CUSTOMER EV CHARGER INSTALLATION STORIES

EV READY: A HOME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TRANSFORMED

Joe & Vanessa – The Customer’s Urgent Need

For Joe and Vanessa in SW Portland, the excitement of purchasing a new electric vehicle (EV) was quickly followed by a practical problem: where would they charge it?

They had already scheduled a vital full panel replacement for their home—an essential upgrade to address an aging, 40-year-old electrical system. On the morning the work was set to begin, they made a critical request: an estimate to install a Charge Point EV charger they had purchased in addition to their panel replacement. The ability to simply plug in their car at home every night was a top priority for making the transition to electric driving.

What Falcon Electric Found: Hidden Dangers and Code Violations

As full-service residential electricians, Falcon Electric was prepared for the panel replacement, after their deeper dive revealed several serious issues the homeowners were unaware of. The existing system was not just old; it was a significant safety hazard:

• Code-Violating Location: The main electric panel was illegally located inside a closet.
• Life Expectancy Passed: The panel was well past its 30-year lifespan.
• Illegal Wiring: Years of remodels and additions had resulted in dangerous, illegal wiring methods, including multiple conductors under the same lug (double-tapping) a major safety hazard that can cause arcing and a fire.
• System Overload: The panel was completely full, with circuits doubled up in the breakers, and there was no space for the new EV charger.
• Obsolete and Dangerous: The panel was an obsolete model, failing to meet modern safety standards and unable to properly handle the heavier amp draw of today’s modern appliances not to mention a new EV charger.

Safety, Capacity, and Convenience

Falcon Electric’s technician confirmed the EV charger could be seamlessly integrated into the install and the home owner approved the quote for the change order. Having the right parts on hand saved the day, preventing any need for a second trip.

The solution was comprehensive, addressing all code violations and future-proofing the home:

1. Code Correction: The main panel was safely relocated from the illegal closet spot to the exterior wall facing the carport.
2. Safety Upgrade: A brand new, state-of-the-art 150 amp panel was installed, meeting current safety standards and including extra spaces for all future electrical needs.
3. Dedicated Power: A new grounding and bonding system was installed, and all unnecessary components were deleted.
4. EV Charging Run: A dedicated conduit was run from the new panel, along the ceiling of the garage, and positioned at the front of the garage. This clever routing allows Joe and Vanessa to easily charge their customer-provided ChargePoint EV charger from both inside the garage and the driveway.
5. Seamless Execution: The electrician coordinated all required permits and city inspections, completing the entire complex upgrade; the full panel replacement and the new EV charger installation in a single visit.

Peace of Mind and Modern Convenience

The high-quality, expert service provided by Falcon Electric transformed a stressful and potentially dangerous situation into a source of relief and excitement.

Joe and Vanessa were profoundly relieved to know that their home was now safe, up to code. Furthermore, they were thrilled to be able to simply plug in their new electric vehicle every single night. The expertise of Falcon Electric not only solved their original need but also made their transition to electric driving convenient, reliable, and worry free.

EFFORTLESS CHARGING
HOW FALCON ELECTRIC EMPOWERED A NEW TESLA OWNER

Powering a Premium EV Lifestyle

In Beaverton, Oregon, a new Tesla owner named Alex was eager to embrace the convenience of charging his electric vehicle at home. He already owned the Tesla EV charging unit and knew he needed a dedicated 50-amp NEMA 14-50 outlet installed. For Alex, a reliable and efficient charging setup was critical; it was the essential final step to guarantee he could wake up every morning with a fully charged vehicle, eliminating the need for public charging stops. He simply needed a trusted expert to handle the electrical work.

Expertise That Guarantees Safety and Code Compliance

When the Falcon Electric technician arrived, the job was approached not just as an installation, but as a complete safety and compliance check, ensuring long-term reliability.

While the homeowner was focused on simply getting an outlet on the wall, the Falcon Electric expert conducted vital, professional due diligence that customers often overlook:

• Capacity Verification: The first crucial step was confirming that the home’s main electrical panel had the necessary 50-amps of spare capacity to handle the constant, high-power draw of an EV charger without risking an overload. Fortunately, the technician confirmed the panel had ample space, avoiding the need for a panel upgrade.
• Code Mandated Safety: The technician confirmed all requirements set by the National Electrical Code (NEC). This included ensuring the new dedicated circuit would have the proper overcurrent protection device (circuit breaker) installed and that nothing smaller than the required 6-gauge wire was used for the run, all of which was safely contained within protective conduit.
• This comprehensive approach ensured that the new circuit wouldn’t just work, but would operate safely and reliably for years, a level of security Alex didn’t even know he needed to ask for.

