What size breaker do I need for a Tesla charger?

Maybe you recently bought a Tesla Model S, X, or three and know you can charge it with your home charger, but do you know what size breaker you'll need?

Electric vehicles save fuel but must be charged with electricity. To control the charging process and protect the car's charging system from high currents, you will need an installed circuit breaker. The breaker size required depends on the vehicle and your charging requirements.

This article explains the difference between Level XNUMX and Level XNUMX chargers, what charging options you have, and a table to help you install the right size switch in various configurations.

With the included mobile level 20 connector, a regular XNUMX amp switch can be used, but will take a few days to fully charge. To use the level two charger, you will need at least a 30 amp circuit breaker, and if you are running on 240 VAC for even faster charging, then a standard 50 amp switch. However, if you are using a Tesla wall jack with a 240V AC power supply, you will need a switch of at least 60 amps.

Below you will find a table for different charging options.

Tesla chargers

Tesla home chargers usually come in two main types: the first level for continuous charging and the second level for faster charging.

A standard first level charger can be plugged into any outlet without worrying about a circuit breaker. The usual 12 amps of power is enough to charge a car. But overnight charging will last about 40 miles (about 4-5 miles per hour of charging).

If you need more charge, you will need to charge in public places or at work, use a second level charger in slow mode, or find a suitable second level charger at home. The second level slow charger can be powered by a 30 amp plug, allowing charging at 24 amps. But the second level will allow you to charge your Tesla for driving it over 100 miles.

If a level two home charger suits you better, you will need to make some modifications and use a larger breaker to handle the higher current. I'll tell you exactly what you need to do.

Arranging a second level charger

While a second level charger is more efficient than a first level charger in a home charging solution, a new main service panel may be required if it cannot handle a 50 amp circuit.

The main circuit breaker in homes is usually rated at 100 amps. The Tesla Level 200 charger will require a 50 amp main panel. So if you don't have it, you'll have to update it first so it can work with more power-hungry devices. You will then need to run a 40 amp line (or a minimum of XNUMX amps) to the charging point, which is the usual setup.

If you already have a 200 amp or higher panel, all you need to do is set up a dedicated 50 amp circuit (which will allow you to charge at 40 amps and will require six gauge copper cable).

Breakers for faster charging

A 240V outlet, with or without a Tesla wall jack, can provide even faster charging, but would require a higher rated circuit breaker.

If you can install a 240V outlet, you can significantly increase your charging speed compared to a level 1 and slow level 2 charger. You will need a 50-60 amp switch on a dedicated circuit with thicker 6 gauge cable.

The Tesla wall connector is worth getting if you can afford it for a more economical yet faster charge. You can use it on any size circuit from 15 to 100 amps, but it is most commonly used on a 220VAC circuit with a circuit breaker of at least 60 amps.

F.A.Q.

Other related things you might want to know:

Do I need to buy a second level charger if I want to use it?

No. The second level charger is already built into the car. It only comes with a mobile connector, which is a level 1 connector.

Can I charge my car even faster than with a Level 2 charger?

Of course, you can use a level 3 blower on the tracks, but you will need to organize a 3-phase 480V power supply. It can be fully charged in minutes, not hours (up to 200 miles in 15 minutes), but the charging station alone will cost around $20,000. The 2 level charger is the most common and ideal option for most homeowners.

Do all Tesla models charge at the same rate?

No. There are some variations. For example, when charging at 240V with a 50 amp switch, Model X will charge at 25 miles per hour, Model S at 29 miles, and Model 3 at 37 miles. Using a Tesla Wall Charger on the same circuit, Model X will charge at 30 miles per hour, Model S at 34 miles, and Model 3 at 44 miles.

Typically a 3 amp breaker is used to charge the 40-RWD Tesla model, while a 3 amp breaker is used on X, S, Y and 60-Performance/Long-Range models.

Reference table

Use the reference chart for a general guide on what switch size to expect for a particular home charging setup.

Summing up

The correct size circuit breaker you will need for your Tesla charger depends on the current draw needed for the different charging methods and your Tesla model.

You can charge it with the included Level 20 mobile plug on a regular 40 amp circuit breaker, but this will only allow you to travel no more than 50 miles. We have shown a number of options for faster charging using a Level 60 charger and a Tesla wall jack, but these will draw more current and therefore require a higher rated breaker. A XNUMX amp switch is standard without a wall plug, and at least XNUMX amps if you use one.

Use the chart above to find out which switch size to use.