Shell Recharge home charge point_black car on driveway

Home installation survey checklist

What to prepare before completing the online installation home survey

HomeHome charge point installationOnline installation survey checklist

Just like us, every home setup is unique, often with individual quirks. The good news is, most homes qualify for standard installation. However, we will ask for some information about your home in order to prepare a tailor-made quote for you. This will ensure that the lead up to, and day of installation goes smoothly. It can feel a bit daunting initially, but we are here to help and make every step more manageable.

How can I prepare?

There are a couple of things you need to prepare before the online home installation survey can be completed. Here you'll find a checklist outlining all the important documentation that you will need. Don't worry, we give all the necessary details and requirements below. Expect to provide:

We like to give this information upfront and in advance, so you can know what to expect and start preparing. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to get an EV charge point set up at your home.

Please remember: safety first

  • When inspecting electrical equipment, please take care and do not remove any covers or touch live wires.

Photos & videos for the online home installation survey

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1. Driveway and charge point location

We will ask you to provide some photos, alternatively we will also accept video format. If it is easier to take your photos or video on the spot, you can complete the survey on your phone or tablet. The photos are required for our installers to visualise your space, to create the quote and ultimately prepare them well for the day of installation. The better the photos, the better our understanding of your property, which in turn, reduces the likelihood of problems further down the line. With more visual information upfront, we can answer a lot of questions ourselves, without having to request more input from you.

online home installation survey_drive distance_illustration v2

Driveway

We would like a photo of your driveway and its surroundings. Please take it from roughly 3-4 meters away.

online home installation survey_sketch_charge point location_illustration

Charge point location

If you are able to, please indicate the exact position where you would like the charge point to be installed. Our advice is to have the socket outlet on the charge point sitting between 0.75m and 1.2m from the Finished Floor Level

2. Primary fuse box and main service fuse

The next photos we require are of your electrical set-up. This gives us a real indication of what we are working with and helps us determine what will be needed to install the charge point.

Charge point home-installation_primary fusebox_checlist photos

Primary fuse box

Please take a photo of your primary fuse box.

  • Please ensure the lid is open and that all switches and labels are legible
shell recharge- home charge point installation-checklist photo_mainservicefuse

Main service fuse

Please take a photo of your main service fuse. This can be found next to the electricity meter. Please make sure the following can be seen in the photo:

  • Main service fuse amp (A) rating
  • The amount of cables that are entering the bottom of your main service fuse
  • Isolator switch
Home installation_main service fuse_UK_closeup

Secondary fuse box and fuse box cable (if you have one)

Some households, also have a secondary fuse box. This may be closer to the desired charging location, perhaps a garage or out-house. If you have one, please take a photo.

Please also take a that shows the size of the cable that feeds into the secondary fuse box. There are 3 places where this can be found, you just need to take a photo of one of them:

  • The text on the cable of your secondary fuse box. This may indicate the size '3 x 6 mm' or similar
  • Your electrical installation certificate (if available)
  • The lid of your primary fuse box
Charge point home-installation_ fusebox cable_checklist photos

3. Earthing and bonding of water/gas

We also need photos of your earthing, sometimes referred to as bonding. This is a safety precaution, that reduces risk of electrocution. Therefore, for compliance reasons, we need to see evidence of both water and gas or, oil earthing.

Home charge point installation_evidence of bonding_check list photos

Water earthing bonding

Please take a photo of the water earthing (bonding) in your home.


Water earthing is the use of a thick green and yellow copper cable, to connect your supply to your main service fuse.

Home charge point installation_check list photos

Gas oil earthing

If you use gas or oil at your home, please take a photo of the gas/oil earthing (bonding).


Gas or oil earthing is similar to water earthing, it connects to your main service fuse with cables identifiable by their green or yellow colour.

UK Online installation survey 10 additional photo

Supporting photos or videos

You can also supply additional photos or videos (smaller than 10MB). This is optional, but can help in providing more insight into your installation situation.

Next we need you to provide your MPAN

An MPAN is the unique number of your electricity meter

Please write down the last 13 digits of your MPAN (sometimes called a supply number), found on your electricity bill. If you cannot find it, you can request it online from most DNOs. You can find out who your DNO is using this link.

Property sketch, blueprint or floor plan

Please supply a floor plan of your property. If you do not have this, please draw an aerial view sketch of the floor plan of your property. Please include the desired cable route, being aware that the cable will need to go along the walls, rather than the shortest route across the room. Clearly mark:

  • Primary fuse box
  • Secondary fuse box (if you have one)
  • Internet router
  • Electric meter (always next to main service fuse)
  • Desired charge point location
  • The desired cable route with distances

1-phase or 3-phase connection

Check your connection

We also need to check your phase connection to ensure your house is able to take the load of the new appliance. The number of phases of your meter cupboard determines the maximum charging capacity of your charge point. A 1-phase connection is the UK standard and will allow charging of 7.4kW. Most of the appliances, such as television, lights, and fridges, we use at home have a lighter load and therefore need less electricity to work than industrial equipment.

Even though a 3-phase will allow charging speeds of up to 22kW, 1-phase is more than sufficient for domestic use.

Do you have an Isolator switch?

See video above

The isolator switch is an important safety measure, that allows you to fully disconnect the flow of electricity to your home. The electrician is then able to install an EV charge point without risk of electric exposure. This is an important measure and will be required for your installation. Contact your energy provider to have one retro fitted if you do not already have one.

Where do you find it? Your isolator switch will be next to your electricity meter, in your meter cabinet.

Documents for the OZEV grant

If you are eligible...

We will ask you a few questions to check whether you qualify for the OZEV grant, a one-off subsidy to help with the costs of charge points and installations. Not everyone qualifies, but if you do meet the requirements, we will apply for the grant on your behalf. To do this, we will ask you to provide some information and upload a few documents. You can submit either an official copy of the document or a photo, just make sure the information is clear.

  • icon_ICONS TEAL-1

    Rental agreement

    Only applicable if you are renting your property.

  • OEM

    Vehicle registration number (VRN)

    Please supply the number plate (if you have it)

  • leasing

    Vehicle order confirmation

    Only applicable if you have already purchased an electric vehicle.

Download the checklist

Download a PDF version of this checklist, so have it to hand when you need it next.

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