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Why We Ask for 12 Months of Hydro Data Before Installing an EV Charger

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:40:50 GMT

Commonly Asked Questions - Answered

One of the first things we may ask for when planning an EV charger installation is 12 months of historical hydro usage. For many homeowners, that can sound like an unusual request. After all, if you already have a 100-amp or 200-amp electrical service, why do we need to know how much electricity you have actually been using?

The reason is simple: before adding a significant new electrical load such as an EV charger, we need to determine whether your existing electrical service has enough available capacity. For homes with a 100-amp service , we need to establish the existing demand on the service before determining how much additional EV charging load can safely be added.

In Ontario, this can generally be done using one of two methods:

- A residential load calculation based on the electrical equipment installed in the home

- The home’s recent historical electrical demand, using utility-supplied data from the most recent 12-month period

ESA specifically recognizes both approaches when determining the available capacity of a dwelling for EV charging.

Even homes with a 200-amp service may require further assessment in some situations.

As a precaution, if a home has several large electrical loads, a heavily populated panel, multiple electrical panels we may also review the home’s historical demand or complete a load calculation. Having a 200-amp service provides considerably more capacity than a 100-amp service, but it does not automatically mean that unlimited additional electrical loads can be added. Our goal is to understand how the home is actually using its electrical service before adding the sustained load of an EV charger.

What Information Are We Actually Asking For?

When we ask for 12 months of hydro data, we are not simply looking at your total electricity bill.

We are interested in your highest electrical demand during the most recent 12-month period .

The most useful information is hourly consumption data showing how much electricity the home used during each one-hour interval.

ESA’s guidance allows historical utility data from the most recent 12 months to be used to establish the dwelling’s existing peak demand.

For example, if your utility data shows that your highest one-hour usage during the year was significantly below the capacity of your electrical service, there may be enough room to add an EV charger without upgrading the service.

That can be very different from simply assuming that every home with a 100-amp service requires a 200-amp upgrade.

Why Hourly Data Matters

Monthly electricity usage does not tell us when that electricity was being used.

Two homes could consume the same amount of electricity over a month but have very different peak demands.

One home might use electricity fairly evenly throughout the day.

Another might have several large electrical loads operating at the same time, such as:

An electric range
Clothes dryer
Electric water heater
Air conditioning
Electric heating
Hot tub
Pool equipment
Other large appliances

The electrical service has to be sized for the amount of load that may occur at one time, not simply the total amount of electricity consumed over a month.

That is why hourly historical usage is much more useful than simply looking at the dollar amount on your hydro bill.

How Is Historical Demand Used?

ESA provides a method for determining peak demand from utility-supplied hourly data.

The highest one-hour energy reading from the most recent 12 months is used, and an additional factor is applied to account for possible variation within that hour. ESA’s published example uses 125% of the highest hourly value when determining the estimated peak demand.

The result gives us a much clearer picture of how heavily the existing electrical service has actually been used.

We can then compare that demand against the available capacity of the service and determine how much room may remain for additional loads such as EV charging. For homeowners, the important takeaway is:

We are not guessing how heavily your electrical service is being used. We are using actual historical information from the home whenever possible.

What If I Cannot Get 12 Months of Hydro Data?

That does not necessarily prevent an EV charger from being installed.

If suitable historical demand data is not available, we can perform a traditional residential load calculation using the requirements of Section 8 of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

This involves looking at the major electrical loads in the home and calculating the expected demand placed on the service.

Depending on the home, we would collect information about equipment such as:

Electric heating
Air conditioning or heat pumps
Electric range or wall ovens
Clothes dryers
Electric water heaters
Hot tubs
Pools
Saunas
Secondary suites
Large workshop equipment
Existing EV chargers
Other significant electrical loads

We also consider the size and configuration of the home and the rating of the existing electrical service.

The Code applies demand factors because it would be unusual for every electrical appliance in a home to operate at its maximum output at exactly the same time. The calculation allows us to estimate the realistic maximum demand on the service.