A Seamless and Code-Compliant Installation

Falcon Electric’s expertise ensured a swift and professional resolution. Following all NEC guidelines, the technician safely installed the dedicated 50-amp circuit, including the necessary conduit run, and connected it to the panel.

The technician also provided critical information about the NEMA 14-50 outlet itself: they are not designed for frequent plugging and unplugging. The customer was correctly informed to disconnect the load (stop charging) or turn off the circuit breaker before unplugging the charger to prevent damage to the new, high-value outlet.

With the new setup in place, Alex’s home was officially Tesla-ready.

Confidence and Unmatched Convenience

With the professional installation complete, Alex was left with more than just a functional outlet; he gained the confidence of knowing his high-power charging system was installed to the highest safety standards by an EV-specialized expert. He now enjoys a fully charged Tesla every morning, empowering his EV lifestyle with unmatched convenience and peace of mind, thanks to Falcon Electric.

HOME CHARGING SOLVED: PEACE OF MIND FOR
A NEW TESLA OWNER IN FOREST HEIGHTS

What the Customer Wanted

A Forest Heights family had recently invested in a Tesla, eager to join the electric revolution and reduce their environmental impact. They quickly discovered, however, that the reality of public charging was far from convenient. Relying on remote stations meant commutes, longer wait times than gasoline, and electricity costs that were only slightly cheaper than gasoline. The ultimate goal was to transition from inconvenient, expensive public charging to reliable, and cost-effective Level 2 home charging right in their own garage.

The Challenges

The family assumed their new NEMA 14-50 outlet installation would be straightforward, a simple wiring task. As a full-service electrical provider, Falcon Electric knew a safe installation required more than just wiring. We needed to confirm the existing system could safely handle the continuous load the Level 2 charger would demand.

Though their existing 200-amp electrical panel had enough physical space for the new breaker, simply having room is not enough. Falcon Electric’s expertise demanded we conduct a Load Calculation to ensure the new circuit would not overload the service when combined with their home’s total electrical usage.

The Solution

Falcon Electric’s certified electricians managed the entire process. First, we submitted and secured the required electrical permits from the local Portland authorities, ensuring the work would be fully documented.

Next, we performed the crucial load calculation, confirming that their modern 200-amp service had the necessary electrical capacity and headroom to comfortably support the dedicated circuit. This was followed by the safe installation of a commercial-grade NEMA 14-50 outlet and the dedicated wiring, run directly from the main panel to the garage.

The result was a professionally installed Tesla home charger, mounted to the wall and plugged securely into the new NEMA 14-50 outlet. This setup allows the family to charge their Tesla at a high Level 2 rate, achieving a full battery in approximately three to six hours.

The Result

The family immediately gained total control over their vehicle’s charging schedule and cost. They now wake up every morning to a fully charged car, eliminating the stress and the inconvenience of searching for public stations.

The tangible benefits were instant: significant time savings on a daily basis and charging power delivered reliably. Crucially, they felt relieved, knowing that the installation was not just functional but code-compliant. This dedication to thoroughness is reinforced by Falcon Electric’s long-standing expertise in EV charging installations, dating back to 2017, offering customers a time-tested expertise.

Moving Into A Mid-Century Home

When a family moved into their beautiful mid-century home, they were excited about its upgrades and charm. However, one critical component was absent: a contemporary electrical system capable of matching their requirements. To make their new home genuinely functional, they prioritized upgrading their electrical service.

The family contacted Falcon Electric to correct their electrical service. We examined the condition of their current electrical system and proposed boosting the electrical service from fewer than 100 amps, to a 100-amp electrical panel. This improvement would satisfy their existing needs.

Thinking ahead, the family mentioned their plans to purchase an electric vehicle in the coming year. With this in mind, we recommended they upgrade to 200-amp service now from PGE, this would accommodate the installation of an EV charger next year.

The electrical panel replacement was completed without any issues, and our team finished the other tasks needed to bring the home’s electrical system up to date with added capacity for their future EV. The family was relieved to have completed this crucial task, knowing that their home was now safer and capable of meeting all of their present and future electrical needs. This brought them a feeling of accomplishment and peace of mind knowing they had made a wise investment in their home’s infrastructure that will benefit them for years.

Approximately a year later, as planned, the family purchased a Volvo XC40 electric vehicle. Thanks to the foresight in upgrading their electrical service a year earlier, we were able to install a Chargepoint home charger at the front of their garage without any panel changes or upgrades.

The family was delighted with the results. Not only did they have a safe and capable electrical system for their daily needs, but they were also able to easily add the EV charger they needed for their new car.

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