EV charger parts list by setup
Short answer: The breaker must be at least 125% of the charger's continuous current (NEC 625.41), and the wire must carry that breaker's rating under NEC Table 310.16. Pick your setup below for the exact breaker, wire, outlet and conduit.
Last updated:
| Setup | Charger draws | Breaker | Power at 240 V | At 208 V | Added in 8 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, 120 V | 12 A or 16 A | 15 A or 20 A | 1.3 kW (5-15) / 1.7 kW (5-20) | n/a (120 V) | 10.4 kWh / 13.6 kWh |
| 32 A hardwired | 32 A | 40 A two-pole | 7.6 kW | 6.7 kW | 60.8 kWh |
| 40 A plug-in, 14-50 | 40 A | 50 A two-pole | 9.6 kW | 8.3 kW | 76.8 kWh |
| 48 A hardwired | 48 A | 60 A two-pole | 11.5 kW | 10.0 kW | 92 kWh |
Copper wire ampacity used on these pages
| Copper size | 60°C (NM-B cable) | 75°C (THHN/THWN) | 90°C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 15 A | 20 A | 25 A |
| 12 AWG | 20 A | 25 A | 30 A |
| 10 AWG | 30 A | 35 A | 40 A |
| 8 AWG | 40 A | 50 A | 55 A |
| 6 AWG | 55 A | 65 A | 75 A |
| 4 AWG | 70 A | 85 A | 95 A |
14, 12 and 10 AWG are capped at 15 A, 20 A and 30 A of overcurrent protection by NEC 240.4(D). NM-B cable must use the 60°C column (NEC 334.80). Any EV charger above 16 A or 120 V needs its own branch circuit (NEC 625.40).
What these lists leave out
We don't list ground-wire sizes. Your electrician sizes the equipment ground from NEC Table 250.122 and local amendments. We also don't list brands or prices, and the links are plain links with no affiliate tags.
Have a licensed electrician check your panel, pull the permit and do the work. Local code can be stricter than the NEC edition cited here.
Sources: NEC Table 310.16 ampacities (nectables.com restatement); Mike Holt – Article 625 Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System (PDF); Mike Holt newsletter – 625.40 individual branch circuit; City of Saint Paul – 2023 NEC garage electrical checklist (PDF); Tesla – Gen 3 Wall Connector installation manual (PDF); ChargePoint – Home Flex: wire the circuit (accessed 2026-10-25).