Load curtailment, or load management, measures the house load and slows or pauses the charger before the main fuse is exceeded. It is the right tool when a 60 or 80 amp supply would otherwise need a network upgrade, or when two chargers must share a limit. It is not a software excuse for a cable that is too small. The charger circuit itself is still fully designed. The limit sits on top.
Check load curtailment for a home EV charger before you accept a price
You accept that the car may charge more slowly while the shower runs. For most overnight charging that is painless.
The price effect of load curtailment for a home EV charger
It can be far cheaper than a three-phase upgrade. It is a poor bargain if the clamp is never fitted and you discover the limit only as a nuisance trip.
A miss that shows up later: load curtailment for a home EV charger
The mistake is two unmanaged chargers plus a curtailment sticker on the quote.
Write load curtailment for a home EV charger into the quote
The quote should state the cap in amps and the device that enforces it.
Load curtailment for a home EV charger
A CT clamp or meter is part of the system. If you also have a heat pump or an electric shower, mention both, because they are the peaks that should push the car down first.
- It protects the fuse, not a thin cable
- Overnight charging usually tolerates slowing down
- The sensor has to be installed
- Cheaper than a supply upgrade in many houses
Frequently asked questions
Will the car still be full?
If it has enough hours, yes. If you plug in for 40 minutes at peak time, maybe not.
Does it work with solar?
It can, if the same system is designed for both. Say you want both.
Is a smaller charger simpler?
A 3.6 kW charger avoids some limits and is slower forever. Curtailment keeps 7 kW when the house is quiet.
Who sets the number?
The installer, from the fuse and the other loads, conservatively.
Core buying guides
Start with these high-intent guides, then dig into the rest of the library.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide was written by the Local EV Installers Editorial Team. We compare official guidance, legislation and established consumer information, separate general information from project-specific advice, and show publication dates and sources. We do not accept installer accreditation claims at face value.