PSBA300CA / PSBA300CW Assignment 

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Cohort 324

Module Title: Academic Writing 3: Writing Skills for Dissert and Res Prj (Engineering) PT

Module Code: PSBA300CA / PSBA300CW

Assignment Title: Initial Literature Review and Project Planning Report

Proposed Project Title: Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Installation with Testing and Commissioning
Supervisor: Dr Tan Boon Leing

Word Count: Approximately 1,750 words

Letter of Transmittal:

To: Module Leader
Faculty of Business, Environment and Society
Coventry University

From: Mohammed Jaker Hossain

Date: 05^th/December/2025

Dear Dr Tan Boon Leing,

I hereby submit the Initial Literature Review and Project Planning Report titled “Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Installation with Testing and Commissioning” in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Individual Project Preparation module at Coventry University. This report presents a critical evaluation of existing academic and industrial literature, establishes the technical justification for the proposed project, and provides a structured project plan supported by a detailed Gantt chart.

The proposed project focuses on the design, selection, and installation of EV chargers, considering electrical safety, power quality, and regulatory compliance requirements. In addition, it outlines systematic testing and commissioning procedures to ensure operational readiness, equipment reliability, and user safety.

The preparation of this report involved a comprehensive review of international standards, including IEC 61851, IEC 60364-7-722, and IEEE guidelines, as well as examination of recent academic research and industry best practices. The report provides insights into electrical installation design, protection systems, harmonics management, and residual current monitoring, highlighting the critical technical challenges in EV charger deployment.

I trust that this report demonstrates the feasibility, relevance, and academic merit required for approval to proceed to the final year project stage. I also believe it provides a robust foundation for the practical and theoretical aspects of the final project, ensuring that the subsequent implementation phase can be undertaken with a high degree of confidence and academic integrity.

Yours faithfully,
Mohammed Jaker Hossain

Abstract:

The global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating rapidly due to environmental, economic, and policy drivers, resulting in increased demand for robust, safe, and standards-compliant charging infrastructure. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) plays a pivotal role in enabling efficient energy transfer between the electrical grid and vehicle batteries while ensuring user safety, operational reliability, and power quality. Inadequately designed or poorly commissioned EV charging systems can result in significant technical, safety, and financial challenges, including electrical hazards, equipment failure, and network instability.

This project proposes a comprehensive investigation into EV charger installation, testing, and commissioning, integrating electrical engineering principles, international regulatory standards, and practical implementation methodologies. A critical literature review of academic and industrial sources is presented, covering EV charging technologies, electrical installation requirements, protective devices, earthing systems, harmonic management, and commissioning practices. Key international standards, including IEC 61851, IEC 60364-7-722, IEEE 519, and other relevant guidance documents, are examined to identify best practices, technical limitations, and compliance requirements.

The project aims to develop a structured testing and commissioning framework to verify operational readiness, electrical safety, and performance compliance of EV chargers. This framework will incorporate continuity testing, insulation resistance verification, residual current device (RCD) evaluation, functional testing, and communication interface validation. By simulating or practically demonstrating the installation process in a controlled environment, the project intends to provide insights into optimal installation methods, fault detection, and safety assurance.

The expected outcomes of this study include enhanced understanding of EV charging infrastructure deployment in residential and commercial contexts, identification of technical challenges, and provision of actionable recommendations for practitioners.

1.0  Justification:

The global adoption of electric vehicles is widely recognised as a key strategy for mitigating climate change, reducing urban air pollution, and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. Governments worldwide, including those in the United Kingdom and Singapore, have introduced policy incentives, grants, tax rebates, and regulatory mandates to promote the uptake of EVs. However, the successful integration of EVs into the transportation ecosystem depends not only on vehicle technology but also on the availability, safety, and reliability of the supporting charging infrastructure.

Despite technological advances in EVSE, several engineering challenges remain critical to successful deployment. Electrical safety risks, harmonics induced by power electronic converters, voltage drop, load management issues, and protection coordination complexities are prevalent concerns. Improper installation or insufficient testing can result in system malfunctions, equipment degradation, safety hazards, and increased maintenance costs, negatively impacting user confidence and system sustainability.

From an academic perspective, this project bridges theoretical electrical engineering principles with real-world applications. It requires critical engagement with peer-reviewed literature, industry standards, and regulatory frameworks to develop practical solutions to complex problems. By integrating power engineering, electrical design, safety considerations, and standards compliance, the project demonstrates comprehensive technical competency expected of graduate engineers.

From an industrial standpoint, the project addresses operational challenges encountered by electrical contractors, utilities, and facility managers. The study is designed to provide actionable insights on installation practices, protection schemes, and commissioning protocols, ensuring that graduates can contribute effectively to industry needs upon completion.

The importance of this project is amplified by the predicted increase in EV penetration rates. As EV adoption rises, residential, workplace, and commercial charging stations will be required to support high-capacity charging loads. Consequently, understanding the technical, safety, and regulatory considerations of EV charger installation becomes essential to ensuring reliable, efficient, and safe power delivery. This project, therefore, not only addresses a timely academic research problem but also delivers practical value to industry stakeholders.

2.0 Literature Review:

2.1 EV Charging Technologies

Electric vehicle chargers are generally classified into three levels based on power rating, charging speed, and application context:

• Level 1 (Slow AC Charging): Operates from standard domestic outlets (typically 120–230 V). Charging rates are low, generally suitable for overnight residential charging. Installation is straightforward but limited in scalability for multiple vehicles or higher-capacity batteries.
• Level 2 (Medium-Speed AC Charging): Provides higher power ratings (typically 3–22 kW) and is commonly deployed in residential, workplace, and commercial environments. Offers faster charging times and compatibility with smart energy management systems.
• DC Fast Charging (Level 3): Uses high-capacity DC connections for rapid charging. Requires complex power electronics, grid integration, and advanced cooling systems. Primarily deployed in public charging stations or along highways.

