There is no installer consensus figure to quote: no survey in our sources ranks hardwired against socketed wallboxes, and any percentage you meet elsewhere is not verifiable. What installers actually weigh is a short list of practical considerations — and for the EV-ACT3204PE the choice needs untangling first, because this 22 kW three-phase wallbox is hardwired on the supply side in both versions. The version you choose at order time is on the car side: a tethered Type 2 cable, or a Type 2 socket the driver plugs their own cable into.
Key Takeaways
- No verifiable survey ranks the two; “what installers prefer” resolves into the considerations they weigh per site.
- The EV-ACT3204E is hardwired either way — the real choice is a tethered Type 2 cable or a Type 2 socket, made at order time.
- Tethered rewards readiness; socketed rewards shared walls, mixed cars and nothing exposed between sessions.
- Ask the quoting installer the cable-wear and replacement questions before ordering — their answers are the preference that matters.
First, Separate the Two Choices
“Hardwired vs socketed” mixes two different decisions. The supply side decides how the wallbox connects to the building: hardwired into a circuit, or plugged into an outlet — our guide to hardwired vs plug-in chargers covers that choice. The car side decides where the charging cable lives: fixed to the wallbox (tethered) or carried by the driver (socketed) — covered in our comparison of tethered vs socketed wallbox chargers. On the EV-ACT3204E the supply-side answer is fixed — the model is hardwired — so an installer’s preference only has one place to land: the cable.
What Installers Weigh on the Cable Side
| Consideration | Tethered cable version | Socket version |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness | The cable is always on the wall; the driver just plugs in | The driver brings a cable — nothing to use if they forget it |
| Cable wear | One cable takes every session’s wear; its replacement is a service question for the supplier | Each driver’s own cable wears; the wallbox itself has no cable to damage |
| Mixed cars | One fixed cable length and connector must suit every car that uses the post | Drivers carry the length that suits their car and its charge-port position |
| Shared or public walls | A hanging cable is exposed to damage and weather between sessions | Nothing hangs on the wall between sessions; access is controlled by RFID or the app either way |
| Tidiness | The cable needs a hook or holder routine to stay off the ground | The wall stays clean; cables live in car boots |
None of these rows declares a winner. They explain why two competent installers can recommend opposite versions — a single-car home rewards readiness, a shared car park rewards having nothing exposed.
Questions That Reveal the Preference
Since no statistic settles it, the useful move is to ask the installer quoting your site what sits behind their recommendation:
- Which version do you fit most often on three-phase homes like this one, and why?
- If a tethered cable is damaged in year three, what exactly happens — who replaces it, and is the wallbox out of service meanwhile?
- Several cars will use this post. Does one fixed cable length reach all their charge ports from this wall position?
- Does the socket version change anything about how RFID or app access works day to day?
The answers are site-specific, which is the point: “preference” in this trade is experience applied to a wall, a supply and a set of cars — not a league table.
The EV-ACT3204PE Either Way
Whichever version is ordered, the EV-ACT3204PE is the same charger: 22 kW three-phase at 32 A (380–400 V), hardwired, Type 2, RFID and app access control, IP66 enclosure, listed with CE and RoHS. The version choice changes the cable arrangement, not the output — a car charges at the rate its own onboard charger accepts, up to 22 kW, on both versions. A licensed installer confirms the three-phase supply and fits the unit; the version decision belongs in the order, before that visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
So which do installers prefer, in percentage terms?
There is no sourced figure, and this article will not invent one. Installers’ recommendations follow the site: readiness and simplicity argue for the tethered cable; shared walls and mixed cars argue for the socket.
Can the version be changed after installation?
The version is a configuration chosen at order time. Treat it as fixed for planning; if a change is ever needed, confirm what it involves with the supplier and your installer before assuming parts swap over.
Does the socket version charge more slowly?
No. Both versions deliver up to 22 kW; the session rate is set by the car. The choice is about the cable, not the power.
Related Reading
- Tethered vs Socketed Wallbox Chargers: Which Should You Install?
- EV Charger Hardwired vs Plug-In: Which Should You Choose?
- Wallbox Home Charger Installation Guide 2026: Costs, Amperage, and What Determines Charging Speed
- EV Charger Cable Length Guide: 5 m, 7.5 m or Longer?
Sources & Standards
- U.S. DOE AFDC — Charging Electric Vehicles at Home
- IET — Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation
Related: Single-Gun Charging Pile OEM/ODM: Choosing the Wallbox Platform for Your Brand
