To install a 240v outlet for Tesla charging, you can follow these steps-

Choose the ideal location.
Remove the drywall.
Install the outlet.
Install the wire through the wall.
Connect the wire to the outlet and the circuit breaker.
Test the outlet.
Finish up by putting the drywall back on the wall.

In the next parts, you will get to see the step-by-step process of how to install a 240v outlet for Tesla charging.

Table of Contents show

Key Takeaways

By the end of this article, you will learn-

How to install a 240v outlet for Tesla charging all by yourself
How much would it cost to install
Some tips on how to be safe while doing it.

240 Volt Outlet — From youtube channel of Everyday Home

How to Install 240V Outlet for Tesla Charging

Installing a 240v outlet for Tesla charging can seem very difficult, but in reality, it is straightforward. Going forward, we will be showing you the whole process of installing a 240v outlet in your garage, all by yourself.

Tools Needed

6-3 Wires, 6 is the gauge and 3 is the number of wires inside including the ground.
NEMA 14-50 or 14-30 outlets
Square D-2 pole breaker
Thermoplastic outlet box
Multimeter
Drill and a paddle bit
Tape measure
Knife
Pliers
Sandpaper
Drywall mud
Paint

Step One: Prepping The Wall

The first thing you need to do is to prep the wall in your garage or wherever you want to install the outlet. That’s because you will be pulling the wires through the wall. Here is how you do it-

Take the cover off of your circuit breaker. Make sure not to touch any of the wires inside the circuit breaker.
Find a suitable place to install the outlet. It’s recommended to install the outlet on the left side of the car in the parked position.
After selecting the suitable location, knock the wall around an already installed outlet to find the studs inside the wall. If the sound is solid after knocking, it might be the probable location of the stud.
You will also need to find the screws by using a magnet. To find the screws, take the magnet and stick it to the wall. If it sticks, then underneath the drywall, there is a screw. Mark all the places with the screws from the circuit breaker to the desired 240v outlet.
Use the drill to make holes in the wall where the screws are. Once you do, take out the screws.
Now, use a saw knife to cut around all the drilled holes in the drywall. Once you do, take out the drywall to reveal the inside of the wall.

Now, you are ready to put the wire through the wall.

Step Two: Install The Wire

In this step, you will be installing the thermoplastic outlet box and putting the wire through the wall and into the outlet box. Let’s look at the process-

Install the thermoplastic outlet box at the last stud of the wall, where you want to put the outlet.
You will need to drill holes again in all the studs. Make sure to drill all the holes parallelly. Also, avoid drilling through wires if they are attached to the stud.
Take the wire and put it through the holes that you just drilled. Keep the wire as straight as possible.
Take a knife and cut the plastic off to expose the wires inside. Do not cut too deep otherwise you can damage the wires.
Once you have a proper narrow cut over the plastic, bend it up and down and twist it. Then the plastic should come right off.
After taking the plastic off, you should find the twist together. You will need to separate them.
There should be four wires with different colors. For example, Red, Black, White, and Brown. The red and black wire is the positive 120 v each. The white wire is the common wire, and the brown wire is the ground.
Put all four wires inside the thermoplastic outlet box using the holes on the side of the box. It’s better to put the common one on the bottom, positive and negative wires on the sides, and the ground wire on top.

Now, the wire is ready to be installed into the outlet and the circuit breaker.

Step Three: Install The Outlet

Since the wire is ready, you can now set up the outlet and connect the wire to the circuit breaker. Here’s how you can set up the outlet-

Take the outlet and you should see that there are four screws to connect the wires. These screws are labeled X, Y, White, and G. The X and Y are for the positive, White is for the common, and G is for the ground.
Using a screwdriver, take the screws out so you can fit the wires in.
Take a knife to trim down the wires to expose the copper inside. Do not trim too much, about a quarter of an inch is enough. It’s better not to expose any coppers.
Connect the exposed copper wires to their allocated places. Make sure that the connection is tight so it doesn’t come off easily.
When you are done, pull the wire back and set up the plate. Then screw it down to the outlet box.

Step Four: Connect The Wires to The Circuit Breaker

Up until now, the steps were smooth and straightforward. Now, you will be working with the circuit breaker, which can be very dangerous.