Historical Demand vs. a Load Calculation

Neither method is automatically better in every situation.

Historical demand tells us what the home has actually done during the last year .

A traditional load calculation estimates what the home could reasonably demand based on the equipment that is installed .

Historical data can be especially useful when a homeowner has a 100-amp service but relatively modest electrical demand.

For example, a home with:

Gas heating
Gas water heating
Gas cooking
No hot tub
No pool
Relatively few major electrical loads

may have considerable unused capacity even though the main service is only 100 amps.

On the other hand, a highly electrified home may already place much greater demand on the same size service.

That is why we assess the individual home instead of making a recommendation based only on the number printed on the main breaker.

What Happens If There Is Not Enough Capacity?

If the assessment shows that the home does not have enough available electrical capacity for the proposed charger, that does not automatically mean the only option is a 200-amp service upgrade.

Depending on the installation, there may be several options.

Reduce the EV Charger Output

Some EV chargers can be commissioned at a lower output.

A homeowner who does not need maximum charging speed may still be able to comfortably recharge their vehicle overnight while placing less demand on the electrical service.

Install an Energy Management System

An electric vehicle energy management system can monitor the home’s electrical demand and control the EV charger so that the service is not overloaded.

When the home is using less electricity, the charger can operate.

When household demand increases, the system can reduce or interrupt EV charging.

Under the current Ontario Electrical Safety Code, EV energy management systems are specifically recognized as a method of controlling EV charging demand.

Upgrade the Electrical Service

In some homes, a 100-to-200-amp service upgrade is the most practical long-term solution.

This may be especially worthwhile when the homeowner is also planning:

Additional EVs
Electric heating
Heat pumps
Induction cooking
Hot tubs
Pool equipment
Home additions
Battery storage
Other future electrification projects

The goal is to recommend the option that makes sense for both the current EV charger and the future needs of the home.

Why We Ask for This Before We Start the Job

We want to understand the electrical system before recommending equipment or pricing an installation.

If we know the service capacity and existing demand beforehand, we can give the homeowner a much more accurate picture of what the project may involve.

Depending on the result, the installation might require:

A standard EV branch circuit
A reduced charging rate
An energy management system
Additional electrical work
A service upgrade

Knowing this early helps avoid surprises once work has already started.

What Should You Send Us?

If you are considering an EV charger, the following information helps us assess the installation:

A clear picture of your electrical panel
A picture of the main breaker rating
The make and model of the EV charger
Where the vehicle will be parked
The approximate route between the electrical panel and garage
12 months of hourly hydro usage, if available
Information about any major electrical equipment in the home

With that information, we can usually get a much better understanding of the installation before arriving on site.

EV Charger Installations in York and Durham Region

GO Electrical provides permitted residential EV charger installations throughout York and Durham Region.

We assess the existing electrical service, review historical demand where available and determine whether your home can support the proposed charger.

If the available capacity is limited, we can explain the options, including reduced charging output, load management or a service upgrade.

Send us a picture of your electrical panel and your 12 months of hydro usage, if available, and we can help determine what options may work for your home.

Wire Fishing for EV Chargers: How We Run #6 Armoured Cable Through Finished Homes

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:17:00 GMT

Commonly Asked Questions - Answered

Installing an EV charger is not always as simple as mounting a charger beside the electrical panel.

In many homes, the electrical panel is located in a finished basement, utility area or another part of the house while the vehicle is parked in an attached garage. That means the new EV circuit may need to travel through finished ceilings and walls before it ever reaches the garage.

This is where wire fishing becomes an important part of a professional EV-charger installation.

At GO Electrical, we regularly use these techniques to route our #6 copper armoured cable from the electrical panel to the garage while minimizing damage to finished areas of the home.

What Is Wire Fishing?

Wire fishing is the process of routing electrical cable through concealed spaces inside finished walls and ceilings.

Instead of removing large sections of drywall to expose the entire cable route, an electrician uses existing cavities and carefully selected access points to move the cable through the structure.

