IP Rating for EV Chargers UK

UK guide to IP ratings for EV charging installations per BS 7671 Section 722. Wallbox specs, Type B RCD, plug body IP67, and weatherproof mounting.

What IP Rating for EV Chargers? Quick Answer

BS 7671 Section 722 requires a minimum of IP44 for EV charger enclosures and IPX4 for plugs. In practice, most UK domestic wallboxes ship as IP54 or IP55 (Zappi, Ohme, Easee One, Wallbox Pulsar Plus), with IP67-rated Type 2 plug bodies. For fully exposed outdoor mounting, specify IP65. Commercial rapid chargers carry IP65 minimum. Every EV circuit MUST have a 30mA Type B RCD (Reg 722.411.4) — Type A or AC RCDs can be blinded by DC leakage from EVs. Mount under an eave or add a weatherproof hood if the site is fully exposed to wind-driven rain.

EV Charger IP Ratings at a Glance

ComponentTypical IP RatingBS 7671 minimumNotes
Domestic wallbox enclosure (sheltered)IP54 or IP55IP44Zappi, Ohme, Easee standard
Domestic wallbox (fully exposed)IP65 preferredIP44Step up from baseline, or add weatherproof hood
Commercial/public wallboxIP65 minimumIP44Vandal and weather resistant
Rapid DC charger (50kW+)IP65 / IP66Per BS EN 61851Liquid cooling, IP67 plug bodies
Type 2 plug body (IEC 62196)IP44 (open) / IP55-IP67 (mated)IPX4Mated rating applies during charging
Untethered cable socket holsterIP44 / IP54IPX4When cap closed and cable unplugged

BS 7671 Section 722 — EV Charging Installation Requirements

Section 722 is the UK-specific regulation for EV charging installations, introduced to cover the unique safety challenges of supplying vehicles with integral power electronics. It applies to mode 2, mode 3, and mode 4 charging (basic household, wallbox, and rapid DC).

Key Regulations in Section 722

  • 722.411.4 — Type B RCD: Mandatory 30mA Type B RCD per charge point. Standard Type A/AC RCDs are insufficient due to DC leakage risk.
  • 722.411.4.1 — PME restriction: Open-PEN detection required if supplying from a PME source without separate earth rod (see PEN fault risk).
  • 722.512.2 — IP rating: Minimum IP44 for enclosure; IPX4 for plugs and sockets.
  • 722.513 — Protection against impact: Consider IK rating for public/commercial installations.
  • 722.521 — Dedicated circuit: Each charge point must have a dedicated radial final circuit; no spurs or ring circuits.
  • 722.524 — Cable sizing: Continuous-duty factor of 1.0 (EV chargers run at full rated current for hours).
  • 722.533.2 — Overcurrent: MCB or MCCB sized for full charger load, coordinated with upstream.
  • 722.711.413.1.2 — Isolation: Isolator within 3m of the charger or at the consumer unit.

G98/G99 notification (Engineering Recommendation): single-phase EV chargers up to 3.68kW (16A) require G98 notification only (installer can proceed without DNO approval). Chargers from 3.68kW up to 16kW (e.g. 7.4kW single-phase, 22kW three-phase) require G99 application and DNO approval before installation.

UK Domestic Wallbox IP Ratings by Brand

Common UK-approved domestic wallboxes and their IP ratings. Specifications current as of Q2 2026 — verify the exact rating on the manufacturer's data sheet before specifying.

WallboxEnclosure IPPlug Body IPPowerRCD Type
myenergi Zappi Gen 3IP54IP67 (mated)7.4kW / 22kWIntegral Type A + DC leakage
Ohme Home ProIP54IP67 (mated)7.4kWIntegral Type A + RDC-DD
Easee OneIP54IP55 (mated)7.4kW / 22kWIntegral Type B — no external RCD required
Wallbox Pulsar PlusIP54IP55 (mated)7.4kW / 22kWIntegral Type A + DC leakage
BP Pulse UltraIP65IP67 (mated)7.4kW / 22kWExternal Type B required
Pod Point Solo 3SIP55IP55 (mated)7.4kW / 22kWIntegral Type A + DC leakage
Hypervolt Home 3.0IP55IP557.4kWIntegral Type A + DC leakage
Schneider EVlink Home SmartIP54IP447.4kWRequires external Type B RCD

RDC-DD vs Type B RCD: Some wallboxes use an integral "residual direct current detecting device" (RDC-DD) instead of a Type B RCD upstream. BS 7671 Reg 722.411.4.1 permits this where the wallbox is type-tested to BS EN 61851-1 for DC fault detection. Confirm with the manufacturer before omitting the upstream Type B RCD.

