{"id":88572,"date":"2025-01-20T14:59:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T05:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=88572"},"modified":"2025-01-30T12:01:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T02:31:32","slug":"bunnings-dodgy-ev-charger-installs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/bunnings-dodgy-ev-charger-installs\/","title":{"rendered":"Concerns Swirl Around Bunnings’ Troubled EV Charger Rollout"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Bunnings

Bunnings EV charger displays, photo posted November 19th 2024<\/p><\/div>\n

It seems you can buy just about anything at Bunnings these days, with EV charging systems the latest addition to the ever-growing hardware store.<\/p>\n

The original version of this article has been updated with comment and corrections from Bunnings.<\/em><\/p>\n

The big green shed has caused a stir in EV enthusiast circles by launching yet another contentious line of merchandise, complete with warning labels on their displays telling customers they will need qualified installation \u2014 so SolarQuotes decided to investigate.<\/p>\n

After crawling through Binno\u2019s websites, pursuing web chats, and even enquiring in-store, we found that, unsurprisingly, the people selling paint and pot plants don\u2019t know what the pointy end of an EV charger looks like.<\/p>\n

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?<\/h2>\n

In my opinion the installation service Bunnings offers to sublet isn\u2019t of a high standard, and this is not a project you should risk undertaking yourself: we\u2019ve covered the perils of unqualified electrical work a few times in the past, from electric shocks that can knock you off your ladder<\/a> to the dangers of pests chewing through exposed wiring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the first time the company that describes itself as \u201cAustralia\u2019s DIY, Garden & Hardware store\u201d has moved into products that require a professional. You might technically need a license to install a new tap from Bunnings, but the risks posed by a water leak are pretty low (I could make a joke here about a plumber\u2019s licence to make sh!t flow downhill).<\/p>\n

I would never recommend people do their own gas plumbing with the fittings available at Bunnings. If that goes pear-shaped, it can level your house and kill all the occupants in an instant. That\u2019s a good reason to get off gas, in any case<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Bunnings representative advised SolarQuotes that \u201cBunnings is, first and foremost, a home improvement store. This means our customer base is not only the DIY customer, but also includes the trade customer\u201d and that the company \u201cadvises customers, both at point of sale and online, that all hardwired electric vehicle wall chargers must be installed by a qualified electrician.\u201d<\/p>\n

EV Chargers Require Permission<\/h2>\n

After checking out a point-of-sale display with DETA, DeWalt and Tesla EVSE equipment, we found that only the Tesla QR code worked when scanned in-store, while the others had broken links. It seems the Tesla and DeWalt units were the only Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP)<\/a> compliant options, which are legally required to install in South Australia<\/a>, the state where the display was located.<\/p>\n

There are 17 different network companies in Australia and they all have differing requirements for EV charging equipment<\/a> to be connected, through your retail meter, to their poles and wires. Not all of them mandate OCPP connectivity right now, but they will soon enough.<\/p>\n

Permission Comes Via Your Electrician<\/h2>\n

The green shed retailers can\u2019t actually organise your installation, as they don\u2019t have the licence or the login to use the appropriate Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) portal. Rather, they offer to get a subcontracted electrician to do the preparation, installation and compliance (\u201cstarting from\u201d a rock-bottom price of course).<\/p>\n

Bunnings has clarified that warranty works on a defective unit will be paid for, as they should under consumer law.<\/p>\n

However, the DETA wall connector at Bunnings\u2019 flagship store at Mile End has now disappeared, presumably because it is non-compliant and can\u2019t be installed in SA.<\/p>\n

Bunnings advised SolarQuotes that: \u201cDue to the state-specific regulations relating to the Demand Response requirements, the Arlec and DETA EV chargers are not offered for sale in South Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fine Print of The Bunnings Offer<\/h2>\n

The installation Bunnings specified starts from $699 (although a basic install quote requested by SolarQuotes reached $843 including GST and an \u201cEV Charger Attendance Fee\u201d<\/a>). The install includes 10 metres of 6mm\u00b2 Four Core and Earth (4c&e) sheathed cable (ie suitable for 3 phase).<\/p>\n

In the original version of this piece, I made a common assumption: I mistakenly said Bunnings\u2019 installation involved a 32amp circuit breaker. Bunnings actually didn\u2019t specify circuit protection in the installation guide but has since advised us: \u201ca 40amp circuit breaker and 6mm\u00b2 cable \u2026 forms the basis of the offer however, dependant on the site requirements, the specifications for the circuit breaker and cabling may increase to ensure that all installations are AS\/NZS3000 compliant.\u201d<\/p>\n

In my view this 6mm\u00b2 cable simply isn\u2019t enough \u2013 in fact nominating a 40a supply on the same wiring I assumed was 32a just makes matters worse.<\/p>\n

The cable Bunnings offer is rated for an absolute maximum of 40 amps. However if the surrounding conditions aren\u2019t perfect\u00a0it simply doesn\u2019t pass muster.<\/p>\n

Electricians Are Argumentative Asses<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve heard the saying, assumptions make an ass<\/strong> of u<\/strong> & me<\/strong>. Many qualified people will die on a hill defending their mistakes, but even though it\u2019s an incredibly common rule of thumb, 6mm\u00b2 cable doesn\u2019t automatically mean a 32 amp circuit.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s great that Bunnings have clarified that their offer complies with AS3000 clause 1.7.1(c)1<\/a><\/sup> but I still worry that by offering 6mm\u00b2 cable by default, they are making it much more likely that 6mm\u00b2 cable will be the default used.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d suggest Bunnings drop the mention of cable gauge (or breaker size) from the offer altogether.<\/p>\n

Cable Sizes Need To Match The Circuit Breaker<\/h2>\n

AS3000 specifies the minimum standard and defers to manufacturer instructions as part of the rules.<\/p>\n

Schneider Electric (the company that bought Clipsal) has specific considerations<\/a> for circuit rating and protection in switchboards:<\/p>\n