Connected Kerb Sunderland

HF’s Green Energy team has successfully completed a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure upgrade at a key car park in Sunderland. This project highlights our ability to not only install renewable technology but to re-engineer the complex electrical distribution systems required to support the growing demand for electric vehicle charging.

The Challenge

The project began with the decommissioning and removal of four legacy EV chargers that were no longer fit for purpose. To meet increasing local demand, the capacity needed to be expanded from four charging points to six, requiring a significant upgrade to the existing electrical supply and distribution network.

HF was tasked with the installation of 6 Dual 7kW Connected Kerb chargers, providing a total of 12 charging outlets. Unlike a standard “bolt-on” installation, our team undertook a full infrastructure overhaul to ensure the new system met the highest safety and performance standards.

Our scope of work included:

• Infrastructure Re-Engineering: Rewiring and replacing existing supply distributors to accommodate the increased load of the 6-charger network.
• Advanced Protection: The installation of a new distribution board specifically designed to allow for Double Pole Circuit Protection, providing a higher tier of safety for public-use equipment.
• Safety Upgrades: Integrating Surge Protection Devices (SPD) and RCBOs to protect the sensitive internal components of the chargers and the vehicles from electrical faults or spikes.
• Structural Integrity: Installation of new heavy-duty cable trays and specialized cabling to ensure the longevity of the installation in a busy public car park environment.

Technical Spotlight

In many standard EV installs, single-pole protection is used. However, for this Sunderland project, we prioritised safety by implementing double pole circuit protection. This ensures that in the event of a fault, both the Live and Neutral feeds are disconnected, providing total isolation. A vital safety feature for outdoor, public-facing electrical infrastructure.

The Result

The result is a robust, reliable, and user-friendly charging hub. By partnering with Connected Kerb, we have provided the client with a smart, data-driven charging solution that is built to last.

The additional capacity means more commuters and visitors to Sunderland can charge with confidence, while the upgraded “behind-the-wall” infrastructure ensures the local grid remains stable and the equipment remains protected from the elements and electrical surges.

A Multi-Disciplinary Success

This project required the specialised knowledge of our Green Energy division for the EV technology, combined with the core technical skills of our Electrical division to handle the complex distribution board and cabling requirements.