The energy required for the operation of electric vehicles is sourced from electrical energy stored in their batteries. Charging these vehicles can be performed via portable EV chargers (EVSE), fixed Alternating Current (AC) fast chargers, or Direct Current (DC) fast chargers. These units operate using power supplied—either permanently or temporarily—from the building’s electrical network.

The Decree 40/2017 (XII. 4.) NGM regulates which buildings and equipment require electrical state inspections and at what frequency. Based on points 1.6 and 1.13.2.f of Annex 1 of the Decree, an Electrical Safety Inspection must be conducted upon the rental or change of ownership of a property, provided a valid qualification report (not older than 6 years) is not available. While the Decree grants exemptions from the 6-year periodic inspection in certain cases, the inspection is mandatory during a change of ownership or at the commencement of a lease. Furthermore, to protect high-value vehicles, building electrical systems, and to ensure safety during regular high-load usage, it is strongly recommended that owners have their EV chargers inspected regularly to rectify any faults before an accident occurs.

In accordance with Decree 40/2017 (XII. 4.) NGM, these inspections may only be carried out by a qualified Electrical Safety Inspector who also holds a Level 13 Fire Safety Qualification.

Since both AC and DC chargers communicate with the vehicle, specialized diagnostic instruments are required for their electrical verification. The instruments used for testing must hold a certificate of conformity with the EN 61557 standard. During the process, we inspect the charging cables and the equipment’s shock protection and fault protection devices. The measurements identify potential malfunctions, and the results are documented in an official Inspection Report, which certifies the safety of the equipment.

The inspection consists of the following steps:

• Examination of the integrity of the equipment enclosure.
• Inspection of cables, connectors, and control elements for damage.
• Testing the continuity of protective conductors.
• Measurement of voltage levels.
• Measurement of earth (grounding) resistance.
• Loop impedance measurements (L1-PE, L1-N, L2-PE, L2-N, L3-PE, L3-N).
• Verification of the adequacy of overcurrent protection devices.
• Instrumental testing of Type B Residual Current Devices (RCD).
• Inspection of Surge Protection Devices (SPD).
• Insulation resistance measurement on all conductors.
• Testing of CP (Control Pilot) and PP (Proximity Pilot) control signals.
• Functional testing.

Recommended Protective Devices for EV Chargers

Surges can appear on electrical networks as a secondary effect of lightning strikes, leading to the failure of electrical equipment. These surges can propagate within a 2-3 km radius of the strike zone and affect nearby properties. In Hungary, lightning is highly probable between April 30 and October 30, with secondary effects reaching a significant number of properties.

The switching of electrical loads also creates surges on the grid, which have similar damaging effects to lightning strikes. For instance, a large electric motor starting in a neighboring property can cause a surge that may damage a DC charger or the onboard charging controller of a vehicle connected to an AC charger.

The most effective protection against grid surges is the installation of Surge Protection Devices (SPD). SPDs also require regular inspection and maintenance. Today, functional surge protection is essential for operating EV chargers and Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, as the cost of installing an SPD is negligible compared to the price of the protected equipment. Protecting multi-million HUF vehicles, heat pumps, boilers, PV inverters, and smart home systems is indispensable.

Electric vehicles and solar systems also incorporate Direct Current (DC) modules. In the event of a fault, DC leakage can enter the network, to which traditional Type AC Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are completely insensitive, and Type A RCDs are only limitedly sensitive. For solar systems and EV chargers, Type B or B+ RCDs must be installed. If an unqualified contractor installs a Type AC RCD for an EV charger, a fault could leave persons touching the equipment in immediate life-threatening danger, as the device will not provide protection. The current MSZ HD 60364-7-722 standard mandates the use of a dedicated Type B RCD per charging point; deviation is only permitted by using a higher-safety Type B+ device.

AC and DC fault currents from solar systems and electric vehicles can create electrical arcs at loose connections or through damaged insulation. While AC power has a “zero-crossing” every 10ms (meaning the arc is extinguished every 10ms), DC power has no zero-crossing. Consequently, a DC arc will persist until the energy source is exhausted or the equipment burns down. DC energy storage systems and solar panels represent a serious fire safety risk to residents and surrounding property. To protect against such electrical arcs, the installation of Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDD) is highly recommended.

Summary of highly recommended safety devices:

• Surge Protection Device (SPD)
• Type B or B+ Residual Current Device (RCD)
• Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD)

Preparation for the Inspection

To facilitate the electrical safety inspection of the EV charger, the following documentation must be provided:

• The electrical single-line diagram of the building.
• The previous electrical safety inspection report.
• The installer’s declaration regarding compliant installation.
• The exact model type of the equipment and its CE conformity documentation.

Please note that during the inspection, it may be necessary to de-energize the electrical network. Therefore, all electrical consumers should be turned off and disconnected from the grid to prevent potential malfunctions caused by switching sequences.