MEP · 10 checks

EV Charging
QA inspection checklist

Electric vehicle charging point installation quality audit.

Every check below carries what good looks like, when it passes, the standard it comes from and the defects that usually fail it. That guidance is what turns a tick-box into an inspection.

Installation

  1. 1.
    Charger type and rating match specification
    What to look forCharger type (Mode 2, Mode 3, Mode 4 / DC), socket / tethered, rated current (typically 7 kW / 32 A single-phase, 22 kW / 32 A three-phase, 50+ kW DC) per design. Smart functionality per Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 61851-1 / BS 7671 Section 722: charger to standard for Mode and current. Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021 require default off-peak charging, randomised delay, security. CE/UKCA per Construction Products Regulation.
    StandardBS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Section 722 — EV charging installations. BS EN 61851-1:2019 — EV conductive charging system. Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.
    Common defectsNon-compliant charger (does not meet Smart CP Regulations) — illegal saleWrong rating (7 kW where 22 kW specified) — slow chargingNo Type B or Type A + DC RCD (per BS 7671) — DC fault current passes through standard RCDTethered cable when socket required — wrong productImported product without UKCA
  2. 2.
    Mounting secure and at correct height
    What to look forCharger mounted securely to wall or floor pedestal. Height from ground to bottom of socket / connector typically 0.75-1.5 m. Cable management hooks for tethered units. Pedestal foundation per manufacturer.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 61851-1 / Approved Document M: socket / connector 0.75-1.5 m AFFL. IPx4 minimum outdoor. Wall fixing into structural element with pull-out test if necessary. Pedestal C20/25 concrete foundation.
    StandardBS EN 61851-1:2019. Approved Document M. Manufacturer install manual.
    Common defectsMounted too low — connector damage from kerbMounted too high — accessibility failFixed to lightweight blockwork without anchor — pull-outPedestal foundation too small — tiltsCable management absent — drape over ground, vehicle damage
  3. 3.
    Cable route protected and tidy
    What to look forCable from consumer unit to charger via mechanical protection where exposed (conduit, trunking, bury). No surface clipping in vehicle traffic routes. Cable size selected for full load + voltage drop and ambient correction.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 7671: cable size adequate for design current; voltage drop ≤ 5% (or per design). Mechanical protection in zones susceptible to damage. Underground cable in ducting at adequate depth.
    StandardBS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Section 722 / Section 522 (selection of cables).
    Common defectsSurface cable in driveway — vehicle damageCable size below CCC for sustained 32 A drawVoltage drop > 5% — charger throttlesNo ducting underground — cable damaged by future worksCable rated 70°C insulation in hot zone
  4. 4.
    Dedicated circuit from distribution board
    What to look forEV charger on dedicated final circuit from consumer unit. Dedicated MCB / RCBO. Load current calculation considers diversity for whole-house consumer unit. Maximum demand of CU not exceeded.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 7671 Section 722.411.4: dedicated circuit; OCPD per charger rating; PME considerations (TT earth or PEN fault detection per Section 722.411.4.1). Diversity calculation by Section 311.
    StandardBS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Sections 722, 311. IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation.
    Common defectsNo dedicated circuit — shared with other loadsOCPD wrong rating — nuisance trips or no protectionCU max demand exceeded — main fuse tripsPME issue not addressed — TN-C-S earth issue with fault scenariosCable from CU to charger spurred from socket circuit
  5. 5.
    Earthing and protection devices correct
    What to look forEarth arrangement TN-C-S with PEN fault detection or converted to TT (rod electrode). RCD Type A + DC fault detection or Type B (per charger spec). Surge protection device. Labelled per BS 7671.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 7671 Section 722.411.4.1: TN-C-S requires open-PEN fault detection in charger; alternatively TT with adequate rod resistance. RCD per charger manual (Type B for EVs without internal Type B). SPD recommended.
    StandardBS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Section 722. IET Code of Practice for EV Charging.
    Common defectsTN-C-S without PEN detection — touch voltage hazard if PEN breaksType AC RCD where Type A or B required — DC blindingTT earth electrode not measured — high resistanceNo SPD — charger killed by surgeLabels missing

