1 rate is selected,
as well as contact the electrician to discuss the situation, as needed.
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V. Electric Rules and Service Requirements
When commercial and
For commercial charging station installations, customers should contact SCE planners as early as
governmental SCE customers
possible. Electric vehicle rates contain provisions on the ownership of vehicles to be charged.
contract with charging station
So commercial (non-residential) charging would be allowed on an existing residential rate.
companies, will the customer
have to “piggyback” onto
We also encourage customers to read tariffs carefully for any restrictions or special conditions when
existing SCE rates, such
deciding to add load to existing accounts/rates. Street lighting and traffic control rates are for these
as irrigation, traffic light
applications only, and agricultural and pumping rates contain provisions regarding appropriate use.
or street lamp rates?
A customer with an existing commercial service account may allow charging on that account.
However, no commercial (non-residential) charging would be allowed on an existing residential rate.
Can hobbyists or small
Possibly, but the customer must consult with an electrical contractor, SCE and the city or local
start-ups do high level
authority to see if it is allowed. High-level charging (30-50 kW) is a significant electrical load.
DC charging (between
Additionally, a customer must notify SCE under Rule 3C which states: “Change in Customer’s
30-50 kW) in their home?
Equipment or Operations. The customer shall give SCE written notice of the extent and nature
of any material change in the size, character, or extent of the utilizing equipment or operations
for which SCE is supplying electric service before making any such change.”
Concern has been expressed
Under CPUC approved rules, SCE does not pay for electrical equipment on the customer side
about cost to upgrade the
of the meter. Rule 16 addresses customer requirements for work on the customer side of the
customer’s panel if service is
meter whether overhead or underground.
underground. Will SCE pay for
this upgrade? If so how much?
Does SCE require a city or
In general, SCE does not require this, but please check with your local city or county. However,
county to go from overhead
If we cannot serve the requested upgrade with overhead facilities due to the size of the required
to underground service for
transformation, we will require the upgraded service to go underground.
large residential remodels?
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V. Electric Rules and Service Requirements
VI. Second Meter Installations
Does the National electric code
No, however, SCE’s Tariff Rule 16.B.2. states: Number of Meters. Normally only one meter will be
prohibit a second meter?
installed for a single-family residence or a single non-residential enterprise on single premises, except:
• When otherwise required or allowed under SCE’s tariff schedules;
• At the option of and as determined by SCE, for its operating convenience, consistent with its engineering design; or
• When required by law or local ordinance.
• When additional services are granted by SCE.
Is more than one service drop
Ordinarily SCE will not provide more than one service except as provided by tariffs, for SCE operating
allowed per address?
convenience, per ordinances or other reasons. SCE’s TOU-EV-1 rate for a dedicated EV meter requires
that the second meter is connected to the residence’s existing single drop. For more information,
please see SCE Rule 16.C.2.
Will SCE ask the city to issue
No.
a second address for SCE’s
TOU-EV-1 rate that requires
a second meter?
How does the SCE service
We’ve streamlined and sped up our processes to make them a bit easier. First, the planner will evaluate
planner handle the end-to-end
SCE’s electrical service equipment to ensure it will meet the EV’s increased electrical load requirements.
process including installing
Then, the planner will advise the electrician/customer where the new meter panel and meter should
a second meter for the
be placed based upon SCE’s Electrical Service Requirements, and will also advise the requestor he
PEV TOU-EV-1 rate?
or she will need an inspection. Once the inspection approval notification is received, our SCE planner
will schedule the required upgrades and the TOU-EV-1 meter installation.
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VI. Second Meter Installations
Can a dual meter adapter be
No. SCE is not currently using a dual meter adapter.
used instead of a second panel
in order to get the second
meter EV rate?
Is there progress in getting
No. SCE does not currently plan to use a dual adapter for PEV installations.
new dual meter adapter—rated
at 100 amps—listed with
Underwriters Lab or another
recognized testing lab?
What can a city do to minimize
SCE has policies in place to address use of the second meter EV rate (EV-1 account) for general EV owners moving and leaving
domestic purposes. For example, Rule 11 G addresses tariff non-compliance: “Non-compliance.
behind second meters that
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Rule 11, where SCE determines that a customer is
could eventually be used
in non-compliance with any tariff schedule, SCE at its option may, after at least five days written notice
to make an illegal residence
and until the customer complies with such notice:
or “granny flat”? If SCE learns
•Transfer the customer to another tariff schedule for which the customer can qualify; or
that non-EV usage is on an
•Withhold payment of any credits or discounts applicable to the customer’s existing tariff schedule; or
EV account, what happens?