Why Type B RCD is Mandatory for EV Circuits

Under BS 7671 Reg 722.411.4, EV charge points must be protected by a 30mA Type B RCD (or equivalent DC-detection device). This is NOT optional. Using a standard Type A or Type AC RCD on an EV circuit creates a real safety risk.

RCD Types and What They Detect

  • Type AC: AC fault currents only. Blinded by any DC component. NOT suitable for EV or VFD circuits.
  • Type A: AC + pulsating DC. Can detect up to ~6mA smooth DC. Blinded above this threshold. NOT suitable for EV circuits.
  • Type F: AC + pulsating DC + mixed-frequency AC. Improved but still not DC-tested. NOT rated for EV circuits.
  • Type B: AC + pulsating DC + smooth DC. Tests all fault types including "blinding" DC. REQUIRED for EV circuits.

Why DC Matters on EV Circuits

Electric vehicles contain:

  • Onboard AC-DC charger (rectifier) converting grid AC to battery DC.
  • DC-DC converters for low-voltage auxiliary circuits.
  • Inverters driving the traction motor.

A ground fault in any of these can inject smooth DC current into the protective earth path. Above ~6mA of smooth DC, Type A/AC RCDs are demagnetised by the DC bias and CANNOT trip on a subsequent AC fault. The circuit appears protected but is actually exposed. Type B RCDs use a dual-coil design to detect DC independently.

Typical UK Supplier Part Numbers

  • Schneider RCBO iC60 Type B 30mA: A9Y30B... series, ~£180-250.
  • Hager CDC9Y Type B RCBO: compatible with Hager Invicta consumer units, ~£200-260.
  • Wylex Type B RCBO NHXLB32B: for Wylex consumer units, ~£175-220.
  • Chint NB1L-32: budget Type B RCBO, ~£140-170.

Type B RCBOs cost 3-5× Type A equivalents. This is normal and not a supplier issue. Do not "value engineer" by swapping to Type A — it is not compliant and not safe.

EV Charger Mounting — IP Rating by Location

Sheltered Mounting (most common)

Under an eave, porch, soffit, or within a garage. The charger is protected from direct rainfall and most wind-driven spray.

  • Minimum IP: IP44 (Section 722 compliant).
  • Typical spec: IP54 or IP55 (standard domestic wallbox).
  • Height: 1.2-1.8m to charging-port centre (wheelchair accessibility if commercial).
  • Best for: Most UK driveways with house or garage overhang.

Fully Exposed Outdoor Mounting

Freestanding post, exposed external wall with no overhang, or coastal site.

  • Recommended IP: IP65 (upgrade from standard).
  • Alternative: Standard IP54 wallbox + manufacturer-approved weatherproof hood accessory.
  • Post mounting: Use a dedicated EV charging post with IP65+ rated enclosure.
  • Coastal: Specify 316L stainless steel or powder-coated aluminium to resist salt corrosion. Add IP66 rating for marine exposure.

Flood-Prone or Ground-Level

Sites in Environment Agency flood zones or where ground-level mounting is required.

  • Wallbox: IP65 minimum, mounted at least 1.2m above finished ground level.
  • Plug body: IP67 (standard on most modern Type 2 connectors).
  • Cable glands: IP67 throughout below finished ground level.
  • Consumer unit position: Never mount the CU or RCBO below flood level.

Commercial / Public Charging

Car parks, fleet yards, public EV hubs, rapid charging stations.

  • Wallbox enclosure: IP65 + IK08+ (impact rating) for vandal resistance.
  • Rapid DC (50kW+): IP65 or IP66; some with integral liquid cooling.
  • Plug bodies: IP67 when mated; protective holster IP44 when unplugged.
  • Supply enclosure: Often a separate IP65 DB cabinet in a compound.

