Tesla Certified Installer of Level 1 & Level 2 chargers

Summarized Field Procedure Handbook

Why this summarized version of our Tesla Certified Installer Handbook?

As Tesla Certified Installer for Level 1 and Level 2 EV Chargers and Power Connectors, San Antonio electrician All Star Electric trains its apprentices and certified electricians thoroughly in the procedures recommended to install Tesla chargers, so that homeowners deciding to install an EV charger have the best possible experience from the date of purchase to the completion of the installation. 

A Tesla Certified Installer has the responsibility to represent the Tesla brand as well as the All Star Electric brand. Our installers are expected to always follow the professional behavior guidelines detailed in our field handbook.

As a means of information for our customers, we present here a summarized version of our Tesla Certified Installer’s Field Handbook used by all our certified and apprentice electricians when installing a Tesla Level 1 or Level 2 EV charger, and doing any electrical work in a customer’s home.

Tesla Certified Installer: Level 1 Charger Installation

1. Pre-Installation Assessment:

• 1.1 Site Evaluation: Evaluate the site to determine the best location for the charger based on proximity to the vehicle’s charging port. Consider the length of the charging cable and the accessibility of the charger.
• 1.2 Electrical System Evaluation: Inspect the home’s electrical system to ensure it can handle the additional load of the Level 1 charger. This typically requires a standard 120-volt outlet.

2. Installation Preparation:

• 2.1 Gather Materials: Ensure you have all necessary materials, including the Tesla Mobile Connector and a standard 120-volt outlet if one is not already available at the chosen location.
• 2.2 Safety Precautions: If installing a new outlet, turn off the main breaker to ensure safety while working on the electrical panel.

3. Outlet Installation (if necessary):

• 3.1 Run Wire: Run the appropriate gauge wire from the electrical panel to the charger location. This will typically be a 120-volt circuit, so it will require one hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.
• 3.2 Install Circuit Breaker: Install a new circuit breaker in the electrical panel and connect the hot wire. The circuit breaker should be rated for the current draw of the charger.
• 3.3 Install Outlet: Install a standard 120-volt outlet at the chosen location and connect the wires.

4. Charger Setup:

• 4.1 Plug In Charger: Plug the Tesla Mobile Connector into the 120-volt outlet.
• 4.2 Test Charger: Connect the charger to a Tesla vehicle and ensure it initiates a charge. Monitor the charging process to ensure there are no issues.

5. Post-Installation:

• 5.1 Clean Up: Clean up the work area, ensuring all tools and materials are accounted for.
• 5.2 Documentation: Document the installation, including any challenges encountered and how they were resolved. This will be useful for future installations and for any troubleshooting that may be needed later.

6. Safety and Compliance:

• 6.1 Safety First: Always prioritize safety. Ensure all work is performed in a safe manner, with appropriate personal protective equipment.
• 6.2 Code Compliance: Ensure all work complies with local electrical codes. This may require inspection by a local authority.

Tesla Certified Installer: Level 2 Charger Installation

1. Pre-Installation Assessment:

• 1.1 Site Evaluation: Evaluate the site to determine the best location for the charger based on proximity to the electrical panel and the vehicle’s charging port. Consider the length of the charging cable and the accessibility of the charger.
• 1.2 Electrical System Evaluation: Inspect the home’s electrical system to ensure it can handle the additional load of the Level 2 charger. This typically requires a 240-volt circuit and may require an upgrade to the home’s electrical panel.

2. Installation Preparation:

• 2.1 Gather Materials: Ensure you have all necessary materials, including the Tesla Wall Connector, electrical wire of the appropriate gauge, a circuit breaker, conduit, and mounting hardware.
• 2.2 Safety Precautions: Turn off the main breaker to ensure safety while working on the electrical panel.

3. Circuit Installation:

• 3.1 Run Conduit: Run conduit from the electrical panel to the location of the charger. This will protect the electrical wire.
• 3.2 Run Wire: Run the appropriate gauge wire through the conduit from the electrical panel to the charger location. This will typically be a 240-volt circuit, so it will require two hot wires, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.
• 3.3 Install Circuit Breaker: Install a new circuit breaker in the electrical panel and connect the hot wires. The circuit breaker should be rated for the current draw of the charger.

4. Charger Installation:

• 4.1 Mount Charger: Mount the Tesla Wall Connector at the chosen location. Ensure it is securely attached to the wall and within reach of the vehicle’s charging port.
• 4.2 Connect Wires: Connect the electrical wires to the Tesla Wall Connector as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This will typically involve connecting the two hot wires to the power terminals, the neutral wire to the neutral terminal, and the ground wire to the ground terminal.
• 4.3 Secure Connections: Ensure all connections are secure and that wires are neatly arranged and protected.