•Discontinue service to the customer.
Does SCE require proof of the
No. However, when a customer calls SCE requesting a PEV rate, SCE asks the customer a series of
customer having a PEV before
questions including the make/model of the PEV and expected delivery date.
they get the 2nd meter rate?
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VI. Second Meter Installations
Does SCE or the city or county
No. SCE does not specify or advise customers or electricians about the specific type or brand of
require a listed (e.g. UL, ETL,
equipment to use. We recommend that if there are any questions, the customer or electrician should
et.al) meter socket for the
consult with the local authority. SCE does have specific service requirements for meter panels as
electrician to use for the
referenced in SCE’s Electrical Service Requirements, which you can read here. Additionally, please check
second meter?
with your city or county as they may require the meter socket to be listed with a testing lab such as
Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
How will a second meter be
You can find the various configurations in SCE’s Electrical Service Requirements (ESR).
configured with the panel,
weather head and service drop?
Does SCE require a certain
This would be the customer’s choice, but the customer should consult with the local authority regarding
size for the second panel or
requirements. SCE has established maximum panel sizes for residential customers and minimum load
meter socket box serving
requirements for available voltages specified in our tariff Rule 2. SCE is aware that some customers may
the second meter?
want or have more than one EV or PHEV on the SCE - TOU-EV-1 rate.
Does the installation of the new
No, the current generation of SmartConnect meters is not capable of replacing the second panel and
SCE SmartConnect™ meter mean
meter requirement. SCE and other utilities are researching this, as well as working with the Society of
that the customer doesn’t need a
Automotive Engineers, the National Institute of Standards & Technology and others to develop this next-
second panel and meter required
generation technology. For example, one of our goals is to integrate the second meter into the home
for SCE’s TOU-EV-1 rate?
charging station and eliminate the need for a second panel and meter configuration.
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VI. Second Meter Installations
What are we doing to inform our
It’s each customer’s responsibility to research the pros and cons of acting now or waiting for a future
customers about the possibility
technology. Today, a separate meter is needed for the residential TOU-EV-1 rate and the commercial
of charging stations including
TOU-EV-3 and TOU-EV-4 rates. However, we’re working with manufacturers on a sub meter solution and
a submeter?
associated protocols as part of a future EVSE. An existing home charging station and second meter will
still function in the future once next generation charging stations with submeters are on the market.
My residential charging
There’s no way for SCE to bill from a non-SCE meter except for Direct Access.
station already has a
submeter. Will SCE
For the other situations, the California PUC is currently assessing proposals to establish submetering
let me hook it up?
standards including technology, compatibility, associated back-office billing costs and other related
issues.
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VI. Second Meter Installations
VII. Miscellaneous
The old 1990s charging
No. They are no longer owned by Edison International. Contact the owners regarding
stations have the Edison logo
any safety concerns.
on them. Will SCE be removing
them, as some are vandalized
or broken and need removal
and replacement?
It doesn’t appear the city is
That is correct. PEV is one of the alternatives to help reduce the State’s carbon footprint.
required by law to be PEV ready,
rather it appears that the State
is incentivizing cities to do so via
grants and loans. Correct?
The city is interested in
Infrastructure readiness is an important part of supporting the PEV deployment in California and there
constructing a PEV charging
is financial investment that goes along with it. Currently, a statewide effort is underway to determine
station; however, it is still in the
where, when and how much investment is reasonable during the early stages of the PEV market.
fact gathering stage and its PEV
Involvement with SCAG or other Clean Cities Coalition will help decide the best investment and
site is likely a number of years
business model to build the PEV infrastructure in the city. However, there are two critical components
away. Would it be prudent to
(that do not require a huge financial outlay) that the city can do to be “PEV Ready.” To ensure the
become “PEV Ready” even if the
successful transition to plug-in electric cars, cities are requested to: 1) review their permitting and
site won’t be built immediately?
inspection process to align with industry standard; and 2) help spread the knowledge to residents
to help them make a wise decision before and after purchasing the PEVs.
Contact Information: We know you may have
some additional questions about EVSEs and
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we’re here to help. Please contact us
at PEVReadiness@sce.com
or call 1800-4EV-INFO.
VII. Miscellaneous