Depending on the home, this can involve working through:

Floor and ceiling joist spaces
Finished basement ceilings
Interior wall cavities
Bulkheads
Mechanical rooms
Utility spaces
Garage walls and ceilings
Small, strategically placed access openings

A good wire-fishing job starts before the cable is ever pulled. The electrician first has to understand how the home is constructed and determine the most practical route between the electrical panel and the charger location.

Why Wire Fishing Takes Experience

Once drywall is installed, much of the structure behind it is hidden.

The electrician needs to determine where joists, studs and other obstacles are likely to be located while also considering plumbing, ductwork, gas lines and other electrical wiring.

A route that appears simple from one side of a wall may have several obstacles behind it.

Experienced wire fishing involves planning:

Which direction the floor joists run
Where wall cavities line up with ceiling spaces
Where drilling can be performed safely
How the cable will enter the garage
How many bends will be required
Whether the cable can physically pass through the proposed route
Where small access openings may be required
How to minimize disruption to the finished space

The goal is not simply to get the cable from Point A to Point B. It is to find a route that is safe, practical and as minimally invasive as possible.

Fishing #6 Armoured Cable Is Different

EV circuits present another challenge: the cable is considerably larger and heavier than the wiring commonly used for lighting or ordinary receptacle circuits.

For our EV-charger installations, GO Electrical uses #6 copper conductors as our standard , typically installed in armoured cable commonly referred to as BX when the installation is indoors.

The metal armour gives the conductors an additional layer of mechanical protection, but it also makes the cable heavier and more rigid.

Fishing this type of cable through a finished house can therefore require considerably more planning than fishing a small residential cable.

The route needs to accommodate the size and stiffness of the armoured cable while maintaining appropriate bends and preventing damage to the cable during installation.

This is one of the reasons experience with finished residential work matters when installing EV chargers.

From the Electrical Panel to the Garage

A common installation begins at an electrical panel located in a finished basement.

The charger may be mounted one or more rooms away in the attached garage.

Depending on the construction of the house, we may need to:

Determine the direction of the ceiling joists and identify a viable route.
Locate concealed cavities that allow us to move toward the garage.
Create small access points where necessary to drill or redirect the cable.
Fish the #6 armoured cable through the finished portion of the home.
Transition the circuit into the garage.
Continue the mechanically protected wiring method to the EV charger or EV-grade receptacle.

When done properly, much of the cable can often be concealed without opening an entire ceiling or wall.

Every house is different, however. Sometimes structural conditions, ductwork or other obstacles make additional access unavoidable. We explain those conditions before proceeding whenever possible.

Why We Use Armoured Cable for EV Installations

Armoured cable is part of our standard approach to EV-charger installations.

Many chargers are installed in garages or immediately outside the garage, where electrical wiring may be exposed to:

Vehicles
Tools
Shelving
Bicycles
Storage
Lawn and recreational equipment
Everyday bumps and impacts

The metal armour surrounding the cable provides an additional layer of mechanical protection.

For indoor portions of the installation, we commonly use #6 copper armoured cable.

When the wiring is installed outdoors, we typically transition to #6 TECK90 , which provides both mechanical protection and the appropriate rating for wet and outdoor environments when installed correctly.

Why We Standardize on #6 Copper

Not every EV charger is required to use #6 copper conductors.

Depending on the charger output, circuit rating, conductor type and installation conditions, other conductor sizes may be permitted.

At GO Electrical, however, we have chosen #6 copper as our standard for our EV charging circuits .

A 50-amp EV circuit places substantial sustained demand on the wiring. Rather than designing the circuit as close as possible to the minimum allowable conductor capacity, we prefer the additional capacity provided by #6 copper.

It also provides greater flexibility if the homeowner changes or upgrades their charging equipment in the future.

The goal is to install a circuit that does more than satisfy the immediate installation. We want the wiring system to be durable and suitable for the long-term demands of EV charging.

