EV Charger Installation According to AREI: The Complete Guide for Belgium

Installing an EV charger (wallbox) for electric vehicles in Belgium is subject to strict AREI/RGIE regulations. Article 7.22 of the AREI/RGIE governs the specific requirements for charging infrastructure. In this guide, we explain all regulations, cable requirements, and protective measures — so your installation is compliant and passes the electrical inspection.

AREI Requirements for EV Chargers (Art. 7.22)

The AREI/RGIE sets the following basic requirements for EV charger installations:

Dedicated Circuit

The EV charger must have its own dedicated circuit. It may not be connected to an existing circuit (e.g., sockets in the garage). This dedicated circuit must run directly from the distribution board to the charger.

Residual Current Device (RCD)

Each EV charger needs its own RCD (residual current device). The type of RCD depends on the charger (more on this below).

Circuit Breaker (MCB)

A properly sized circuit breaker (MCB) protects the charger circuit against overload and short circuit.

Surge Protection Device (SPD)

Art. 4.5.1 requires protection against overvoltages according to good professional practice. In practice, a central SPD is installed in the distribution board, protecting all circuits including the EV charger circuit against transient overvoltages caused by lightning strikes or switching operations in the grid.

Single-Phase vs. Three-Phase: Which Charger?

Single-Phase — 3.7 kW or 7.4 kW

Advantages of single-phase:

• Cheaper installation
• Simpler wiring
• Sufficient for most households (overnight charging)

Disadvantages of single-phase:

• Limited charging power
• At 7.4 kW: possible phase imbalance (watch out during registration)

Three-Phase — 11 kW or 22 kW

Advantages of three-phase:

• Significantly faster charging
• Balanced load distribution (no phase imbalance)
• Future-proof

Disadvantages of three-phase:

• More expensive installation
• Three-phase connection at distribution board required
• Higher material costs (thicker cables, more expensive protection devices)

Our Recommendation

For most single-family homes, we recommend an 11 kW three-phase EV charger. It offers the best compromise between charging power, cost, and future-proofing. An electric vehicle is fully charged overnight in 4-5 hours — sufficient for daily use.

Cable and Protection: Proper Sizing

Cable Cross-Section Overview

Important: For long cable runs (>15m), the cross-section may need to be increased to limit voltage drop (AREI Art. 5.2.5 — voltage drop; Art. 5.2.1.2b — cable selection). Plan the cable route in advance and consult voltage drop tables if in doubt.

Cable Type

In Belgium, XVB cable is typically used for fixed installations:

• XVB 3G2.5 for single-phase 16A
• XVB 3G6 for single-phase 32A
• XVB 5G2.5 for three-phase 16A
• XVB 5G6 for three-phase 32A

When installed in a Preflex conduit, individual VOB conductors (H07V-U) can be used, provided the conduit is adequately sized.

RCD Type: The Most Important Protection Device

Choosing the right RCD is particularly important for EV chargers — and can cause significant cost differences.

Type A + Integrated DC 6 mA Sensor (RDC-DD in the Charger)

Art. 7.22.4 requires Type B or equivalent. Type A alone is NOT sufficient — the charger must additionally have an integrated DC 6 mA sensor (Type A + RDC-DD in the charger). Most modern EV chargers (e.g., Wallbox Pulsar Plus, ABB Terra, Easee) have a built-in DC fault current sensor (6 mA DC). In this case, an RCD Type A (30 mA) is sufficient, as the charger itself provides DC protection.

Cost Type A: ~€30-50 (2-pole, single-phase) or ~€50-80 (4-pole, three-phase)

Type B (If No DC Sensor in the Charger)

If your charger does not have a built-in DC fault current sensor, you need an RCD Type B. This also detects DC fault currents that can occur with AC/DC chargers.

