Inverter not seeing charger

We have recently had a PodPoint EV charger installed. It has been connected directly to our smart meter. However, the invertor CT clamp is fitted in the consumer unit 'downstream' of the charger. The result is that the inverter only sees the charger load as 'exported energy'. Is it feasible to move the CT clamp from the consumer unit to the meter cupboard, so that is is 'upstream' of the charger, and so will see the charger load as part of the house load? Physically, the connection between the Giv Energy meter and the CT clamp would have to be extended, and taken outside to the electricity meter cupboard, but would there be any other problems caused? Would this have to be done by a GivEnergy installer?

Thanks for any advice.

Steve Morton

You can’t extend the Ct clamp wiring I believe as it would impact the accuracy of the reading.

What you might need is a LORA - a wireless connection to a remote CT.

Although personally I’d prefer to have the EV charger separate if/when I get one. I’d only want to charge the car off the grid overnight (solar is enough to cover the house needs), but guess everyone’s experiences/needs differ.

Steve8650 Physical distance? If only through a wall and a short distance I wouldn't have thought a problem. I can't remember the max CT cable distance.

When I had my PodPoint installed, the installer (EV Wales) stated their standard installation method was to divide the meter tails and fit an RCBO into the supply. I said this wasn't acceptable and I wanted the Podpoint wired to a spare circuit in my existing consumer unit, and that is what they did.

Provided that your consumer unit(s) comply with at least Edition 18 of the wiring regs (i.e. they are made of metal and contain at least 2 RCDs) and the RCD you use has DC protection (i.e. type A or better) and you have a spare way with a 40A mcb, then the best solution might be to have an electrician rewire the PodPoint to your consumer unit.

Thanks, everybody. The CT clamp seems to have quite a long lead, which is coiled up next to the export meter. I'll have a look and see if it is long enough to reach the electricity meter cupboard.
Rubikcube, PodPoint said the same to me, and as it was more convenient to wire the charger into the meter tails, I said go ahead - I didn't think about the PV systems CT clamp!] It was only when I first charged the car that I realised the invertor wasn't seeing the charging current, but was reporting it as exported power.
It isn't that big a deal, anyway, but over the last few weeks the PV panels have been producing a lot of power, most of which is being exported, and I'd rather use the excess power for the car. When the days get shorter I'll look at getting on a low cost overnight tariff, as TX200 suggests.

Belated update. I contacted my installer, Harvest Green Developments, and explained the problem. They sent an engineer round, who was able to extend the CT clamp cable to the meter box, and fit the CT clamp around the main input lead to
the meter. It all works as expected now, and HGD didn't even invoice me!
Thanks to everyone for their replies.

Steve8650 extend. ??

Using radio comms or just a longer wire?

Didn’t think extending it was recommended as it might impact the accuracy?

I might be wrong, but from memory…