Clean Installation Is Part of the Job

Customers understandably focus on the charger they see mounted on the garage wall.

A large part of the work, however, may be happening elsewhere in the house.

Planning the route, fishing a large armoured cable through a finished basement, navigating structural obstacles and minimizing drywall damage can sometimes require more skill and time than mounting the charger itself.

For us, a professional installation means considering the entire path from the electrical panel to the vehicle.

That includes:

Proper service and load assessment
Correct conductor sizing
Mechanically protected wiring
Careful routing through finished areas
Proper cable and equipment installation
Torquing applicable electrical connections to the manufacturer's specifications
Permitting and inspection
Leaving the finished areas of the home as clean as reasonably possible

EV-Charger Installations in York and Durham Region

GO Electrical provides permitted EV-charger installations throughout York and Durham Region.

Whether your electrical panel is located directly beside your garage or on the opposite side of a finished basement, we can assess the available routes and explain how we would approach the installation before beginning the work.

If you are considering an EV charger, send us a picture of your electrical panel , the charger you plan to install and the area where you park.

We can help determine what is involved in getting power from your panel to your vehicle while keeping the installation as clean and practical as possible.

Can You Install an EV Charger on a 100-Amp Electrical Service?

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:11:29 GMT

Commonly Asked Questions - Answered

One of the most common questions we receive from electric-vehicle owners is:

“Can I install a Level 2 EV charger if my house only has a 100-amp electrical service?”

In many cases, the answer is yes.

Having a 100-amp service does not automatically mean that your home needs to be upgraded to 200 amps before an EV charger can be installed. The right solution depends on your home’s existing electrical load, the charging speed you need and how the charger will be controlled.

The First Step Is an Electrical Load Assessment

Before recommending a charger, we look at the electrical equipment already supplied by the home, including:

Electric heating
Air conditioning
Electric water heating
Stoves and dryers
Hot tubs, pools or other large loads
The size and condition of the electrical panel
The output required from the EV charger

Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority allows service capacity to be evaluated using prescribed load calculations and, under appropriate circumstances, demonstrated historical demand . This helps determine whether the existing service can safely accommodate EV charging or whether another solution is required.

Option 1: Install the Charger at a Lower Amperage

Not every driver needs the maximum output available from their charger.

A properly configured charger operating at 24 or 32 amps may still provide more than enough overnight charging for someone’s normal daily driving. The charger, breaker and wiring must all be selected and configured as one complete system.

Certain fixed-in-place EV chargers can be commissioned below their maximum rating. Under current Ontario requirements, the setting must be properly restricted and labelled—it is not simply a matter of the homeowner changing the amperage whenever they choose.

Option 2: Use an Energy Management System

An energy management system monitors the amount of electricity being used by the home and controls the EV charger accordingly.

When electrical demand is low, the vehicle can charge normally. When larger household loads are operating, the system can temporarily reduce or pause charging to prevent the home from exceeding its available capacity.

Where an approved energy management system monitors the consumer service and controls the EV charger, the EV charging load may not need to be included in the calculated service load in the usual manner. This can make it possible to install an EV charger without immediately upgrading a 100-amp service.

Option 3: Upgrade the Service to 200 Amps

Sometimes a service upgrade is still the most practical long-term solution.

A 200-amp service may be recommended when the home already has several large electrical loads or when the homeowner is planning future additions such as:

A second electric vehicle
Electric heating or a heat pump
A hot tub or pool
An induction range
A finished basement or home addition
Battery storage or other electrification projects

The goal should not be to sell every homeowner a service upgrade. It should be to assess the home properly and recommend the solution that makes sense for its current and future electrical needs.

Plug-In Charger or Hardwired Charger?

Level 2 chargers can be either hardwired directly into the electrical system or connected through a receptacle such as a NEMA 14-50 .

For cord-connected EV chargers, the ESA requires the receptacle to be protected by a 50-amp overcurrent device.

