Schneider Charge EV Home Charger Includes Load Balancing
Schneider Electric's new home EV charger includes hardware for dynamic load balancing, a feature that requires an extra purchase for Tesla's competing product.
Schneider Electric has launched a new smart Level 2 home EV charger for the U.S. And Canadian markets. The Schneider Charge, priced at $695, includes hardware for dynamic load balancing, a feature that allows it to use a home's available electrical capacity without overloading the system.
The unit can deliver up to 11.5 kilowatts of power at 48 amps. It comes with a choice of a NACS or J1772 connector and includes a 25-foot cable. A smartphone app is available for scheduling and managing charging sessions. For now, it is only available as a hardwired unit, though the company says a plug-in version is coming early next year.
Load Balancing Hardware Included
The key feature of the Schneider Charge is its bundled pair of current transformer (CT) clamps. These clamps enable dynamic load balancing. This means the device can monitor a home's total electricity use in real-time and automatically adjust its own power draw to stay within the main panel's safety limit.
For example, if a home's main breaker is rated for 200 amps and the house is using 160 amps, the EV charging station can deliver the remaining capacity to the car. If household usage drops to 100 amps, the unit can then use the extra available power to charge the vehicle faster. This is particularly useful for homes without a high-powered electrical service.
Comparison with Tesla's Wall Connector
The report contrasts the Schneider offering with Tesla's Wall Connector. To enable similar dynamic load balancing, Tesla's product requires an additional accessory called the Remote Meter, which costs $210. When combined with the $535 price of the Tesla Wall Connector itself, the total hardware cost reaches $745.
The Schneider Charge, at $695, undercuts this combined price by including the necessary hardware in a single box. Both products have a compact enclosure rated for indoor or outdoor installation and offer similar maximum power output.
| Feature | Schneider Charge | Tesla Wall Connector (with Load Balancing) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $695 | $745 ($535 + $210 Remote Meter) |
| Max Power Output | 11.5 kW / 48 amps | Comparable (report states similar output) |
| Load Balancing Hardware | Included (CT clamps) | Requires $210 Remote Meter add-on |
| Connector Options | NACS or J1772 | NACS |
| Installation | Hardwired (plug-in version coming) | Hardwired |
Installation Considerations
There is a trade-off in installation complexity. The CT clamps included with the Schneider Charge need to be hardwired directly to the device's main board. This requires running additional wires from the home's main electrical panel to the charging station location.
This setup is straightforward if the unit is installed near the main panel. It could become more challenging and costly if the two units are on opposite sides of a house or garage. In contrast, Tesla's optional Remote Meter communicates wirelessly with the Wall Connector, potentially simplifying installation in scenarios where the product is far from the electrical panel.
The report notes that if a homeowner does not require dynamic load balancing, Tesla's Wall Connector remains a competitive standalone option. Schneider's move bundles a premium feature that targets users with specific electrical capacity constraints.
