Schneider Electric has launched Schneider Charge, a Level 2 residential EV charger rated at 11.5 kW/48A that adjusts its own output to fit a home’s existing electrical capacity. The hardwired unit is available now in the United States and Canada with a 25-foot cable and a choice of NACS (J3400) or J1772 connectors. The company positions Schneider Charge as a way to avoid the service and panel work that home charging installations often trigger, putting the cost of those upgrades at $2,000 to $6,500 or more depending on the house and the installation.
Highlights
- 11.5 kW/48A Level 2 output, available with J3400 (NACS) or J1772 connector options
- SmartAmp dynamic load management built into the charger, using included current transformers rather than a separate monitoring device or gateway
- UL 3141-certified system supporting load calculations where accepted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), plus OCPP 1.6 (Open Charge Point Protocol) compliance
- Hardwired design with a 25-foot cable; a plug-in version is scheduled for early 2027
How Does SmartAmp Manage Household Load?
SmartAmp is Schneider Electric’s dynamic load-management technology, and in Schneider Charge it monitors household electrical use in real time and automatically reduces charging speed when other appliances draw power. The company says the system uses included current transformers to track total household load and continues to adjust charging output even when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Integrating that function into the charger itself removes the separate monitoring hardware and gateway systems that dynamic load management typically requires, according to Schneider Electric. The company states that everything needed for load management ships in the package.
“As homeowners buy EVs and add high-power electric technologies, many are realizing their existing electrical systems were not built for that level of demand,” said Shawn Bonacorsi, Head of Electrification Solutions, Schneider Electric, North America Operations. “Schneider Charge helps remove that installation hurdle by enabling safe, reliable Level 2 charging within a home’s existing electrical capacity, making EV charging simpler and easier at home where most charging takes place.”
Specifications and Compliance
Schneider Charge carries the following stated capabilities:
- Charging output: 11.5 kW/48A Level 2
- Connectors: J3400 (NACS) or J1772
- Protocol: OCPP 1.6 compliance, which the company says supports future grid service programs
- Certification: UL 3141-certified system supporting load calculations, where accepted by the AHJ
- Installation format: hardwired, with a plug-in version to be introduced in early 2027
- Cable length: 25 feet
- App control: real-time charging monitoring, settings adjustment, and scheduling for lower-cost hours
Installation Path and Distribution
Schneider Charge pairs its built-in load management with installation support through Qmerit, a home EV charger installation and electrification services provider. Schneider Electric says the two companies together guide homeowners from charger selection through professional installation.
“For electricians and contractors, Schneider Charge is designed to make installation simpler and more efficient,” Bonacorsi said. “By building load management into the charger, we’re making home EV charging easier to install with less complexity and disruption for homeowners.”
The charger is sold through Schneider Electric authorized distributors, and homeowners can also buy it directly from the Schneider Electric Marketplace.
Where Schneider Charge Sits in the Portfolio
Schneider Charge extends a lineup that already includes Schneider Charge Pro, the company’s commercial Level 2 charger aimed at multi-unit dwellings, workplaces, fleets and destination charging. Both units are available through Schneider Electric’s authorized distributor network.
