Studies say that more than 70 percent of household recharging occurs during evening or nighttime hours, when rates are cheapest. But it is also the time of day when high-drawing appliances such as boilers, heat pumps and washing machines are activated.

If your system is sized for 3 or 6 kW and the wallbox comes in with other loads, the risk of blackouts is real. This is where Dynamic Load Management comes in, the most effective solution to avoid meter jumping.

Why does the power go out during overnight charging of the electric car?

Charging the electric car during nighttime hours is a logical and generally economical choice. But what happens if a washing machine, dryer, heat pump, or electric water heater comes on at the same time? The risk is not hypothetical: the meter jumps leaving you without power at precisely the least opportune time.

Household blackouts in this case do not depend on a malfunction, but on exceeding the available power. If your contract calls for 3 or 6 kW, it only takes a few high-drawing devices to saturate the limit. Adding a wallbox that draws 3.6 or 7.4 kW on its own can easily cause the circuit breaker to trip.

In Italy, the most common contracted power for homes is 3.3 kW (single-phase), with a temporary maximum margin of 10 percent (up to 3 .7 kW for 3 hours). Once this limit is exceeded, the meter automatically trips. With a 7.4 kW wallbox in full power mode then, even a small extra household load can cause the critical threshold to be exceeded.

Dynamic Load Management: how it works and why it is essential for smart charging

The technical solution to the problem of nighttime blackouts while charging electric cars is called Dynamic Load Management, abbreviated as DLM.

It is an intelligent monitoring system that measures the overall consumption of the home in real time and automatically adjusts the power allocated to the wallbox.

DLM (in Italian: dynamic load management) technology is based on one or more current sensors that read consumption in real time and talk to the wallbox.

The DLM can work in two ways:

Stop charging if global consumption exceeds the threshold;
Modulate the power drawn by the wallbox, adapting it to the available residual load.

Basically, if you are consuming 2.5 kW for appliances and have a 3.3 kW contract, the wallbox will automatically adjust to not exceed 800 W of absorption, preventing blackout.

Electric car night charging: when is a dynamic load management system really needed?

DLM is strongly recommended in all homes with standard installations(3 or 6 kW), especially if:

you schedule charging overnight;
other energy-consuming appliances are used during the same hours;
the strengthening of the supply contract is to be avoided.

In more modern homes with three-phase systems or with power ratings above 10 kW, the problem occurs less frequently, but a DLM system is still useful in energy optimization.

How much do wallboxes really absorb: the real numbers

A 3.7 kW single-phase wallbox draws 16 A continuous, while a 7.4 kW wallbox requires 32 A. When added to a 1.8 kW heat pump or a 1.2 kW washing machine in the heating phase, the 3.3 kW threshold is easily exceeded.

Three-phase wallboxes (11 or 22 kW) can recharge faster because they take advantage of power distribution over three phases, reducing the current on each compared to a single-phase one with the same power rating. However, they require a three-phase electrical system and a supply contract with adequate power, conditions uncommon in standard homes.

How to install a DLM system to avoid blackouts by recharging the car

How DLM is implemented depends on the compatibility of the wallbox and the architecture of the system.

Ammeter sensor: connects to the electrical panel and communicates with the wallbox. It is the most popular solution in residential installations.
Dedicated smart meter: measures overall consumption and sends real-time data to the charging system.
Chain2 protocol: used in more complex systems, allows communication between compatible devices via data network.

Please note: Not all wallboxes are DLM-ready, and some manufacturers sell sensors separately. It is therefore essential to check whether the feature is included as standard or requires specific accessories.

In some cases, the installation of a wallbox with intelligent load management may qualify for tax deductions or government bonuses: find out about available benefits to optimize your investment.

Silla Prism and Homer wallboxes: integrated load management for safe nighttime charging

Silla Prism wallboxes-both Basic and Solar-are ready for dynamic load management, with amperometric sensor included as standard equipment. No additional components to buy, no post-installation surprises.

The Homer series also supports DLM, via Chain2 protocol, and is designed for those who want even more flexible management that can be integrated with other smart home or business systems.

Both solutions allow the wallbox to be configured to prioritize the stability of the system without sacrificing the convenience of overnight charging.

Best practice: 3 practical tips for charging your electric car at night without risking blackout

Here are some practical tips for avoiding blackouts and recharging safely.

Rely on a certified installer-a well-sized system is the basis for any smart management.
Take advantage of smart scheduling: with modern wallbox apps, you can choose the start time, such as delaying the start of charging at 2:00 a.m. instead of midnight.
Carefully consider upgrading the meter: going from 3 to 6 kW can be useful, but not always necessary if the DLM is configured correctly.

Smarter nighttime charging starts with load management

Charging at night is a beneficial choice, but it must be accompanied by the right technology. And in this, a truly smart wallbox makes all the difference.

Managing home electric car charging is not only about choosing a good wallbox, but also making sure that the entire system is protected, balanced and optimized. Dynamic Load Management is now an indispensable tool for those who want to avoid blackouts, unexpected costs or wasted energy.

Don’t risk a blackout while charging your car at night

Silla wallboxes are designed to manage loads in real time: no extra components to buy, no post-installation surprises. For security of your system and nighttime charging without blackouts.

Discover Silla wallboxes now on our online shop