5. Testing and Commissioning:

• 5.1 Power On: Turn on the main breaker and the new circuit breaker. The Tesla Wall Connector should power on.
• 5.2 Test Charger: Connect the charger to a Tesla vehicle and ensure it initiates a charge. Monitor the charging process to ensure there are no issues.

6. Post-Installation:

• 6.1 Clean Up: Clean up the work area, ensuring all tools and materials are accounted for.
• 6.2 Documentation: Document the installation, including any challenges encountered and how they were resolved. This will be useful for future installations and for any troubleshooting that may be needed later.

7. Safety and Compliance:

• 7.1 Safety First: Always prioritize safety. Ensure all work is performed in a safe manner, with appropriate personal protective equipment.
• 7.2 Code Compliance: Ensure all work complies with local electrical codes. This may require inspection by a local authority.

Tesla Certified Installers’ Professional Behavior on Location

As a Tesla Certified Installer, you are not just doing a job: you also represent the electrical profession, and both Tesla and All Star Electric. Your professional behavior will have a big impact on our brand reputation and on the homeowner’s perception of your work.

Please follow these guidelines at all times.

1. Communication:

• 1.1 Clear and Concise: A Tesla Certified Installer strives to explain the work that will be done in a clear and understandable way. Avoid using too much technical jargon. If needed, explain in layman’s terms what the technical words mean.
• 1.2 Regular Updates: Keep the homeowner informed about the progress of the work. If there are any delays or issues, let them know as soon as possible, and let them know what you are doing to complete the work in the shortest time.
• 1.3 Listen: Pay attention to the homeowner’s concerns and questions. Make sure to address them adequately.

2. Respect:

• 2.1 Punctuality: As a Tesla Certified Installer, you value punctuality. Do everything possible to arrive on time for appointments. If you are running late, inform the homeowner by telephone as soon as possible. Inform your supervisor first.
• 2.2 Property: Treat the homeowner’s property with respect. Avoid causing unnecessary mess, and always clean up after the work is done. The rule is “as if you were never there”.
• 2.3 Privacy: Respect the homeowner’s privacy. Only access areas of the home that are necessary for the work. Ask permission to the owners before accessing any indoor area.

3. Professionalism:

• 3.1 Appearance: As a Tesla Certified installer, you are expected to dress appropriately and maintain a neat appearance. Always wear your All Star Electric uniform on the job, as well as the appropriate safety gear.
• 3.2 Behavior: Be polite and courteous at all times. Avoid inappropriate language or behavior. If a homeowner wants to enter into an argument, avoid responding beyond a reasonable statement of facts; if more communication is needed, gently and calmly offer the homeowner to discuss directly with your supervisor.
• 3.3 Competence: Demonstrate flawless competence and knowledge. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it is better to admit it and find out the answer than to guess. Call your supervisor or the All Star Electric Staff Training Supervisor to get the answer needed.

4. Safety:

• 4.1 Safety First: A Tesla Certified installer always prioritizes safety. This includes your safety, the safety of the homeowner, and the safety of the property. Wear your safety gear as appropriate. Establish a safe work zone, with the appropriate access restrictions to avoid pets and children to interfere with your work and/or touch any part of the installation you are working on. 
• 4.2 Explain Safety Procedures: Let the homeowner know about any safety procedures or precautions that are being taken. Ask with tact and courtesy that children and pets be removed and kept away from your work area.

5. Integrity:

• 5.1 Honesty: Be straightforward and accurate in your assessment of time if you are not completing an installation on time. Our presence in the home of our customers is accepted and tolerated as long as it does not become a burden. Informing accurately the homeowners and your supervisor of any delay (reason and expected length) is crucial.
• 5.2 Responsibility: Take responsibility for any mistakes or problems that occur during the work. Make efforts to correct them in a timely manner. If the problems are beyond your scope of knowledge, call your supervisor immediately to report on the situation.

About the Role of All Star Electric as Tesla Certified Installer

San Antonio electrician All Star Electric is extremely proud of being a Tesla Certified Installer. We deeply believe in Tesla’s mission, and we love the quality of their product. When we install an EV charger in a home, we want the homeowners to have the best possible experience and be able to charge their vehicle(s) safely and reliably. We make every effort to ensure our professional installers are committed to the smae level of quality service as Tesla.

If you are considering installing a Level 1 or Level 2 EV chargers, call us for an evaluation of the project and a quote with no commitment on your part. 

  

Additional Resources

Tesla Powerwall Installation
Data about Tesla Electric