Changing a home charge point is not a second first installation. In most swaps the circuit, breaker and cable run stay; a licensed electrician exchanges the unit, and the real work is two decisions: whether the circuit suits the new charger, and re-creating the old one’s settings. Plug-in chargers are the exception: those you can unplug and replace yourself.
Key Takeaways
- A swap reuses the existing circuit in most cases; the NEC 125% rule decides whether a more powerful unit needs circuit work.
- Record the old unit’s settings, schedules, enrolled cards and charge history before it is removed — none of it transfers.
- Hard-wired swaps are electrician work; plug-in swaps you can do yourself.
- Rebuild the configuration on day one and supervise the first charge.
First Decision: Does the Existing Circuit Suit the New Charger?
EV charging is a continuous load, and the National Electrical Code sizes the breaker at 125% of the charger’s current. That single rule decides most swaps:
| Your swap | What the circuit needs |
|---|---|
| Same current as the old unit (e.g. 32 A for 32 A) | The existing circuit normally serves, once the electrician confirms its condition — 32 A charging sits on a 40 A breaker |
| Lower current than the old unit | No circuit change; the new unit is set at or below what the circuit already supports |
| Higher current (e.g. 40 A to 48 A) | The breaker and possibly the wiring must be checked and upgraded: 40 A charging needs a 50 A breaker, 48 A needs 60 A |
| Plug-in to hard-wired, or the reverse | Keep the outlet, or have the electrician convert the connection point |
Whether the old charger deserves replacing is a separate question, covered in the guides linked below; this article assumes the decision is made.
Before the Old Unit Comes Off
Settings do not move house with you. Capture them while the old charger is still alive:
- Note the current-limit setting. It is the value the new unit must match or stay under.
- Save your schedules. Off-peak timers, tariff windows and load limits live in the old unit or its app. Screenshot them; you will re-enter them from scratch.
- Export your charging history if you claim charging costs from an employer or for taxes; it usually leaves with the old account.
- List what is enrolled. RFID cards, app users and Wi-Fi credentials all need setting up again.
- Photograph the installation — breaker label, rating plate, cable route — so the electrician can quote the swap before arriving.
The Swap Itself
For a hard-wired unit, the appointment is an electrician’s job from start to finish: they isolate the circuit, remove the old charger, fit and connect the new one, set its current limit to match the circuit, and test it with your car before leaving. Permit and inspection treatment of a like-for-like swap differs by area, so let the electrician confirm what your local rules require when you book. Keep the new paperwork with the original installation records. If the old unit still works, its future — spare, second spot, a new owner or e-waste — is a separate decision; never resell a damaged unit.
Setting Up the New Unit on Day One
A replacement such as the EVDANCE EV-ACT5006T 48A Level 2 wall charger arrives with none of your old configuration. On day one: join it to your Wi-Fi and app account, re-enter the off-peak schedule you saved, re-enrol RFID cards, and set the current limit to the circuit’s value — not the charger’s maximum — unless the electrician already locked it. Run the first charge while you are home and awake, and check the connector is clean and seats fully, as our guide to cleaning an EV charger connector shows. Swapping a plug-in model is simpler: the EVDANCE EV-ACS4005T 40A portable charger plugs into the existing NEMA 14-50 outlet, so the exchange needs no visit, only the same settings routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change a hard-wired charger myself?
No — a hard-wired charger is part of the fixed wiring, so removal and refitting is licensed-electrician work. The DIY exception is a plug-in unit: switch off, unplug the old one, plug in the new one.
Will the new charger charge faster on the same circuit?
Only if the old charger was below the circuit’s limit. The circuit sets the ceiling — a 40 A breaker supports 32 A of charging — and your car’s onboard charger may set a lower one. Our guide to how many amps an EV charger needs works through the numbers.
Do I need a new permit to swap a charger?
It depends on where you live and whether the electrical work changes. A straight unit exchange on an unchanged circuit is often treated differently from a new installation, but the rules are local — your electrician confirms before work starts.
Related Reading
- How Long Do Home EV Chargers Last?
- Which Level 2 Charger Should I Buy? A Buyer’s Checklist
- How Many Amps Does an EV Charger Need?
- How to Clean an EV Charger Connector
