Does the Quartz include solar?

Yes. CT clamp included as standard on 7kW units. Alpha7 also includes solar as standard.

What is the Quartz warranty?

7 years — more than double the Alpha7's 3-year warranty.

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Andersen Quartz: Which EV Charger Is Better?

Q: Does the Andersen Quartz need an earth rod?

No. Built-in open PEN conductor protection means no earth rod is required on PME supplies.

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Andersen Quartz | EV Charger Comparison UK 2026

EV Charger Comparison · UK 2026

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Andersen Quartz: Which EV Charger Is Better?

The UK-built Fast Amps Alpha7 and the Andersen Quartz are both smart home EV chargers with solar integration and built-in PME protection. The Alpha7 wins on price and UK manufacturing; the Quartz wins on design, a 7-year warranty, and Intelligent Octopus integration.

✓ Best value: Fast Amps Alpha7 — Best design & warranty: Andersen Quartz

Expert EV Charging Knowledge Competitive Prices via Volume Buying Fast UK Dispatch UK-Based Support Team Championing British Manufacturing

Quick verdict: Both chargers are UK-designed and include built-in PEN fault protection and solar integration. The Fast Amps Alpha7 costs from £399 — £296 less than the Quartz — and is manufactured entirely in Shrewsbury. The Andersen Quartz commands a premium for its superior design, a 7-year warranty, Intelligent Octopus Go integration, and 100+ colour combinations. The right choice depends entirely on whether design and warranty justify the price difference.

🇬🇧 Both UK-built7.4kW outputSolar integration (both)Built-in PEN protection (both)7-year warranty (Quartz)100+ colour options (Quartz)

Fast Amps Alpha7UK-designed & manufactured in Shrewsbury · From £399

Andersen QuartzUK-designed & manufactured · From £695 · 7-year warranty · 100+ colour combinations

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Fast Amps Alpha7	Andersen Quartz
Max output	7.4kW (32A)	7.4kW single / 22kW three-phase
Solar integration	Dynamic solar — standard, CT clamp	Solar — standard, CT clamp included on 7kW
Built-in PEN fault protection	Yes — no earth rod required	Yes — no earth rod required
Connectivity	WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet	WiFi, Bluetooth (no Ethernet or 4G)
Intelligent Octopus Go	Scheduled charging via app	Native integration — since Sep 2025
OVO Charge Anytime	Scheduled charging via app	Native integration
Tethered / untethered	Both available	Both available
Design customisation	Standard compact housing	100+ colour & finish combinations
Warranty	3 years	7 years
UK-manufactured	Yes — Shrewsbury (100% UK)	Yes — 70%+ UK components
IP rating	IP54	IP65
Price (charger only)	From £399	From £695

📖 Plain English

These two chargers share more than you might expect — both UK-built, both solar-capable, both with built-in PEN protection. The difference is in the premium the Quartz commands for its design, longer warranty, and deeper tariff integration. At £296 more, you're paying for 100+ colour combinations, a 7-year warranty, native Octopus Intelligent compatibility, and the Andersen aesthetic. If those things matter to your customer, the Quartz is worth it. If they don't, the Alpha7 delivers the same core capability for significantly less.

Where Fast Amps Alpha7 Has the Edge

💷

£296 Lower Price

From £399 vs £695. Both include solar and PEN protection as standard — a meaningful saving for equivalent core functionality.

🇬🇧

100% UK-Manufactured

Every component manufactured in the UK. The Quartz uses 70%+ UK components but the Alpha7 goes further — plastics in Birmingham, PCBs in Halesowen, assembled in Shrewsbury.

🌐

Ethernet Available

Wired network connectivity for reliable installs. The Quartz requires strong WiFi at the install location — no Ethernet or 4G fallback.

🔧

Bluetooth Commissioning

No WiFi required on site during installation. Faster and simpler for installers, with no customer credentials needed.

Where Andersen Quartz Has the Edge

7-year warranty: More than double the Alpha7's 3-year warranty — a significant long-term confidence advantage.
100+ colour combinations: 11 colour choices with premium metallic, standard, and optional Accoya wood fascias. Nothing else matches Andersen's design customisation at this feature level.
Intelligent Octopus Go integration: Native tariff integration (since Sep 2025) automatically shifts charging to the cheapest off-peak windows without manual scheduling.
OVO Charge Anytime integration: Also natively supported for OVO customers.
Three-phase option: Available in 22kW three-phase configuration. Alpha7 is single-phase only.
IP65 weatherproofing: Higher IP rating than Alpha7's IP54 — better suited to more exposed installations.
Quartz Vision display (optional +£88): On-charger display screen for at-a-glance status without using your phone.

PME Safety: Both Comply — No Earth Rod Needed

Both chargers include built-in PEN fault protection satisfying BS 7671 Section 722 on PME (TN-C-S) supplies. Neither requires an external PME protection device or earth rod on standard PME supplies — a genuine advantage both share over competitors like the Ohme Home Pro and Hypervolt Home 3 Pro.

Why this matters On approximately 80% of UK domestic properties, PEN fault protection is required by BS 7671 Section 722. Both Alpha7 and Quartz have this built in — simplifying installation and saving cost compared to chargers that require external PME hardware.

Solar Integration: Both Included — Different Execution

Both chargers support solar integration as standard. The Alpha7 uses a current clamp fitted by the installer that updates charge output up to 4 times per second, with a minimum 6A grid draw in solar mode.

The Andersen Quartz includes a CT clamp as standard with 7kW units, enabling solar surplus charging and property load monitoring via the Andersen app. It supports solar-only mode and solar-plus-grid blending. The app displays real-time solar contribution clearly.

One note from reviewers: the Andersen A2 (the older model using electromechanical relays) has been flagged for relay wear when used frequently with solar due to the continuous switching required. The Quartz is a newer platform — confirm current electronics approach with Andersen if heavy solar cycling is planned.

Which Should You Choose?

Our Verdict

Choose Fast Amps Alpha7 if…

Value is the primary consideration
100% UK manufacturing matters
Ethernet reliability is needed
3-year warranty is sufficient
Lower total installed cost

Choose Andersen Quartz if…

Design and aesthetics are important
7-year warranty is the priority
Intelligent Octopus automation wanted
Three-phase supply is present
Premium colour options matter

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Fast Amps Alpha7 need an earth rod on a PME supply?

No. The Alpha7 includes built-in PEN fault detection in accordance with BS 7671 Section 722. No external PME device or earth rod is required.

Does the Andersen Quartz need an earth rod?

No. The Andersen Quartz includes built-in open PEN conductor protection, satisfying BS 7671 Section 722. No earth rod is required — a genuine installation advantage it shares with the Alpha7.

Does the Andersen Quartz include solar as standard?

Yes. The CT clamp for solar integration is included as standard with 7kW Quartz units. The Fast Amps Alpha7 also includes solar capability as standard, with a current clamp fitted by the installer.

What warranty does the Andersen Quartz come with?

The Andersen Quartz comes with a 7-year warranty as standard — significantly longer than the Fast Amps Alpha7's 3-year warranty.

Is the Andersen Quartz compatible with Octopus Intelligent?

Yes. As of September 2025, all Andersen Quartz chargers are natively integrated with Intelligent Octopus Go, enabling automatic off-peak charging even for vehicles not on Octopus' standard compatibility list.

How much does the Andersen Quartz cost?

The Andersen Quartz starts from £695 for the charger only. Installed prices start from approximately £1,105–£1,130. The optional Quartz Vision display adds £88. The Fast Amps Alpha7 starts from £399.