If you’re fitting an EV charger, surge protection isn’t optional anymore - it’s baked into the 18th Edition Amendment 2 of BS 7671. The regs make it clear: every new circuit requires an SPD unless a formal risk assessment says otherwise. And because EV charge points are usually outdoors and connected to sensitive electronics, the safe assumption is: fit surge protection.

Why EV Chargers Need Surge Protection

EV chargers are full of sensitive electronics - inverter stages, comms modules, load management software. A voltage spike from lightning or switching can fry them.

• 18th Edition A2 makes SPD provision mandatory for new circuits.
• Most EV installs don’t pass a risk assessment to omit SPDs.
• A failed charger means expensive call-backs and potential warranty headaches.

That’s why DNOs and inspection bodies expect to see an SPD included in the EV board. If you’re new to EV boards, start with our primer: What Is an EV Consumer Unit?

What Type of SPD to Install

For EV circuits, you’re typically looking at:

• Type 2 SPDs - the standard requirement for residential and light commercial installs.
• Single‑phase or three‑phase options - depending on the charger and supply.
• Combined kits - consumer units with RCBO + SPD pre‑fitted, saving site time.

⚡ Browse our Surge Protection Devices for standalone SPDs, or our EV Kits for pre‑wired surge‑ready boards. For wider context on multi‑phase setups, see: Do You Need a 3‑Phase SPD?

Where to Fit the SPD

The regs require the SPD to be installed as close as possible to the origin of the circuit. For EVs this normally means:

• Inside the EV‑ready consumer unit or connection unit.
• Tailored SPD enclosures for retrofits between meter and board.
• Keeping lead lengths short - <10m ideally - to stay compliant.

Example: our Meter Isolator with SPD sits neatly between meter tails and the charger board. For larger systems, see our placement guide: Where to Install Surge Protection on 3‑Phase.

SPD + RCBO/RCD Requirements

SPDs don’t work alone. An EV board should also include:

• Type A or Type B RCBOs/RCDs — to detect AC, pulsed DC, or smooth DC leakage depending on charger spec. Explore our RCBOs and RCDs.
• PEN fault protection — if the charger is on a PME system, a PME fault detection unit avoids the need for an earth rod. Related read: Do You Still Need an Earth Rod with PME?

Together, SPD + RCBO + PME protection = a board that passes inspection. Working with heat pumps too? See Heat Pump Surge Protection.

Products That Deliver

We stock a full range of EV surge solutions:

• EV Surge Unit – 100A Isolator + MCB + SPD - compact and 18th Edition‑ready.
• 4 Way EV Protection Unit – A Type RCBO + SPD - steel enclosure, pre‑wired.
• Single Module SPD – 20kA/40kA - for tight installs or retrofit boards.
• 3 Phase SPD Units - IP40/IP65 options for commercial EV hubs.

Final Word

So, what surge protection does an EV charger install need?

• Type 2 SPD is the baseline under Amendment 2.
• Include RCBO/RCD protection matched to the charger type.
• Add PME fault protection for PME earthing systems.

With SPDs built into modern EV‑ready kits, there’s no excuse to leave them out - and every reason to fit them first time.

Next step: Explore our EV Consumer Units & Kits and Surge Protection Devices to spec the right protection for your install.