NEC Article 625: Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System

Article 625 (Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System) covers electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE): the chargers, cables, connectors and outlets that deliver power to electric vehicles. It sets the individual branch circuit rule, continuous-load sizing at 125 percent, GFCI protection for EVSE receptacles and the disconnecting-means rules.

Educational summary only. Verify against the officially adopted code and your AHJ before relying on it.

EV ChargingNEC 2023Canadian Electrical Code Equivalent: CEC Section 86

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Every EV charger installation must comply with Article 625 whether it is a simple 120-volt Level 1 cord-and-plug unit or a hardwired 240-volt Level 2 station in a commercial garage. The article establishes several critical rules. First, Section 625.40 requires EVSE rated more than 16 amps or 120 volts to be supplied by an individual branch circuit — you cannot share that circuit with other loads. An exception permits one branch circuit to supply more than one EVSE when the loads are managed by an energy management system under 625.42(A) or (B). Second, EV charging loads are treated as continuous loads, meaning the branch circuit and its overcurrent device must be rated at 125 percent of the maximum load. So a 40-amp EVSE needs a 50-amp breaker and conductors rated for at least 50 amps. Third, receptacles installed for the connection of EV charging must have GFCI protection per 625.54. Hardwired (direct-connected) EVSE does not use a receptacle and is not subject to 625.54 unless the manufacturer's instructions require GFCI protection. Fourth, under 625.43, EVSE rated more than 60 amperes needs a disconnecting means in a readily accessible location; where the disconnect is remote from the equipment, it must be lockable in the open position (110.25) and a plaque on the equipment must identify its location. EVSE with a power export (bidirectional) function must be listed and marked as suitable for that purpose (625.48).

When does NEC Article 625 apply?

  • Installing a Level 2 (240V) EV charger in a residential garage — need to size the dedicated circuit at 125% of the charger rating
  • Designing EV charging infrastructure for a commercial parking garage with multiple stations sharing a feeder through energy management
  • Adding an EV charger to an existing residential panel and need to verify the service has enough capacity
  • Determining whether a cord-and-plug installation or hardwired installation is appropriate for a particular EVSE
  • Answering exam questions about EV charging circuits
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What are the key points of NEC Article 625?

1625.40: EVSE rated over 16A or 120V must be supplied by an individual branch circuit — it cannot share the circuit with non-EV loads
2625.42: EV charging loads are continuous — size the branch circuit OCPD and conductors at 125% of the maximum load
3625.42(A)/(B): Multiple EVSEs may share a circuit when managed by a listed energy management system (EMS) that limits total load
4625.54: GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed for the connection of EV charging. Hardwired (direct-connected) EVSE is not subject to this requirement unless the manufacturer specifies it
5625.43: EVSE rated more than 60A needs a readily accessible disconnecting means; a remote disconnect must be lockable open, with a plaque on the equipment showing its location
6EVSE must be listed — you cannot build or install unlisted charging equipment
7Ventilation requirements per 625.52 apply to indoor installations where the vehicle manufacturer requires ventilation during charging
8625.48: EVSE with a power export (bidirectional) function must be listed and marked as suitable for that purpose

What mistakes come up with NEC Article 625?

Sizing the circuit at 100% of the EVSE load instead of 125% — EV charging is a continuous load and must be derated accordingly

Sharing a branch circuit between an EVSE and other loads like a garage door opener or lighting — 625.40 requires a dedicated circuit for units over 16A or 120V

Omitting GFCI protection on a cord-and-plug EVSE receptacle because the charger has built-in ground fault detection — 625.54 requires GFCI at the receptacle for cord-and-plug installations regardless of the charger's internal protection

Installing a non-listed (uncertified) EV charger purchased online — Article 625 requires listed EVSE

Forgetting the 625.43 disconnecting means on EVSE rated more than 60A — it must be readily accessible, and a remote one must be lockable with a plaque showing its location

Exam Tip

The key exam concept is continuous load treatment. If a question says a 40-amp EVSE is being installed, the branch circuit must be rated for 40 x 1.25 = 50 amps. That means a 50-amp breaker and conductors with at least 50-amp ampacity from Table 310.16. Also remember that 625.54 requires GFCI protection for receptacles installed for EV charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

While physically possible with an adapter, it is not code-compliant if the circuit is shared with a dryer. Section 625.40 requires an individual branch circuit for EVSE rated over 16A or 120V. You would need a dedicated circuit, and the receptacle must have GFCI protection per 625.54.

A cord-and-plug EVSE connects to a receptacle (like a NEMA 14-50) and can be unplugged and moved. A hardwired EVSE is permanently wired to the branch circuit and requires a separate disconnecting means. Both are treated as continuous loads at 125%, but the disconnect requirements differ — the plug serves as the disconnect for cord-and-plug units.

Yes, with load management. An exception to 625.40 permits one branch circuit to supply more than one EVSE when the loads are managed by an energy management system in accordance with 625.42(A) or (B).

Calculator for this section

EV Charger Calculator

Size the service, branch circuit and overcurrent protection for EV charging per NEC 625

Related Code Sections

NEC 240.4Protection of ConductorsNEC 310.16Ampacity of Insulated ConductorsNEC 220.82Optional Method for Dwelling Unit Load Calculations

Sources

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This is an educational summary, not the official code text. The NEC® is a registered trademark and copyright © National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The CEC is copyright © CSA Group. For official code text, visit nfpa.org or csagroup.org. SparkShift is not affiliated with NFPA or CSA Group.