Charging via the wall outlet: what do you need?
No charging station nearby? With a mobile charger, you can charge via a regular power outlet or a high-voltage outlet. Here's what you need...
Lees verder1-phase or 3-phase charging: what is the difference?
Why does one car charge at 11 kW and another at 7.4 kW? We explain what phases and amps mean and what that tells you about your charging cable.
With charging cables, you keep seeing terms such as 1-phase, 3-phase, 16A, and 32A. Together, they determine how much power can flow through the cable and therefore how quickly your car can charge. Below, we explain it without complicated formulas.
Phases and amperes in brief
Electricity comes in through one or three “wires” carrying voltage: the phases. A certain current flows through each phase, measured in amperes (A). You calculate the power as follows:
230 volts × number of phases × amperes = power
| Phases | Current | Power |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16A | 3.7 kW |
| 1 | 32A | 7.4 kW |
| 3 | 16A | 11 kW |
| 3 | 32A | 22 kW |
What determines how quickly you charge?
Three things matter, and the weakest link determines the speed:
- The charging station: most public charging stations deliver 11 or 22 kW.
- The cable: it can handle a maximum number of phases and amperes.
- The car: the charger in your car charges on 1 or 3 phases and has a maximum current.
A car that charges on 3 phases at 16A (11 kW) will simply charge at 11 kW at a 22 kW charging station. A faster cable will not change that.
Where things go wrong: 1-phase cars with 32A
Many plug-in hybrids and some electric cars charge on 1 phase at 32A (7.4 kW). An 11 kW cable is designed for 3 phases at 16A. With such a car, only 16A will flow through that one phase, so you charge at 3.7 kW: twice as slowly.
For these cars, a 7.4 kW cable (1 phase, 32A) or a 22 kW cable (3 phases, 32A) works. The latter charges just as quickly and is also suitable for a future car that can handle 22 kW.
What about at home?
If you charge at home with your own charging station, your electrical panel also determines what is possible. Many Dutch homes have a 3-phase connection rated at 3×25A, but this varies from one home to another. An installer can tell you what your connection can handle. With a mobile charger connected to a regular wall socket, you always charge on 1 phase, at a maximum of 16A.
Which cable do I need?
Look at your car, not the charging station. If your car charges on 3 phases at 16A, an 11 kW cable is sufficient. If it charges on 1 phase at 32A, choose 7.4 kW or 22 kW. Not sure? Our selection guide will work it out for you based on the make, model, and year of manufacture.
