Frequently asked questions.
If your question isn't answered below, please ask our friendly chat AI as this has access to our entire knowledge base and will be able to provide an answer for you
How does Simpson & Partners protect my data differently from other brands?
We combine privacy-first design with banking-grade security. Unlike others, we don’t collect personal details, and all data is anonymised. Plus, we use encrypted connections and UK-based secure servers to keep your information safe, just like your online banking.
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What is the Locking Function?
The locking function (from your mobile) secures your charging cable in the charger socket, protecting against cable theft. How it works: The cable automatically locks into the charger when you're charging your car For untethered chargers, it also locks your cable in place when you're not charging, preventing theft if you leave it plugged in
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Will a 3-phase charger work on a single-phase supply?
Yes, the installer will just need to connect to one phase within the charger.
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How does S&P pricing compare to other chargers with similar features?
Our wall‑mounted untethered chargers start from £649 inc. VAT. We keep pricing transparent and straightforward. Our premium build quality and smart features come as standard, and you only pay for optional upgrades like signature colours, metal lids or wireless energy management. Cheaper alternatives often cut corners or add hidden costs later. Every S&P charger includes a 10‑year external enclosure warranty and a 5‑year electrical warranty. Because we manufacture and finish our chargers in‑house and sell directly, you get exceptional quality at a genuinely competitive price.
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What does Single-Phase mean?
Single-phase is the phrase given to describe the electrical power supply that comes from the national grid into your property. Single-phase power supply is the most common type of electricity supply in UK homes, about 85% of domestic properties use it. It means electricity flows through one live wire, protected by a single fuse (usually rated at 60, 80, or 100 amps). With a single-phase power supply, the maximum charging rate for an EV charger is typically 7.3kW, which is perfect for most home charging needs.
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If Octopus controls charging, will it always be off-peak?
Not necessarily. Octopus may charge your car at any time to optimise cost and carbon efficiency. Your bill will still reflect the lower smart charging rate.
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Can I get an installation quote before ordering?
If you wish to get an accurate quote, the answer is yes. Just select a local installer and enter your details to begin the survey process. A small selection of our trusted installers can be found here - https://simpson-partners.com/installers or contact us and we can recommend someone.
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What’s the difference between a Wired vs Wireless Energy Manager?
A Wired Energy Manager is a hard-wired kit that monitors your home’s power draw, so your charger knows when to throttle EV charging to avoid overloading your main supply. A wireless Energy Manager gives you the same load-balancing benefits, but communicates over wireless — handy if you want cleaner install and simpler cabling. Both options protect your home electrical system while optimising charging.
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Are your chargers compatible with all types of EVs?
Absolutely. Simpson & Partners chargers are engineered to support all EV models and PHEV. Tethered (Built-in Cable): Comes with a fixed Type 2 cable. Untethered (Socket): Features a universal socket, allowing you to use your own Type 1 or Type 2 charging cable, supporting older Type 1 vehicles as well as newer Type 2 cars.
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My charger was damaged by accident can you help?
Accidents happen, and when they do, we’re here to make the process as stress free as possible. If your charger has been damaged (for example, struck by a vehicle, hit during building work, or the cable has been driven off with), we can help. We’ll usually ask for a few photos so we can assess the damage and provide an accurate quote. Thanks to the charger’s modular design, most repairs are straightforward and cost-effective, as individual components can be replaced without replacing the whole unit. If the charger is more severely damaged, we also offer a return-to-base repair service. This allows us to replace or repair the required parts, update firmware, and carry out a full health check before sending the unit back to you. Whatever the situation, our goal is to get you back up and running quickly and affordably.
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Can your chargers be used indoors and outdoors?
Yes. Simpson & Partners EV chargers are fully weatherproof and robust, making them suitable for outdoor installations at homes and commercial car parks, as well as indoor settings like garages. Whether you need a charger exposed to the elements or protected indoors, our units are built to the same exacting engineering standards. Single or multi-port, we'll help bring your charging project in on time and within budget.
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Are your chargers future-proof?
Yes. We are deeply interested in technology and innovation in technology and always looking for ways to future proof our products. Simpson & Partners EV chargers are designed to be compatible with evolving EV technology, including different charging speeds, connectors and smart energy management. This ensuring your charger continues to meet your charging needs over time. Our chargers are repairable and upgradeable which is more than some other brands. This means in a few years, when you want your charger to have the latest firmware, you'll be able to purchase the latest circuit board and swap it out. Our Gen 1 chargers came out in 2022. Intelligent Octopus Go wasn't available as a tariff then. For these customers, we offer a Version 3 upgrade kit for £85, so they can swap out their old circuit board.
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What is the difference between single-phase and three-phase power?
