Key facts
- Noble Carbon has developed smart circuit breakers designed to simplify the installation of EV chargers, heat pumps, and induction stoves.
- These breakers adjust electricity delivery in real-time, allowing installation in electrical panels that might otherwise be at capacity.
- The company's co-founder and CEO, Jared Lebos, was inspired by rolling blackouts in South Africa.
- Noble Carbon's breakers are designed to fit into existing electrical panel slots and take less than five minutes to install.
- The product is currently undergoing evaluation for UL certification.
- Noble Carbon is partnering with Eversource for installations in up to 200 multifamily units in Massachusetts.
Noble Carbon is set to showcase its innovative smart circuit breakers at TechCrunch Disrupt, aiming to address a significant barrier to electric vehicle adoption: the cost of upgrading home electrical systems. Many homeowners hesitate to install EV chargers due to the potential expense of upgrading electrical panels, which can double installation costs. The Pittsfield, Massachusetts-based startup has developed circuit breakers that can dynamically adjust the amount of electricity delivered to devices like EV chargers, heat pumps, or induction stoves. This real-time management allows these appliances to operate even in electrical panels that are already near capacity, thus avoiding the need for a full panel replacement.
According to Spencer Fields, Noble Carbon's head of marketing, electrical panels are typically designed for peak usage scenarios that occur infrequently. The company's smart breakers can reduce power to controlled appliances during these peak times, ensuring the overall load does not exceed the panel's capacity. Co-founder and CEO Jared Lebos was motivated to create the technology after experiencing rolling blackouts in South Africa. Working with co-founder and CTO Andrew Crane, they developed a breaker that fits into existing panel slots and can be installed in under five minutes. The product has undergone testing by employees for over a year and is currently seeking UL certification for electrical safety.
Noble Carbon is participating in the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield competition, where 20 finalists will present on the main stage. The company is also collaborating with the utility Eversource to pilot its breakers in up to 200 multifamily units in Massachusetts.