Commissioning

  1. 6.
    Charge and disconnect test completed
    What to look forFunctional test charge to a vehicle (or test simulator). Cable lock engages. Status indicators show. Charging starts and stops cleanly. Emergency disconnect simulates a fault. Recorded in commissioning sheet.
    Acceptable whenPer BS EN 61851-1 / IET CoP / manufacturer commissioning: full charge cycle to test vehicle / simulator (CP / PP signals); fault simulation and recovery. Records retained.
    StandardBS EN 61851-1:2019. IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation.
    Common defectsNo functional test — charger never activatedLock fails — connector falls outStatus LED wrong colour for stateFault simulation not performedNo commissioning record
  2. 7.
    RCD and overcurrent protection tested
    What to look forRCD trip tested at rated and 5× rated current; trip times within BS 7671 limits. OCPD verified for design current. PSC / Zs measured. Verification recorded on EIC.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 7671: RCD trip time ≤ 300 ms at rated, ≤ 40 ms at 5× rated; verified Zs gives disconnection within 0.4 s for socket circuit. OCPD breaking capacity adequate for PSC.
    StandardBS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Sections 722, 612.
    Common defectsRCD trip time > 300 ms — non-compliantZs > permitted — disconnection too slowPSC > breaker rating — explosion risk on faultTest voltage / current not as standardNo record on EIC
  3. 8.
    Network connectivity confirmed (if smart charger)
    What to look forSmart charger connected via Wi-Fi / 4G / Ethernet to manufacturer cloud. Mobile app paired with client account. Off-peak schedule per Smart Charge Points Regulations active by default. Cybersecurity update applied.
    Acceptable whenPer Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021: charger has default off-peak schedule, randomised delay, secure pairing, anti-tampering, software update mechanism. Client paired and informed.
    StandardElectric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. ENA G98 / G99 (DNO notification). MCS Smart Charge.
    Common defectsSmart functions disabled at install — Smart CP regulation breachClient not paired — cannot adjust scheduleCyber security update not appliedOff-peak schedule not set — no benefit to clientConnectivity drops out — charger not communicating
  4. 9.
    OZEV grant paperwork submitted (if applicable)
    What to look forOZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) Workplace Charging Scheme / EV Chargepoint Grant for renters and flat owners application made by approved installer. Photo evidence of install, MID code, electrical certificate uploaded.
    Acceptable whenPer OZEV scheme rules: installer must be OZEV-authorised; submission within scheme deadlines; evidence per scheme requirements (smart charger, MCS-style installer, photos, EIC). Up to £350 per chargepoint typical.
    StandardOZEV Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). EV Chargepoint Grant for renters and flat owners.
    Common defectsInstaller not OZEV-authorised — grant ineligibleApplication not submitted — client misses outWrong scheme applied to (homeowner WCS — wrong)Evidence incompleteDeadline missed
  5. 10.
    Electrical Installation Certificate issued
    What to look forEIC per BS 7671 Appendix 6 issued for the new circuit. Signed by competent person registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or similar Part P scheme. Notification to Building Control via Part P (England) or registered scheme.
    Acceptable whenPer BS 7671 / Building Regulations Approved Document P: EIC required; competent person notification to Building Control via scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA). Held by client.
    StandardBS 7671:2018+A2:2022. Approved Document P (Electrical Safety). NICEIC / NAPIT / ELECSA scheme rules.
    Common defectsNo EIC issued — non-compliantInstaller not Part P registered — Building Control not notifiedEIC missing test resultsNo copy left with clientWrong type certificate (MEIWC instead of EIC)

Questions people ask

What is a ev charging QA inspection for?

To record that the work was checked against the specification before it was covered up or handed over: a pass or fail against each item, a measurement where one matters, and a photo where it failed. It is the evidence a client's quantity surveyor or clerk of works asks for, and the thing that settles the argument at final account.

What standards does this checklist check against?

Each item names its reference. On this checklist that includes BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Section 722, BS EN 61851-1:2019. Approved Document M. Manufacturer install manual., BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Section 722 / Section 522 (selection of cables)., BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Sections 722, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Section 722. IET Code of Practice for EV Charging., BS EN 61851-1:2019. IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation.. The contract specification and the approved drawings always take precedence over a general standard; where they say something stricter, inspect to that.

Who signs a QA inspection off?

The person who carried out the check, named and dated, and where the contract calls for it the client's representative as a witness. The signature records that the check was done and what was found. It is not a warranty of the work.

How many items are on it, and do I have to use them all?

10 checks across 2 sections. Delete what does not apply to the job and add anything the specification asks for that is not here. A checklist that has plainly been thought about carries more weight than a long one nobody read.

Is this useful for a subcontractor as well as a main contractor?

More so. The subcontractor is the one who gets asked to come back and open something up. A signed inspection sheet with photos at the time is the cheapest insurance on a construction site.

Run this inspection on a phone

The same 10 checks, with the guidance a tap away, photos against each fail, measurements recorded, an NCR raised automatically and a branded PDF at the end. Signed on site. 14 days free.

Start free trial