For those of you that are trying to get a quick idea about their total approved electrical load for their home (as viewed by the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)), here's an online load calculator[1] that also references the code sections that apply (please note this is based on 2012 code, not the current 2015 code). You will need to know how much power ("Wattage") your various "appliances" use -- if in doubt, multiply the breaker rating (e.g. 40A) by the voltage of the breaker (either 120V or 240V for most in Canada) to get the maximum "Wattage" for the circuit the appliance is on.
Please note that circuit load is usually limited to 80% of the breaker rating, and that applies to the whole house as well. So for a typical 240V 100A home service, you are limited by the CEC to a load rating of 80A at 240V (e.g. 19200 Watts). The Model 3 maximum charging load using AC is 48A at 240V (11520 Watts), but requires a 60A circuit to supply that. Also, as previously stated by others, the EV charging circuit is classified as a continuous load (even if you only use it for 3-4 hours a night), hence why people have been saying that in general, you will need a 200A service to get approved for a high current charging circuit.
The 2015 Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) can be found (without spending any money to buy an official copy) by searching Google for "canadian electrical code part 1" (look for the PDF link on wildbillretail.com), or it can usually be found at a local library (usually available for in library use only). (I am intentionally not including a direct link as I'm not sure it's legit to publish the document, or if the site is really a site anyone wants to deal with, but it does have the PDF of the CEC...use at your discretion.)
See section 86 for EV charger information and section 8-200 for load calculations for homes.
Please also note that each province typically has additional layers/details/clarifications on top of the CEC that apply to those provinces. Consult with your local electrical safety authority; for Ontario, that's the ESA[2].
As to if the electrical safety inspector will ask for a load calculation during inspection or not, your mileage may vary.
The licensed professionals I consulted with in my area (Ottawa, Ontario) varied from doing the calculation (and finding I'm "on the edge for a 60A service for the car" with a 200A home service -- with natural gas for hot water, dryer and furnace -- have A/C and elec. stove, no other large loads) to not really being all that bothered (because "you're going to charge at night and you'll never really hit the 80% in practical usage").
Also, if you are doing the work yourself, you need to "pull" a permit within 48 hours of starting any electrical work and have 1 year to complete the work and get your final inspection.
Please note that I am not a licensed electrician, but have done some electrical work before and I have done lots of reading (about 3 weeks worth of reading and research) for my own install of my HPWC, which I will be getting inspected shortly (first I need to make sure I'm easily within the 90-day window required to apply for the rebate) -- just before arrival of my Model 3.
Disclaimer/Warning:
If you have trouble understanding the code, or aren't prepared to do lots of reading and learn about it, consult a licensed professional. Electrical work done incorrectly can be dangerous or fatal.
[1] Canadian Residential Electrical Service Size Calculator
[2] Home - EsaSafe
Please note that circuit load is usually limited to 80% of the breaker rating, and that applies to the whole house as well. So for a typical 240V 100A home service, you are limited by the CEC to a load rating of 80A at 240V (e.g. 19200 Watts). The Model 3 maximum charging load using AC is 48A at 240V (11520 Watts), but requires a 60A circuit to supply that. Also, as previously stated by others, the EV charging circuit is classified as a continuous load (even if you only use it for 3-4 hours a night), hence why people have been saying that in general, you will need a 200A service to get approved for a high current charging circuit.
The 2015 Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) can be found (without spending any money to buy an official copy) by searching Google for "canadian electrical code part 1" (look for the PDF link on wildbillretail.com), or it can usually be found at a local library (usually available for in library use only). (I am intentionally not including a direct link as I'm not sure it's legit to publish the document, or if the site is really a site anyone wants to deal with, but it does have the PDF of the CEC...use at your discretion.)
See section 86 for EV charger information and section 8-200 for load calculations for homes.
Please also note that each province typically has additional layers/details/clarifications on top of the CEC that apply to those provinces. Consult with your local electrical safety authority; for Ontario, that's the ESA[2].
As to if the electrical safety inspector will ask for a load calculation during inspection or not, your mileage may vary.
The licensed professionals I consulted with in my area (Ottawa, Ontario) varied from doing the calculation (and finding I'm "on the edge for a 60A service for the car" with a 200A home service -- with natural gas for hot water, dryer and furnace -- have A/C and elec. stove, no other large loads) to not really being all that bothered (because "you're going to charge at night and you'll never really hit the 80% in practical usage").
Also, if you are doing the work yourself, you need to "pull" a permit within 48 hours of starting any electrical work and have 1 year to complete the work and get your final inspection.
Please note that I am not a licensed electrician, but have done some electrical work before and I have done lots of reading (about 3 weeks worth of reading and research) for my own install of my HPWC, which I will be getting inspected shortly (first I need to make sure I'm easily within the 90-day window required to apply for the rebate) -- just before arrival of my Model 3.
Disclaimer/Warning:
If you have trouble understanding the code, or aren't prepared to do lots of reading and learn about it, consult a licensed professional. Electrical work done incorrectly can be dangerous or fatal.
[1] Canadian Residential Electrical Service Size Calculator
[2] Home - EsaSafe
