Sales of EVs (electric cars) across the UK are at an all-time high, more than any other EU country. The convenience and efficiency of driving an EV transforms how consumers view getting from the shops, school, work, and other daily activities.
The problem is that the increased need for charging infrastructure also leads to more error codes and faults. Finding a functional EV charger is a “must-have” for these areas, but when there is a maintenance issue with local resources, EV charger repair must occur.
As more people integrate EVs into daily life, the reliability of EV charging stations must be addressed at the government and local policy levels. Having electric mobility requires careful attention to infrastructure to enhance both access and an efficient driving experience. That begins with knowing the common faults in EV charger maintenance.
Green Spark Electrics specialises in EV charger repair and maintenance. We have seen massive spikes in faults happening around local EV stations. Here is a quick guide for what those faults mean and how you can best address them to return service to the device.
Let’s start by looking at the different colour codes a typical EV charger station will present whenever there is a code error or fault. Different colours have different meanings based on the manufacturer and model. There are some common standards to follow, including:
·Green Light: Indicates the EV is currently charging when blinking green and fully charged when the green light is solid. However, you should check the EV’s dashboard to ensure it matches the colour code.
·Red Light: Red lights on your EV charger means an error or fault exists. This could be anything from a poor connection to a safety feature triggered. You should immediately stop charging.
·Yellow/Amber Light: Yellow means you should waiting schedule or “stand by” for further information. It likely means the EV station is ready to charge, but the connection is not made yet.
·Blue Light: When you see a blue light on your home EV charger repair job, it means the station is establishing a connection with the vehicle or that it is ready for use.
· Flashing/Blinking Lights: Flashing lights indicate varying statuses. A slow flash could mean the charger is booting up, while faster flashing means an error or fault, you’ll have to check with the manual to understand.
·Turquoise Flashing Light: The EV charger is waiting for the electrical grid to supply enough power so EVs can begin drawing energy again.
Beyond these basic color-coded faults, you need to keep in mind that the EV charger model impacts the fault. Different manufacturers use different light colours, so always consult the manual for any specifics.
You can also look at the related mobile application. Most electric charger repair stations use a connected app that will explain the colour code visible on the device. You can crossreference this information by looking at the related code from the app in the owner’s manual.
Whenever you come across a red flashing light on your electric vehicle charger repair job, follow the basic troubleshooting steps. Again, the specific steps will depend on your model and car connection, but these are good places to start.
Step 1: Double check you have a good connection between your vehicle and the EV charger station. You can always disconnect the device and clean it before re-connecting.
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Step 2: Inspect the charger and vehicle ports for any dirt, debris, or damage. Gently clean these away and try plugging the cord back into the station.
Step 3: Reset the EV charger according to its specific settings. This may take a few minutes to cycle completely.
Step 4: Be sure to monitor for any overheating. You may want to give the business EV charger repair product a few minutes to cool down – especially if it is not well-ventilated or in direct sunlight.
Step 5: Consider the power supply and ensure the outlet or source power is properly functioning.
Step 6: Consult your owner’s manual for any additional troubleshooting tips concerning the red flashing light.
Step 7: Contact customer support or schedule an inspection by an experienced and reputable professional like our team at Green Spark Electrics.
A significant part of home EV charger repair is regular maintenance. You’ll need to schedule a time to go out and visually check on your charging station. Make sure it is being used as intended and that there is nothing blocking the connection or building up around the device.
Keep your EV charger in a well-ventilated space, free from too much light or any moisture. Extreme temperatures in the winter or summer may also impact your charger usage. Staying up to date with your manufacturer’s firmware or software changes ensures you avoid many of the common issues a red blinking light may indicate.
The most important thing is not to overreact. Be patient and remain proactive with your electric charger repair. That will help you keep the device working smoothly when you need it most.
An EV charging station is just like any other tool in your garage. It is subject to wear, tear, and damage over time, so you must know what to do if the charger decides not to turn on during vehicle startup.
You’ll want to inspect the electric vehicle charger repair device for any visible fraying, cracks, or cuts in insulation. Whenever you see exposed wires, you have a serious safety risk. This can also lead to intermittent charging where the device works sporadically or the connection suddenly drops out.
In many cases, your EV charging station is overheating. You may have a short circuit or electrical issue if the lead feels hot during use. Look for any smoke and smell around for odours that indicate a meltdown or electrical fault.
Some EVs will display an error message you can look up in the manual to verify the underlying cause of the issue and what steps to take next.
If you suspect your EV charger repair project will involve fixing the lead, you should take some immediate action. Immediately stop using the charger. You want to disconnect from both the vehicle and charging station to interrupt the flow of electricity.
Inspect any damage you see and make a note of everything from a minor scratch to a major issue. You can use little pieces of electrical tape to safety mark where you see the damage so a professional can conduct repairs.
Be sure to check the damage with your warranty. The more you can get the manufacturer involved, the less it will cost you in the short and long term. If the damage is too great, you may have to completely replace the charging unit.
You can prevent much of the potential damage to your EV lead by:
Most EV charging stations have similar construction. While there are branded differences, the general infrastructure is similar enough that you can start to tell the underlying causes of common faults. Here is a quick overview:
You can fix most of these issues by resting the breaker that controls the charger. If it immediately trips again, you have a much bigger issue to address. You will likely need to check for overloads or inspect the charger and cable before trying again.
You can also have an environmental issue, like a sudden rainstorm causing a leak in a part of the EV charger unit you haven’t noticed before. Make sure your system is on a dedicated circuit and consult a professional, as you may need electric charger repair or have to move the unit into a more secure operational situation.
You can easily prevent most EV charger issues from tripping by scheduling routine inspections of the unit and electrical system. If you live in an older flat or home, it is probably time to upgrade your system to better handle an EV charger station.
