By Alvin Wong, CEO of Innovative Green Power Sdn. Bhd.
When it comes to EV home charging, most people focus on obvious specs—ampere ratings, cable thickness, or whether the charger is “smart.” But there’s a hidden phenomenon that plays a big role in performance, efficiency, and even safety: the coil effect.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is the Coil Effect?
The “coil effect” refers to the unintended electromagnetic behavior that happens when charging cables are coiled up tightly—especially long ones. When current flows through a coiled conductor, it creates a magnetic field, much like an inductor. This can have multiple consequences:
- Heat build-up: Tightly coiled cables can’t dissipate heat effectively.
- Magnetic interference: Coiling can introduce interference with nearby electronics or even affect the internal circuitry of the charger.
- Efficiency drop: In extreme cases, you could see voltage loss and reduced charging efficiency.
Why This Matters for Your EV Charger
In Malaysia’s hot and humid climate, heat is already an enemy of electrical systems. Adding extra heat from coiled charging cables can lead to:
- Premature wear on the insulation and connectors
- Tripping of MCBs or RCCBs due to false fault signals caused by thermal imbalance
- Potential fire risks if poorly ventilated
This is especially true for cheap or low-quality cables with thinner copper cores or inferior insulation.
Coiling Habits to Avoid
Many EV users coil their charging cable neatly when not in use—which is great for storage, but problematic when the cable remains coiled during charging.
Bad Habit:
Plug in the charger while the cable is still wound around a wall hook or reel.
Better Practice:
Always unwind the charging cable fully before plugging in. Lay it out loosely on the floor or hang it with wide loops that don’t stack tightly.
Our Recommendations at Innovative Green Power
At IGP, we’ve seen enough field cases to know that coil effect issues are not theoretical—they’re real. That’s why we:
- Use 6mm² full copper cables as standard in AC installations for better heat tolerance
- Recommend EV chargers with thermal protection and load monitoring
- Train our customers and installers on correct cable usage habits
- Offer thermal imaging inspections as part of our after-sales service to detect hotspots before they become hazards
Because we believe that quality is not just in the hardware—it’s in how you use it.
Final Thought: Small Habits, Big Safety
It’s the small things—like how you store or use your EV charging cable—that make a big difference over time. A safe charging experience doesn’t just depend on buying the best charger, but also on how you use it daily.
So the next time you plug in your EV at home, remember the coil effect.
Unwind that cable. Let it breathe.
Let our obsession with quality protect your safety.
Because when it comes to EV charging and electrical systems, there’s no room for compromise.
