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BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
August 31, 2026

EV Charger installs

  • August 31, 2026
  • 5 replies
  • 45 views

We’ve just had an EV charger installed (not via OVO) and I thought it might be worth giving a note for anyone with Solar PV. The guide shown here is very good but even though our installer followed this process, they managed to reconnect our Solar inverter CT the wrong way around, meaning that the inverter went into battery discharge.

Luckily I knew why and how to fix it but it’s worth taking a photograph of your wiring and in particular your Solar inverter CT because it’s important to note which cable it clips around and also which way around it sits - the CT usually has an arrow moulded into the casing and it needs to point in a particular direction, often towards the consumer unit.

I can imagine the installer not knowing this and even considering that they haven’t touched the inverter itself and therefore couldn’t have caused a problem but it is vital that the CT is correctly positioned.

It would be worth installers making this a note on their checklist.

    5 replies

    Peter E
    Super User
    Peter ESuper User
    Super User
    August 31, 2026

    The technology gap. The gap between the level that the designers produce equipment who often have degree level qualifications to the level that insrallers have. I'm not deliberately being unkind to installers because they have general wiring specific training and qualifications and subtleties like the arrow on the CT clamp can go unnoticed in the vast body of wiring specifics concerned with safety. Without experience I'm sure they often feel out of their depth and it's not their fault.

     

    Well done for spotting thst but there will be a load more that get missed. 

    Reducing my yearly fossil fuel usage with an EV (-900 litres petrol), A2AHP (-8,700 kWh gas) and Timed Immersion heater (-1,500 kWh gas)
      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
      Super User
      August 31, 2026

      I can imagine a Solar PV installer being hesitant in correcting such a mistake as:

      1. They didn’t cause it
      2. It was working when they installed 

      The need for knowledge and understanding across systems is becoming more significant as technologies become more ingrained into everyday life and it's something I’ve mentioned for sometime now.

      Even within a technology, the training is limited to basic skills and so subtleties of connection and associated services is a gap, few are currently able to fill 

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper UserAuthor
        Super User
        August 31, 2026

        You could rightly say that the charge point installer should be responsible for ensuring everything is working as it was before arrival but from what I’ve seen, they are keen to get away after they finish and even if the customer can see the issue, unless the cause is known, it can be time consuming to correct.

        The issue and correction itself is simple but the understanding needs to be in place for this to happen 

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        Ben_OVO
        Community Manager
        Ben_OVO
        Community Manager
        September 1, 2026

        Morning ​@BPLightlog,

         

        Thanks for posting this experience - I’m sure you’re right that this will be happening across the board at times, and it certainly isn’t the first time we’ve seen this on the Forum. It’s lucky that some of our members like you and ​@Peter E are aware of what must be done in this situation, and that we’ve got some good content that will help people when this happens.

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          Peter E
          Super User
          Peter ESuper User
          Super User
          September 1, 2026

          Depends on the T&Cs the installer is contracted. I would guess it's just installation and checking the device has internet access. When it comes down to compatibility between, say, the car and the CA service, particularly if it in beta, then I don't think the installer has any liability especially if the only time it can be tested is when charging happens to be scheduled for 02:30 hrs.  If it doesn't work who has the responsibility for fixing it?

          Reducing my yearly fossil fuel usage with an EV (-900 litres petrol), A2AHP (-8,700 kWh gas) and Timed Immersion heater (-1,500 kWh gas)
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