Cost Type B: ~€200-400

Tip: When purchasing your EV charger, ensure that a DC fault current sensor is integrated. This saves you €120-370 on the RCD (Type B ~€200-400 instead of Type A ~€30-80, depending on the number of poles)!

Type A-SI (Alternative)

Some manufacturers also offer RCD Type A-SI (selective, surge current resistant), which can be a good choice for EV chargers to avoid nuisance tripping from inrush currents.

Surge Protection (SPD) — Central for the Entire Installation

Art. 4.5.1 requires protection against overvoltages according to good professional practice. In practice, an SPD (surge protection device) is installed in the distribution board, protecting all connected devices including the EV charger against transient overvoltages. The AREI does not specify a concrete "Type 2" — that designation comes from the product standard (IEC 61643-11).

Cost SPD: ~€50-80

Important: The SPD must be protected with an upstream fuse (gR fuse or MCB). Follow the manufacturer's specifications.

Registration with the Grid Operator

In Belgium, EV charger installations above a certain power level must be registered with the relevant grid operator:

Registration Requirements (Vary by Grid Operator)

Thresholds vary by grid operator. Fluvius requires notification from 5 kVA (not kW — the difference matters when cos phi is not equal to 1). Thresholds at ORES/RESA and Sibelga may differ.

This means in practice:

• 3.7 kW single-phase: Generally no registration needed
• 7.4 kW single-phase: Registration required
• 11 kW three-phase: Registration required
• 22 kW three-phase: Registration required + possibly grid capacity check

How to Register?

Registration is done online through the portal of the respective grid operator:

• Fluvius: via Mijn Fluvius
• ORES: via the ORES customer portal
• Sibelga: via the Sibelga portal

Have the following information ready: EAN number of your meter, power rating of the charger, desired installation date.

Updating the Single-Line Diagram

After installing an EV charger, the single-line diagram of your electrical installation must be updated. The charger is shown as its own branch in the diagram:

What Must Be in the Diagram?

1. Dedicated circuit from the distribution board
2. RCD with type indication (A or B)
3. Circuit breaker with rated current
4. SPD (surge protection device)
5. EV charger symbol with power indication
6. Cable designation (e.g., XVB 5G2.5)
7. Phase assignment (for three-phase: L1/L2/L3)

PlanElec Makes It Easy

PlanElec has the EV charger symbol and associated validation already integrated:

• The charger symbol complies with the AREI standard
• Validation automatically checks: dedicated circuit, RCD protection, SPD obligation
• Phase assignment can be entered directly
• PDF export contains all required information

Example Installation with Cost Overview

Scenario: 11 kW Charger (Three-Phase), 10m Cable Run

Money-Saving Tip: Buy Materials Yourself

You can save considerably by purchasing the materials yourself and only having the electrician perform the installation. Ensure CE marking and buy from specialized electrical wholesalers (e.g., Rexel, Cebeo, Solar).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. No dedicated circuit: Connecting the charger to an existing socket is not only unsafe but violates the AREI.
2. Wrong RCD type: Without a DC sensor in the charger, an RCD Type B is mandatory.
3. Missing SPD: Surge protection is often forgotten — the inspector will flag it.
4. No updated single-line diagram: Every change to the installation must be documented in the diagram.
5. No grid operator registration: From approximately 5 kVA, registration is mandatory (exact threshold varies by grid operator).
6. Cable cross-section too small: Especially for long cable runs (>15m), watch the voltage drop.

Earthing note: A prerequisite for a safe EV charger installation: the entire earthing chain (earth electrode, main equipotential bonding, protective conductor) must be intact. For older installations without proper earthing, remediation is required.

Conclusion

Installing an EV charger in Belgium is entirely feasible but requires compliance with AREI/RGIE regulations under Article 7.22. The key points: dedicated circuit, correct RCD type, surge protection (Art. 4.5.1), and an updated single-line diagram. With careful planning and the right materials, you will pass the inspection without issues.

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Document Your EV Charger in the Single-Line Diagram

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