When installing a plug-in charger, we recommend using a heavy-duty receptacle specifically designed for EV charging. EV charging places a substantial load on the receptacle for several hours at a time. Manufacturers of EV-grade receptacles design them for this purpose, while ordinary 50-amp receptacles are specifically identified as unsuitable for EV charging.

In the installation featured in our video, we also used #6 copper armoured cable , commonly referred to as BX . The metal armour provides a durable wiring method for the exposed garage installation. Conductor size and wiring method are not identical for every charger; they must be selected based on the charger output, circuit rating, installation conditions, distance and manufacturer’s instructions.

Permits and Licensed Installation

EV chargers are large, continuous electrical loads. They should not be treated like ordinary household appliances.

In Ontario, EV-charger installations require an electrical notification or permit, and electrical work performed for hire must be completed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor. The charger must also carry an approved Canadian certification mark.

Do You Need to Upgrade Your 100-Amp Service?

Possibly—but not necessarily.

GO Electrical can assess your existing service, review the available charging options and explain whether your home is best suited for:

A standard Level 2 installation
A reduced-amperage charger
An energy management system
A 100-to-200-amp service upgrade

We provide EV-charger installations throughout York and Durham Region. Send us a picture of your electrical panel and a brief description of where you park, and we can help you determine the most practical next step.

Why EV-Grade Receptacles and Mechanically Protected Wiring Matter

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:02:11 GMT

Commonly Asked Questions - Answered

When installing a plug-in EV charger, it is easy to focus only on charging speed. However, the quality of the receptacle, wiring and electrical connections is just as important.

An EV charger can operate at a substantial electrical load for several hours at a time. That is why GO Electrical uses materials selected specifically for the demands of EV charging rather than treating the installation like an ordinary appliance receptacle.

In the installation shown in our video, we used a heavy-duty EV-grade receptacle and #6 copper armoured cable to create a durable charging connection inside the garage.

What Is an EV-Grade Receptacle?

Many plug-in Level 2 EV chargers connect to a 240-volt receptacle, commonly a NEMA 14-50R.

Although different 14-50 receptacles may have the same general shape and electrical rating, they are not necessarily built to the same standard of construction. Heavy-duty EV-grade receptacles are designed specifically for the extended charging periods and repeated plug insertions associated with electric vehicles.

Depending on the manufacturer, an EV-grade receptacle may include features such as:

Heavy-gauge copper contacts
Higher contact pressure
Reinforced construction
Heavy-duty mounting components
High-torque conductor terminals
Terminal designs that provide greater contact with the conductor

For example, Leviton describes its heavy-duty 14-50R as being designed specifically for plug-in EV charging, with heavy-gauge copper contacts and high-torque terminal connections. Hubbell similarly describes its EV receptacle as having industrial-grade construction and a clamping system intended to provide a secure conductor connection.

Why Does Receptacle Quality Matter?

EV charging is different from briefly operating many other household appliances.

A vehicle may charge continuously for several hours, placing sustained demand on the receptacle, plug and conductor connections. A poor or loose electrical connection creates resistance, and resistance produces heat.

A standard 50-amp receptacle has a high chance of failure, simply because it was not designed for the purpose of EV charging. That is why we prefer to install a product designed and approved for that application.

The receptacle must also be installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements. This includes using compatible conductor sizes, preparing the conductors correctly and tightening the terminals to the specified torque.

Using a premium receptacle cannot compensate for poor installation. The product and workmanship both matter.

What Is Mechanically Protected Wiring?

The wiring method also needs to suit the environment where the charger or receptacle will be installed.

Garages can expose wiring to:

Stored tools and equipment
Shelving and workbenches
Bicycles and recreational equipment
Vehicle movement
Accidental bumps and impacts
General wear from everyday use

For the installation featured in our video, we used #6 copper armoured cable. Electricians often refer to this type of cable as BX.

The metal armour surrounding the conductors adds a layer of physical protection and creates a clean, durable wiring method for an exposed garage installation. Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority requires EV charging equipment and associated wiring to be protected from mechanical damage where the location creates that risk. The appropriate method depends on the specific layout and installation environment.

