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I bought a plug in hybrid last year and am now looking at putting in a level 2 charger. I'm doing some research on things to be concerned about. I have pretty much decided to install a NEMA 14-50R receptacle instead of direct wiring the charger to the circuit.
I have seen a few articles and some have expressed concern with using standard residential grade NEMA 14-50R outlets for car charging. they say that because car chargers run high loads for long periods of time compared to the shorter duty cycles of clothes dryers, stoves and similar appliances. This has caused some problems with the receptacles overheating and either melting or catching fire. They recommend using a commercial grade receptacle, which is (of course) more expensive,sometimes greatly so.
Should I go to the extra expense of installing the larger and heavier duty commercial receptacle?
Are you hiring an electrician to do the install?
Is it going to be permitted?
What does the AHJ require? That should be your answer.
As a secondary thought- what does your insurance co. say/require regarding your home policy?
I bought a plug in hybrid last year and am now looking at putting in a level 2 charger. I'm doing some research on things to be concerned about. I have pretty much decided to install a NEMA 14-50R receptacle instead of direct wiring the charger to the circuit.
I have seen a few articles and some have expressed concern with using standard residential grade NEMA 14-50R outlets for car charging. they say that because car chargers run high loads for long periods of time compared to the shorter duty cycles of clothes dryers, stoves and similar appliances. This has caused some problems with the receptacles overheating and either melting or catching fire. They recommend using a commercial grade receptacle, which is (of course) more expensive,sometimes greatly so.
Should I go to the extra expense of installing the larger and heavier duty commercial receptacle?
I bought a plug in hybrid last year and am now looking at putting in a level 2 charger. I'm doing some research on things to be concerned about. I have pretty much decided to install a NEMA 14-50R receptacle instead of direct wiring the charger to the circuit.
I have seen a few articles and some have expressed concern with using standard residential grade NEMA 14-50R outlets for car charging. they say that because car chargers run high loads for long periods of time compared to the shorter duty cycles of clothes dryers, stoves and similar appliances. This has caused some problems with the receptacles overheating and either melting or catching fire. They recommend using a commercial grade receptacle, which is (of course) more expensive,sometimes greatly so.
Should I go to the extra expense of installing the larger and heavier duty commercial receptacle?
I'm going to tell you that heavying it up to commercial grade is the way to go. You might even have to once you look at the Electrical Code more (although my sense is that the Code is lagging a bit).
The NEMA 14-50R receptacle is rated for 50 amps and if you have the circuit appropriately grounded and the right breaker in use... you should have no problem. Now, are there things you can do to keep the circuit safer? Yes. First make sure the charger is UL "certified" not just listed. When using the NEMA outlet redo all connections with electrical compound to ensure proper/best connection. Take your multi meter and measure the resistance of the outlet ... .02 ohms or less. Mitigate all issues you might have.
I use a NEMA 50 for a Class A RV and if the power is out I can use the NEMA 50 to back feed my panel with my 10KW PTO generator. I've taken temperature checks... goes about 20-25* over ambient at 48 amps. I'm good.
You should. I did.
I am very comfortable working with 110 volt, 20 amp circuits. Adding/replacing switches/lights.
But, I am not going to touch 240 volt, 50 amp.
I was vey happy to hire an electrician and when he said "sh_t" during the install, I was even happier.
Are you hiring an electrician to do the install?
Is it going to be permitted?
What does the AHJ require? That should be your answer.
As a secondary thought- what does your insurance co. say/require regarding your home policy?
Yes I am hiring a very experienced well regarded local electrician to do the work.
I have always believed that local regulations are a minimum standard.
Hadn't thought about insurance but I can't see a problem with it being done to at least current code by a licensed electrician.
You should. I did.
I am very comfortable working with 110 volt, 20 amp circuits. Adding/replacing switches/lights.
But, I am not going to touch 240 volt, 50 amp.
I was vey happy to hire an electrician and when he said "sh_t" during the install, I was even happier.
Those are my thoughts. I will do 110 volt ( I did aircraft electronics and ran computer rooms and networks for 25+ years but have no desire to fool with 240 volt). 'A man should know his limitations'
I have sent an email to my electrician asking his opinion on the subject also
I have sent an email to my electrician asking his opinion on the subject
My electrician installed our EVSE in December.
When he installed our neighbor's EVSE in February he commented that almost 100% of his residential work is now installing EVSEs.
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