No matter what, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations so nothing incompatible with the device is ever plugged in. You need to educate yourself about the electrical requirements of your EV and its charger.
EV charger burnout refers to when the entire unit stops working altogether. This isn’t a situation when it’s just the lead or your home’s electrical wiring. It means everything has[ stopped and will not likely come back on without some serious EV charger repair.
The most common reason your EV charger burnout is happening is due to overloading the circuit with additional appliances or power draws. If there are any wiring issues or you have a poor connection, again and again, excess heat generation will occur, which causes resistance and “kills” the charger.
People trying to charge a device not accepted by the manufacturer’s guidelines will also lead to burnout. You have to match the EV charger maintenance with the vehicle’s precise voltage and amperage.
Again, where you put the EV charger makes a massive difference in unit health. Dust, moisture, and weather conditions can all cause the charger to overheat or short circuit – directly leading to burnout.
Internal components can also fail due to continuous high usage. Be sure to monitor EV charger use for unwanted spikes in activity that place strain on the system. Continuous pulls on electricity are also an indication of improper installation – which will 100% cause burnout. That is why you want to work with a professional like our team at Green Spark Electrics.
If you fear your business EV charger repair is because of burnout, you can look for some early warning signs. This will help you prevent future damage and ensure the longevity of your device. Look for:
If you suspect any of these situations, immediately stop what you’re doing and unplug the EV
charger from your vehicle. Continuing to try and charge when there is a burning smell or
frequent tripping will only make matters worse and likely burn out the device – leading to full
replacement.
Most of the home EV charger repair we see at Green Spark Electrics are due to the device being outdated. EV technology advances extremely fast. While a couple of years is okay, anything past three years old should probably be replaced or upgraded. Most older models won’t have something like “smart charging” or the ability to connect to multiple mobile units for monitoring.
Smart charging with your electric charger repair is the ability to streamline the device’s efficiency, convenience, and sustainability. They optimise how EVs are charged, ensuring the electrical grid isn’t overstressed, and vehicles get a faster response time to get back on the road. This is accomplished through:
Enhanced Security & Safety: Smart charging also improves station security. Encrypted communications and greater user authentication prevent unauthorised access. It ensures a safer EV charging experience – something crucial as more adoption of the technology occurs across the UK.
Another significant part of leveraging smart charging with EV charger repair is the userfriendly features. You can now schedule sessions, track energy consumption, and integrate with home energy management systems. That relieves a lot of the pressure for these devices to be “standalone” and makes them a part of a larger system.
Electric vehicle charger repair also includes updating the devices with any new technologies or physical improvements. Most modern systems now use Type A Residual Current Devices (RCDs). These protect both users and equipment during the charging process.
For example, a Type A RCD is designed to detect and interrupt electrical current leaking into the ground (known as earth faults). These typically happen because of insulation failures, damaged cables, or moisture.
Updating to Type A RCD also improves compatibility. EV systems can now operate with AC and DC components because RCD has residual detection, making them good home and public systems choices.
Any upgrade is going to be more compliant with current codes and regulations. Type A RCD boosts safety by providing additional protection against electric shock. This is a significant benefit considering how many home and business EV charger repair situations occur because of weather exposure.
When you take a standard home EV charger and upgrade to the Type A RCD, you prevent future equipment damage, reducing the likelihood of costly repairs or replacements. This promotes safer usage among EV owners and builds trust with the public as more and more EV charging stations are being built online.
Surge protection is another “must-have” for electric vehicle charger repair. These safeguard equipment, connected vehicles, and users from electrical surges, spikes, or transients.Â
Everything from a wayward lightning strike to power outages can cause a surge, so having this protection is necessary for safe operation.
Surge protection helps protect the equipment. It reduces the need to replace or call for EV charger repair because the protection “absorbs” or diverts excess voltage, protecting the internal circuitry. Such protection contributes to the system’s overall reliability, minimising interruptions and boosting convenience.
The most important for surge protection is safety. You don’t want an unforeseen surge in your EV charger maintenance to suddenly lead to an electrical fire or shock. Integrating SPDs (surge protection devices) is crucial to a safer and risk-free charging experience. Most surge protection works through:
There are two primary types of surge protection available for home and business EV charger repair. The first is integrated surge protection, where the EV charger already has something built into its internal mechanisms (an all-in-one solution).
The second form of surge protection is external, meaning you have a secondary device installed to feed power away if a sudden spike or surge occurs.
Regardless of which you choose, always look at the surge rating and response time. The better these are (higher rating, faster response), the greater the surge protection. You should also consider the warranties or guarantees in case the device does not live up to expectations.
In addition to the colours mentioned about EV charger lights, some other indicators are common to most stations. These include:Â
Knowing how different EV charger repair faults impact your usage is key to having a safe, reliable, and consistent device to keep your car on the road and ready for use. While upgrading fault codes is a good place to start, you should update your device whenever possible with the latest hardware, software, and firmware components. That is how you will receive:
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Upgrading to a better EV charger often comes with local government and utility company incentives, rebates, or tax credits. Working with our team at Green Spark Electrics is a great way to learn more about how you can save money through programs like these when you upgrade.
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Our professional team is located conveniently in Beamish, serving local areas around Stanley, Pelton, Dipton, Concord, and more. We have spent years perfecting our ability to repair EV chargers and stay current with manufacturer updates to ensure a safe and reliable device.
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From professional EV installation service to home EV charger repair, we provide fully certified and insured installations (NAPIT & OZEV approved) at affordable pricing. We are happy to work with government grants and can help you get the EV charger you need. Request an online quote today or book a survey by speaking to our team to get started.