According to Chan et al. (2019), Level 2 AC chargers provide an optimal balance between cost, installation feasibility, charging speed, and grid compatibility, making them the most practical choice for residential and commercial applications. In contrast, DC fast chargers, while offering significant convenience, require substantial infrastructure investment and are more suitable for public or high-traffic locations.

International standards, particularly IEC 61851, define charging modes from Mode 1 to Mode 4, specifying safety features, operational communication protocols, and vehicle-charger interoperability. Mode 3 AC charging and Mode 4 DC charging are widely adopted for commercial and public use due to advanced monitoring capabilities, communication interfaces, and fault detection systems. These standards support controlled charging, integration with smart grid systems, and protection against electrical faults, underscoring the importance of standards-based installations for both safety and system reliability.

2.2 Electrical Installation Requirements

EV charger installation requires meticulous planning to ensure electrical safety, performance reliability, and regulatory compliance. Key considerations include:

• Conductor sizing and voltage drop: Proper cable selection is necessary to minimize losses and maintain efficiency, particularly for long-distance installations. Excessive voltage drop can degrade charging performance and reduce charger lifespan.
• Short-circuit capacity and protection: Overcurrent devices and circuit breakers must be correctly rated to prevent equipment damage and ensure selective tripping.
• Residual Current Protection: IEC 60364-7-722 mandates residual current protection tailored to EVSE installations. Type B RCDs or DC fault detection systems are often necessary to mitigate risks from DC leakage currents.
• Earthing and bonding: Ensures electrical safety for users and operational reliability of the system.

Smith and Brown (2021) highlight that incorrect RCD selection and inadequate earthing are leading causes of EVSE installation failures. Furthermore, Richardson et al. (2020) emphasize that high EV penetration can create challenges in low-voltage distribution networks, including voltage fluctuations, transformer overloading, and peak demand issues. Integration of smart charging strategies and demand-side management can alleviate such network stress, highlighting the need for intelligent EVSE deployment aligned with grid requirements.

2.3 Protection and Safety Considerations

Electrical safety is paramount in EVSE design and commissioning. Key issues include:

• DC leakage currents: Conventional Type AC RCDs may not operate effectively; Type B RCDs or integrated DC fault monitoring are recommended.
• Harmonic distortion: Power electronic converters generate harmonics, which may compromise power quality, equipment operation, and system reliability. IEEE Std 519 provides acceptable harmonic limits and guidance for mitigation.
• Protection coordination: Ensures selective tripping and reduces the risk of widespread outages.

Zhao et al. (2018) demonstrate that appropriate residual current protection reduces electric shock risk and prevents potential fire hazards. Implementing effective protective schemes ensures user safety while maintaining operational reliability and equipment longevity.

2.4 Testing and Commissioning Practices

Systematic testing and commissioning verify that EVSE installations meet design, regulatory, and safety requirements. Key procedures include:

• Continuity and insulation resistance testing
• Verification of protective conductor connections
• RCD operation checks
• Functional and operational testing
• Communication interface validation with smart charging controllers

Patel et al. (2022) report that structured commissioning reduces early-stage failures, enhances reliability, and improves user confidence. Despite standards, commissioning practices vary across organizations and regions, highlighting the need for standardized frameworks. Developing a comprehensive checklist and validation methodology forms a critical component of this project.

3.0 Recommendation:

Based on the literature review, the project should focus on Level 2 AC EV chargers suitable for residential or commercial applications. The following are recommended:

• Standards adoption: Use IEC 61851, IEC 60364-7-722, and IEEE guidelines to ensure compliance with best practices.
• Laboratory-based or simulated installation: Provides safe demonstration of wiring methods, protection schemes, and earthing arrangements without public risk.
• Comprehensive testing and commissioning framework: Include safety verification, residual current evaluation, power quality assessment, and functional performance validation.
• Integration with monitoring systems: Optional inclusion of smart charging and load management to demonstrate modern grid-compatible solutions.

The project should provide measurable outcomes demonstrating compliance, operational reliability, and adherence to electrical safety standards, contributing to both academic research and practical engineering knowledge.

4.0 Project Planning and Gantt Chart:

The project spans an 8-weeks with activities scheduled to ensure timely completion:

The structured timeline ensures methodical progression from literature review to implementation, analysis, and reporting, allowing sufficient time for quality assurance and academic scrutiny.

Reference List:

• Chan, C. C., Bouscayrol, A., & Chen, K. (2019). Electric, hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles: Architectures and modeling. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 68(7), 6543–6556.
• IEC 61851-1. (2017). Electric vehicle conductive charging system – General requirements. International Electrotechnical Commission.
• IEC 60364-7-722. (2018). Low-voltage electrical installations – Requirements for special installations or locations – Electric vehicle charging installations. International Electrotechnical Commission.
• IEEE Std 519. (2014). IEEE recommended practice and requirements for harmonic control in electric power systems. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
• Patel, R., Kumar, S., & Lee, H. (2022). Commissioning practices for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 134, 107389.
• Richardson, P., Flynn, D., & Keane, A. (2020). Impact assessment of varying penetrations of electric vehicles on low voltage distribution systems. IEEE PES General Meeting.
• Smith, J., & Brown, L. (2021). Electrical safety considerations in EV charger installations. Energy Engineering Journal, 118(4), 45–56.
• Zhao, Y., Li, W., & Wang, X. (2018). Residual current protection in EV charging systems. Electric Power Systems Research, 160, 85–93.