Is #6 Armoured Cable Required for Every EV Charger?

Not in every case. Depending on the charger, conductor type and installation conditions, a smaller conductor may be permitted.

At GO Electrical, however, we choose to use #6 copper conductors for our EV charging circuits as our standard practice .

One reason is that EV charging is a sustained electrical load. On a 50-amp circuit, smaller conductor sizes can be operating close to the upper end of their permitted capacity depending on the wiring method and conductor rating. By using #6 copper, we provide additional capacity rather than designing the circuit as close as possible to the minimum requirement.

It also gives the homeowner more flexibility for the future. If charging equipment is replaced or upgraded later, having a more robust branch circuit already installed may reduce the amount of electrical work required.

We also use armoured cable for our EV installations whenever it is suitable for the location . EV chargers are commonly installed in garages or immediately outside of them, where wiring can be exposed to tools, shelving, vehicles, stored equipment and everyday impacts. The metal armour provides an additional layer of mechanical protection around the conductors.

For exterior installations, we typically use #6 TECK90 cable . TECK90 provides the mechanical protection we want while also being rated for wet and outdoor environments when installed appropriately.

This is not because every EV charger is required to use #6 armoured cable. It is a workmanship standard we have chosen for our installations because it provides a durable circuit, added mechanical protection and greater flexibility for future charging needs.

Receptacle and Breaker Requirements

For cord-connected EV chargers using either a NEMA 14-50R or 6-50R receptacle, the Electrical Safety Authority requires the receptacle to be protected by a 50-amp overcurrent device.

The receptacle, breaker, wiring and charger must be treated as one complete system. Installing a 50-amp receptacle does not automatically mean that every charger can operate at 50 amps. The charger must be configured according to the circuit rating, applicable electrical requirements and manufacturer’s instructions.

Plug-In or Hardwired EV Charger?

Both plug-in and hardwired EV chargers can be good options when installed correctly.

Benefits of a plug-in charger

A plug-in charger can be:

Easier to remove or replace
Convenient when moving homes
Compatible with certain portable charging units
Useful when the receptacle may serve a future approved purpose

Because the receptacle and plug add another connection point to the circuit, the quality of the receptacle and its installation are especially important.

Benefits of a hardwired charger

A hardwired charger:

Eliminates the receptacle and plug connection
Can provide a clean, permanent installation
May support higher charging outputs, depending on the equipment and circuit
Can be a practical choice when the charger will remain in place

The best option depends on the vehicle, charger, garage layout, electrical capacity and the homeowner’s future plans.

A Proper EV Installation Is More Than Just Adding an Outlet

An EV charger is a significant electrical load. A proper installation should include more than simply mounting a receptacle and connecting it to the panel.

Before beginning the work, GO Electrical reviews:

Your electrical service capacity
The condition and available space in your panel
The charger’s electrical requirements
The proposed cable route
The location of the charger or receptacle
The risk of physical damage
Your current and future charging needs

EV-charger installations in Ontario are subject to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, require an electrical notification and must use approved electrical equipment. Electrical work performed for hire must be completed through a Licensed Electrical Contractor.

EV-Charger Installations in York and Durham Region

GO Electrical provides permitted residential EV-charger installations throughout York and Durham Region.

Whether your installation requires a hardwired charger, an EV-grade receptacle, mechanically protected wiring, energy management or an electrical service upgrade, we will assess the home and explain the available options before recommending a solution.

Send us a picture of your electrical panel, the EV charger you plan to use and the location where you park. We can help you determine what may be required for a safe, durable and practical installation.

2023 Best EVs

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:28:16 GMT

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Keep your home in top shape with regular maintenance and professional care. A small leak can grow into a major problem if you don't take care of it quickly.

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Locations for your EV Charger

jakob.p.gross@gmail.com (Jakob Gross) — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:14:59 GMT

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