---
title: "What Is Level 1 charger? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "A Level 1 charger charges an electric vehicle from a standard 120 volt household outlet, using the portable cord that comes with many cars."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/level-1-charger
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Ev charging

# Level 1 charger

A Level 1 charger charges an electric vehicle from a standard 120 volt household outlet, using the portable cord that comes with many cars.

The Alternative Fuels Data Center says Level 1 equipment provides charging through a 120 volt AC plug. Most EVs come with a portable Level 1 cordset, so no additional charging equipment is required. One end has a standard NEMA plug and the other is a [J1772](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/j1772) connector.

Level 1 is the slowest option. Many drivers still manage with it overnight. A [Level 2 charger](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/level-2-charger) is the common home upgrade, and it needs a [dedicated circuit](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/dedicated-circuit) on 240 volts. Even for a plug-in cord, the outlet and circuit should be sound. See [EV charging station installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/ev-charging-station-installation).

[Daniel Electric can helpEV charging station installation](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/ev-charging-station-installation)

## Related terms

-   [Level 2 charger](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/level-2-charger)
-   [J1772](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/j1772)
-   [EVSE](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/evse)
-   [Dedicated circuit](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/dedicated-circuit)

## Sources

1.  [U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations](https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-stations)
2.  [U.S. Department of Transportation: Charger Types and Speeds](https://www.transportation.gov/rural/ev/toolkit/ev-basics/charging-speeds)

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