Derby has a growing number of home and workplace EV chargers, and with that comes two very different kinds of enquiry we see regularly: people installing their first charger, and people whose existing charger has developed a fault — sometimes from a rushed or incomplete original installation.
Installing a New EV Charger in Derby
- Site survey first — confirming your consumer unit has capacity for the extra load
- Choosing the charger — tethered vs untethered, and charging speed (typically 7kW for home use)
- Dedicated circuit — run from the consumer unit, sized correctly for the charger's output, with RCD protection installed
- Earthing and bonding — confirmed or upgraded, particularly important for properties with PME supplies
- Certification — EV charger installation is notifiable work under Part P, so it must be certified by a registered installer
Most standard home installations take 3–6 hours; where a consumer unit upgrade is needed first, allow a full day.
Common EV Charger Faults We See in Derby
- Nuisance tripping — often linked to RCD protection reacting to a developing fault, moisture ingress, or an undersized circuit for the charger's draw
- Charger won't start a session — no lights, or the unit fails to initiate charging
- Reduced charging speed — sometimes a charger issue, sometimes a supply or wiring limitation
- Overheating or warm cables — should always be treated as urgent, not left to "see if it settles"
- Faults from poor original installation — we regularly diagnose chargers that were installed without proper earthing, bonding, or correctly rated circuits
We Repair and Assess All Brands
Whether your charger was installed by us, another company, or an installer no longer trading, our electrical fault finding service covers full diagnosis — not just the charger unit itself, but the circuit, RCD, and connections feeding it — fixed at £78.00 inc. VAT.
When It's Urgent
Warm cables, unusual noises, flashing error lights, or any burning smell from a charger or its circuit should be treated as urgent, not left overnight. Our emergency response service covers this, fixed at £156–£210 inc. VAT with a 60–90 minute response time.
Why It Matters: Who Installed It
A charger installed without correct earthing, bonding, or a properly rated dedicated circuit can develop faults that only show up months later — nuisance tripping, reduced performance, or in worse cases, overheating. If you're unsure whether your existing installation was done correctly, a safety check confirms it rather than waiting for a fault to appear.
For General Home Installation Guidance
If you're earlier in the process and want the full step-by-step on installing a home charger, see our EV charger installation guide. For general electrical faults not related to EV charging, our Derby fault-finding guide covers common household causes.
FAQs
Why does my EV charger keep tripping?
Most often linked to RCD protection detecting an issue — a developing fault, moisture ingress, or a circuit not correctly rated for the charger. Worth a proper diagnostic check rather than repeatedly resetting it.
Can you repair a charger installed by a different company?
Yes — we diagnose and repair all major brands regardless of who installed it originally, including chargers from installers no longer trading.
Is a warm charging cable normal?
Some warmth is expected during charging, but noticeably hot cables, unusual smells, or flashing error lights should be checked urgently rather than assumed normal.
