A typical home EV charger is a wall-mounted box about the size of a large book, with a charging cable and a connector that plugs into the car. Some are hard-wired to a 240 V circuit; others plug into a 240 V outlet. A portable home charger looks like a thick cable with a control box in the middle and a household or 240 V plug on the end.
The Main Parts
- Enclosure: the box containing the relay, protection electronics and controls, often with LEDs or a small screen.
- Charging cable: usually 16–25 ft, permanently attached (“tethered”) or plugged in by the driver (“socketed”, common in Europe).
- Vehicle connector: NACS, J1772 or Type 2, with a holster on the wall when not in use.
- Supply connection: hard-wired, or a plug such as NEMA 14-50.
- Optional extras: RFID reader, Wi-Fi or Ethernet, cable hook, pedestal for driveways.
Types You Will See
| Type | What it looks like | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-mounted, tethered | Box with cable and holster | Most North American homes |
| Wall-mounted, socketed | Box with a Type 2 socket; driver brings a cable | Common in the UK and Europe |
| Portable | Cable with in-line control box and wall plug | Renters, travel, existing outlets |
| Pedestal | Charger on a post | Driveways and shared parking |
See tethered vs socketed wallbox chargers for the pros and cons.
Examples
The EVDANCE EV-ACT5006T 48A Level 2 wall charger is a wall-mounted Level 2 charger with a 25 ft NACS cable. The EVDANCE EV-ACT3204E 22 kW wallbox is a three-phase wallbox available with a tethered Type 2 cable or a socket. The EVDANCE EV-ACS4005T 40A NACS portable charger is a portable charger with a 1.77-inch colour screen on the control box.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a home EV charger?
Most wall units are roughly 30–40 cm tall and weigh a few kilograms, plus the cable.
Does a home charger need a pedestal?
Only if there is no suitable wall near the parking space.
Is a home charger noisy?
No. Most make no sound except a relay click when charging starts and stops.
Related Reading
- How Do Home EV Chargers Work?
- Which Level 2 Charger Should I Buy?
- Tethered vs Socketed Wallbox Chargers
- EV Charger Cable Length Guide
Key Takeaways
- A home charger is usually a wall box with cable and connector, or a portable cable with a control box.
- Tethered units dominate in North America; socketed units are common in Europe.
- Hard-wired and plug-in versions both exist.