A Rockingham home with coastal grade hardware protecting the charger from the salt wind.
Rockingham · 6168

EV charger installation in Rockingham.

Coastal exposure, long commutes north, and installs that need to survive salt wind for a decade.

The install

What a Rockingham install actually looks like

Rockingham covers a lot of ground, from older beachside cottages near the foreshore to newer estates spreading inland. Two things stay constant. The salt exposure near the water is serious, and the driving distances are longer than most of Perth.

For anything within a kilometre of the coast we spec sealed IP65 rated chargers and marine grade stainless fixings throughout. Standard hardware here pits within a couple of summers. It is a small cost difference at install and a large one when a corroded gland lets water into a live enclosure.

Wherever possible we mount under a carport or eave rather than on an exposed western wall. Shelter from direct wind driven salt adds years to the unit for free.

Sealed enclosure and stainless fixings. On this coast that choice is the whole difference in longevity.
Sealed enclosure and stainless fixings. On this coast that choice is the whole difference in longevity.
Rockingham foreshore. Beautiful, and hard on anything electrical that is not rated for it.
Rockingham foreshore. Beautiful, and hard on anything electrical that is not rated for it.

Solar first

Long commutes make solar charging worth more here

Rockingham households often clock high weekly kilometres, which means more energy through the charger and a bigger gap between charging on solar and charging on peak grid rates.

The newer inland estates have excellent unshaded roofs. If the car is home during the day at all, even a couple of days a week, diverting surplus into it changes the annual number meaningfully.

Recent install

A recent Rockingham install

Location
Near Safety Bay Road, Rockingham 6168
The home
1990s brick and tile, 6.6kW solar, single phase, carport on the western side of the house.
The charger
Tesla Wall Connector Gen 3 under the carport roof with a marine grade isolator alongside.
Outcome
Stainless fixings throughout. Twelve metre run in UV conduit. New RCBO at the board. Half day on site.
Tesla Wall Connector under a Rockingham carport, sheltered from direct onshore wind.
Tesla Wall Connector under a Rockingham carport, sheltered from direct onshore wind.
Local considerations

What to know before install day in Rockingham

  • Within about a kilometre of the water, coastal grade hardware is not optional if you want the install to last.
  • Sheltered mounting positions beat exposed walls every time on this coast. Plan around shelter first, cable length second.
  • Older beachside homes sometimes still have overhead service lines and undersized sub mains that need attention first.
FAQ

Rockingham EV charging questions

Do I really need coastal grade fittings?+

If you are near the water, yes. The premium is modest and it is the difference between a unit that still looks new in five years and one that is corroding at year two.

Can the charger sit outside uncovered?+

It can, with the right IP rating, but we always recommend a sheltered position under an eave or carport. It costs nothing and adds years.

Is 7kW enough for a long commute?+

Yes. Overnight at 7kW adds well over 300km, which covers even a heavy Rockingham to city driving pattern.

Perth FAQ

EV charger installation in Perth, answered

The questions we get asked most by WA homeowners, answered by the electricians who do the work.

Does Western Power need to be notified about my EV charger?+

For a standard single phase 7kW charger on an existing supply, no separate application is usually needed. Your electrician still lodges the required notice of completion with Building and Energy WA. If the install needs a bigger main switch, a service upgrade, or a move to three phase, that does go to Western Power first and it adds time to the job, so we check it before quoting.

Is single phase or three phase more common in Perth homes?+

Most Perth houses are single phase, which caps a home charger at about 7.4kW. Newer estates in areas like Ellenbrook, Baldivis and Canning Vale are more likely to have three phase already at the board, and a lot of older knock down rebuilds get it too. Lift the switchboard cover and count the incoming actives, or send us a photo and we will tell you.

Which Synergy plan is best once I have a home charger?+

Synergy runs time of use options aimed at EV owners with a cheap overnight window and a cheaper midday window built around WA's solar surplus. Charging in those windows rather than the evening peak is where the real savings sit. Check current rates on Synergy's site before switching, because the windows and prices change.

Should I charge from my solar instead of the grid in Perth?+

Usually yes. WA feed in tariffs are low, so exporting midday solar earns you very little while grid power costs several times more. A solar aware charger such as a myenergi Zappi or Fronius Wattpilot watches your export at the switchboard and pushes surplus into the car instead of sending it out for a few cents.

Do coastal Perth suburbs need a different charger?+

If you are in the salt spray zone near the coast from Mullaloo through Scarborough, Cottesloe and Fremantle, outdoor units cop corrosion. We fit chargers rated IP65 or better, use stainless or marine grade fixings, and where possible mount the unit inside the garage with only the tethered lead exposed.

What about summer heat and charger derating?+

Perth summers regularly sit over 40C, and a charger baking in full afternoon sun can throttle its output to protect itself. West and north facing walls are the worst spots. We site the unit in shade or under eaves where we can, which keeps it charging at full rate and extends the life of the electronics.

Can I get a charger installed in a Perth apartment or strata complex?+

Yes, but it is a different job to a house. You need strata approval, a metering plan so the electricity bills back to your lot rather than common property, and often a load managed charger so the building's supply is not overloaded. We put that documentation together for the strata council as part of the quote.

How does a limestone driveway or brick paving affect the cable run?+

Plenty of Perth homes have the switchboard on one side and the parking on the other, with paving or limestone in between. Where we can, we run the cable through the roof space or along the eaves to avoid lifting anything. When trenching is unavoidable we lift and relay pavers rather than cut them, and that extra work is priced up front, not added later.

Are there WA rebates for home EV chargers?+

WA does not currently run a state rebate on home charger installs. The EV rebate scheme that ran on vehicle purchases has closed. The saving comes from the tariff side instead: charging off peak or straight off your own solar. We will not quote a rebate that does not exist.

Who is legally allowed to install an EV charger in Perth?+

A licensed WA electrical contractor. The circuit has to be dedicated, protected by the correct RCD type for the charger, and wired to AS/NZS 3000 with the EV specific requirements of AS/NZS 3012 and the manufacturer's instructions. Candela is licensed under EC# 15317 and fully insured, and you get the compliance paperwork on completion.

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