Go to the circuit breaker, you will see there are some small circles all around the breakers. These are called pop-out holes, you can pop them out and put the wires through them.
Drill a hole through the first stud, which should be right beside the circuit breaker. The other end of the hole should be aligned with a pop-out hole.
Run the wire through the pop-out hole into the circuit breaker.
Again, take the plastic sheath off using a knife from the wire as you did before to expose the four wires that are inside. This time, reveal a good length of the wire.
Since the power is still on, make sure the wires do not touch anything inside the circuit breaker. Also, if you like, you can turn off the power before working the wires through the circuit breaker box. This is a much safer option.
Some houses have one circuit breaker and some have two. You will need to turn off the power from the main circuit breaker. Make sure to turn off all sorts of power in your house.
Get back to the circuit breaker you were working on. To make sure that the circuit breaker has absolutely no power, use the multimeter to measure the voltage.
To measure the voltage in the circuit breaker, set the multimeter to measure AC voltage. Then measure the voltage across the common terminal and the positive terminal.
Then do the same across the common terminal and the negative terminal. Again, measure the voltage across the positive and the negative terminal. If the voltage is 0 in all three cases, then it’s safe to work on the breaker.
On one side of the circuit breaker, there are ground terminals. The ground or the brown wire you pulled through needs to be connected to one of those ground terminals.
Expose the copper wires inside the brown wire by cutting off the plastic over it. Then connect it to the ground. Make sure to tighten the connection.
You will also see two inside bars, the common wire will need to be connected there. Connect the common wire just like you connected the ground.
Now, install the Square D-2 pole breaker in the circuit breaker. To install the pole breaker, slide the plastic notches in the circuit breaker and then snap the connectors down.
Now, connect the red and black wires just like you connected the previous two.

With these steps finished, the outlet is roughly ready to be used.

Step Five: Test The Outlet

Although the outlet and the circuit breaker are ready, you should put it to the test to see if it works. Here is how you can test them-

To test the outlet, turn the power back to the house.
First, check the outlet voltage with the breaker off.
Turn the breaker off and set the multimeter to measure AC voltage. Then measure the voltage across all the ports except the ground. The measured voltage should be 0 or something negligible.
Now turn the installed circuit breaker on then measure the voltage again. The voltage should be around 120 volts across the common and X or Y ports. The voltage across the X and the Y port should be around 240 v.
If the voltage level is correct then you have successfully installed a 240v outlet for Tesla charging.

Step Six: Finish Up

You have now successfully set up a 240v outlet for Tesla charging. But your garage is a mess. So, to complete the process, here is how you can restore it to its previous state-

Before you put the drywall back on, you need to cut a hole for the outlet you just installed.
Use a tape measure to measure the dimension of the outlet.
Cut a hole in the drywall of the same dimension as the outlet.
Now, you can put the drywall back in its place and use the screws to tighten it in place.
If there are cracks and discoloration of the paint, you can use drywall mud over them.
Wait for some time for the mud to dry, and use sandpaper to smooth it over. And use a dry cloth to clean up excess dust. You can then paint over it to give it a polished look like it used to have.

How Much Will It Cost You To Install a 240v Outlet for Tesla Charging?

If you install a DIY outlet, it will cost you around $300 – $500. If you hire an electrician, it may cost from $850 to $1650. Here’s a breakdown of the potential costs:

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Installation

Part Cost: $100 – $150
Tool Cost: $200 – $350 (if you don’t already have the necessary tools)
Total DIY Cost: $300 – $500

Professional Electrician Installation

Material Cost: $100-$150
Labor Cost: Up to $750 – $1500
Total Cost: $850 to $1650.

Note: The cost can vary based on factors like location, difficulty level, and specific requirements.

Some Safety Tips For Installing a 240v Outlet For Tesla Charging

Installing a 240V outlet for Tesla charging requires careful attention to safety to ensure that the process is done correctly. Here are some safety tips to consider:

Safety First: Since you will be working with electric equipment and other sharp objects like drills, knives, etc, you need to maintain utmost safety. Wear gloves, goggles, and safety boots. Also, handle such materials carefully.

Consult a Professional: If you are not sure about how to get this done or get confused at some point, call in an electrician. Electrical work can be dangerous and complex, and a professional will ensure it’s done safely and up to code.

Permits and Regulations: Check local regulations and obtain any necessary permits before beginning the installation. Regulations can vary depending on your location, and it’s important to adhere to them to ensure safety and legality.

Regular Inspections: After installation, periodically inspect the outlet, wiring, and connections for any signs of wear, damage, or overheating. Promptly address any issues that arise.

Check the Amp Rating: Make sure to get the amp rating of the circuit breakers. Go for at least 40 amp breakers or more, or it won’t charge your Tesla fast enough. Also, make sure it is compatible with your home’s electrical system.

FAQs

Do you need 240V to charge Tesla?

No, you do not necessarily need a 240V outlet to charge a Tesla. A 120V outlet can supply 2 to 3 miles of range per hour charged. This is suitable for overnight charging if you drive less than 30 to 40 miles per day.

How long does 240V charge Tesla?

A Tesla can be fully charged using a NEMA 14-50 plug and a 240V outlet in approximately 10 hours. The NEMA 14-50 plug provides a convenient and relatively fast charging option for Tesla vehicles, making it suitable for overnight charging.

How many amps for a 240V EV charger?

A typical level 2, 240-volt EV charger can deliver between 40 to 48 amps of charging current. This range of charging capacity allows for efficient and relatively fast recharging of electric vehicles.

Conclusion

Learning how to install a 240V outlet for Tesla charging by yourself can save you a lot of money in terms of labor costs. But if you are unsure about how to do it or feel unsafe about it, it’s better to have someone else do it.