Single-phase power is the standard electricity supply for most UK homes — around 85% of domestic properties use it. It delivers electricity through one live wire and is protected by a single fuse (typically rated at 60, 80, or 100 amps). With single-phase, the maximum charging rate for an EV charger is usually 7.3kW, which is ideal for overnight charging and suits most households. Three-phase power, on the other hand, is more common in commercial buildings or larger homes. It uses three live wires, allowing electricity to flow more efficiently and at higher capacity. If your property has a three-phase supply, you can install a charger capable of delivering up to 22kW —useful for larger battery EVs or homes with multiple electric vehicles needing faster turnaround. In short: • Single-phase = up to 7.3kW charging, standard for most homes • Three-phase = up to 22kW charging, suited for high-demand setups, commercial car parks, multi-dwelling residences.
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Are S&P chargers more compatible with renewable energy than other brands?
Yes. Our chargers are fully solar-compatible, letting you maximise your home energy and reduce costs. Many other chargers claim “green energy support,” but only S&P chargers integrate seamlessly with solar generation and smart tariffs, making your EV charging both efficient and environmentally friendly.
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What is Three-Phase Supply?
Three-phase power is term used for describing the amount of power going into a building from the national grid. It is more commonly found in commercial buildings or larger homes. It uses three live wires, allowing electricity to be delivered more efficiently and at a higher capacity than the more common single-phase power. If your property has a three-phase supply, this means that it supports up to 22kW charging. So if you install a 22kW charger, you’ll be able to send up to 22kW to your vehicle. Which can be useful for vehicles with larger on-board battery or busy households with 2 or more EVs. If your home has single phase power, then you'll be able to happily charge up to 7kw.
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What is the difference between the Home Basic and Home Plus?
The Basic comes with a plastic lid and the Home Plus has eco wood or metal lid options. The Plus comes with more front colours, options of wireless energy management and ethernet connection (rather than only wired energy management and wifi only), courtesy lights and the Charge Doctor. The Charge Doctor is a clever device that automatically detects faults and instantaneously fixes them without you even knowing about them.
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How long will the Accoya wood last?
We make our wood lids out of real wood Accoya. Accoya wood is a dimensionally stable, modified pine that undergoes a special acetylation process. It doesn’t warp, swell or shrink becuase small water molecules inside the wood are effectively replaced by acetic acid. ie it's 'pickled'. The result is real wood that doesn’t rot. We finish our lids in four beautiful translucent shades which allow the grain of the wood to shine through. Accoya wood is guaranteed not to rot in 50 years and is used by architects around the world of domestic and commercial buildings, window and doors, cladding and bridges.
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What’s the difference between wall-mounted and free-standing chargers?
Wall-mounted chargers attach to a suitable vertical wall (eg brick). The free-standing charger is an integrated pedestal model that has been designed for properties and driveways and car parking bays that don’t have a wall nearby to mount the charger on.
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Are Simpson & Partners chargers suitable for listed or historic buildings?
Homeowners that live in listed buildings (grade 1 or 2) or in conservation areas often chose our chargers due to their elegant design, discreet installation finish and customisable finishes. We are happy to help put together plans and image packs to present to your relevant authorities or heritage organisation panels to win their permission and gain approval. Our wall mount chargers are very small and slim. They come in metal (not plastic) with an option for wood lids and a carefully curated colour selection. Our integrated freestanding posts are also very discreet and help the charger blend seamlessly into environments where the final appearance is important.
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What about warranties and support compared to other brands?
We offer a 10-year enclosure and 5-year electronics warranty, supported by our UK team. Many competitors provide shorter warranties or rely on overseas support.
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Do the colours affect durability or performance?
Not at all. All our lids and finishes meet our high-quality standards. The choice of metal, wood or plastic is purely aesthetic, your charger will perform reliably whatever colour you pick. Our metal fronts are powder coated. Our lids are either anodised or made of sustainable Accoya wood with a no-rot guarantee for 50 years.
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How long does it take to charge my EV?
For most UK homes and electric vehicles, a full charge takes 6-8 hours overnight using a 7kW home charger. The exact time depends on your car's battery size and how much charge is left. For example, a typical 60kWh EV battery charging from empty to full at 7kW takes around 8-9 hours. Smart charging tip: Use our smart chargers with tariffs like Octopus Intelligent to automatically schedule charging during off-peak hours, saving money while your car charges overnight.
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What’s in the box?
Your charger arrives pre-assembled with the top and front colours you selected. Inside you’ll also find: *Your wired Energy Manager, usually located in the “Important Bits” box inside. *Quick Start Guide, including QR codes to download the Simpson & Partners app. *Serial Number & PIN card keep this safe, as it provides secure access to your charger and is required for setup, support and remote diagnostics.* Mounting template and standard fixings (if applicable). Note: If you ordered cable hooks, these are shipped in a separate box.
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Where is my charging data stored? Is it safe?
Yes. Your charge history is kept on high-security AWS servers, all located within the UK. We’ve applied the same rigorous standards used in internet banking to ensure your data is protected. If you're comparing us to other EV charger brands, it's worth asking them where your data goes.
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Can you help me compare different brands of home EV chargers based on durability and design?
We have created a page highlighting the benefits and differences of many market leading chargers https://simpson-partners.com/charger-comparison Design and appearance is obviously subjective. David and Mandy Simpson have spent a long time designing S&P chargers to be discreet, understated. Quiet luxury. Every curve, radius and angle has been considered.
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