Worked Examples — UK EV Charger Installations

Example 1: 7.4kW Zappi under an Eave

  • Location: Under garage eave, mounted 1.4m high, south-facing wall.
  • Charger: myenergi Zappi Gen 3 tethered 7.4kW — IP54 enclosure, IP67 plug body.
  • Cable: 6mm² T&E (copper), 18m run from house consumer unit.
  • Protection: 32A MCB + Schneider iC60 30mA Type B RCBO (~£200 unit cost).
  • DNO notification: G99 application (7.4kW exceeds 3.68kW G98 threshold).
  • Why IP54 is sufficient: Eave overhang blocks direct rainfall; Zappi enclosure handles wind-driven spray without issue per the manufacturer's IP54 rating.

Example 2: 22kW 3-Phase Commercial Wallbox (Car Park)

  • Location: Public car park, freestanding steel post.
  • Charger: BP Pulse Ultra 22kW 3-phase — IP65 enclosure, IP67 plug body, IK08 impact rating.
  • Cable: 10mm² 4-core SWA, buried 600mm deep from supply DB to post.
  • Protection: 40A MCCB + separate external Type B 30mA RCD (BP Pulse Ultra does not integrate Type B).
  • DNO notification: G99 application with connection study. 22kW 3-phase exceeds the 16kW threshold so may require a supply upgrade.
  • Why IP65 + IK08: Exposed outdoor post in a public area; needs to resist vandalism (IK08 = 5kg impact) and full weather exposure.

Example 3: Fleet Depot with 6× 7.4kW Easee One

  • Location: Indoor fleet depot parking bay, sheltered but unheated.
  • Charger: 6× Easee One 7.4kW daisy-chained via Easee Equalizer for phase balancing — IP54 enclosure, IP55 plug body, integral Type B RCD (no external Type B required).
  • Cable: 25mm² 3-phase 4-core SWA sub-main from building MSB to fleet DB; individual 6mm² T&E tails to each charger.
  • Load management: Easee Equalizer dynamically shares a single 63A 3-phase supply across all 6 chargers, preventing simultaneous max-load overtrip.
  • Why IP54 is adequate: Indoor depot; no rain exposure; the indoor-rated wallboxes (which could be IP40) aren't available in this model, so IP54 is the next step up and more than sufficient.

Common EV Charger IP & Installation Mistakes

  • Using Type A or AC RCD instead of Type B. Non-compliant with Reg 722.411.4 and a real safety risk. Some wallboxes integrate Type B detection (Easee) — check manufacturer spec before relying on an external RCBO.
  • Mounting IP54 wallbox on exposed freestanding post. Section 722 minimum is IP44, but a freestanding post with no overhang experiences much more weather than an eaved wall. Upgrade to IP65 or add a rain hood.
  • Shared circuit. EV chargers must have a dedicated radial final circuit per Reg 722.521. Do NOT spur from an existing ring or shared circuit.
  • Cable sized for 80% diversity. EV chargers run at full rated current for hours. No diversity — Reg 722.524 requires 100% continuous-duty sizing.
  • Skipping G99 for 7.4kW chargers. G98 covers ≤3.68kW (16A). A 7.4kW (32A) charger requires G99 application to the DNO before installation. Some rural supplies have PME issues that only surface during G99 review.
  • No isolator within 3m. BS 7671 Section 722.711.413.1.2 requires local isolation either within 3m of the charger or at the consumer unit. A double pole isolator in the house CU is acceptable if the CU is <3m — otherwise install a local isolator.
  • PME supply without open-PEN detection. Some DNO supplies (PME systems) carry a risk of dangerous touch voltage during an open-PEN fault. Reg 722.411.4.1 requires either: (a) open-PEN detection in the charger (most modern wallboxes have this), or (b) a separate earth electrode for the EV circuit (requires G99 application for TT conversion).

Frequently Asked Questions

Related IP Rating Guides

IP Rating Chart UK (all ratings)

Complete IP00 to IP69K reference.

IP65 Rating Explained

Upgrade spec for exposed commercial wallboxes.

IP67 Rating Explained

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EV Charger Calculator

Cable, protection, and DNO notification for EV circuits.

Free: BS 7671 Quick Reference Card

Max Zs values, diversity factors, cable ratings, voltage drop — one printable page. Plus occasional emails with calculator updates and useful tips.

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