32 amp socket UK

[Skier]

Hi all. We picked up our Mache e AWD ext last week and are loving it so far. As an EV newbie could someone please give some advice on using the supplied Ford charger with the supplied 32a commando style plug rather than the normal 3 pin 13amp. My hope is if I got a dedicated 32amp commando style socket fitted in my garage this would allow faster charging? If this is correct what amp breaker would I need in the distribution board, I thought 40 amp?

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[hawkeye3point1]

Correct on all counts (40 amp circuit for the 32 amp Mobile EVSE), very commendable for a first post. You will add approx. 20 mis. per hour of Level 2 charging (varies with driving characteristics/consumption) vs 3 mis. at Level 1.

Enjoy your new MME.

 

[timbop]

I'm not sure what you mean by "commando", but yes a 32A charger requires a 40A circuit breaker and #8 copper wire. The actual term for the 240V outlet is NEMA 14-50

EDIT: looks like you are in the UK; not sure what the designation is for the outlet. Here in the US it is NEMA 14-50.

 

[Skier]

Correct on all counts (40 amp circuit for the 32 amp Mobile EVSE), very commendable for a first post. You will add approx. 20 mis. per hour of Level 2 charging (varies with driving characteristics/consumption) vs 3 mis. at Level 1.

Enjoy your new MME.

Thanks for your quick reply. I know a bit about electricity but absolutely nothing about EV’s but I’m keen to learn. As we’re likely to move home the commando socket seemed a great alternative to a dedicated charger. Thanks again ?

 

[timbop]

Thanks for your quick reply. I know a bit about electricity but absolutely nothing about EV’s but I’m keen to learn. As we’re likely to move home the commando socket seemed a great alternative to a dedicated charger. Thanks again ?

Just to be clear on the explanation of breaker and wire size: because the car can pull a constant load for hours at a time it can cause more heat than the typical wiring guides expected. For that reason you have to increase the breaker and wire size by 25% so that they don't overheat. The end result is that a 32A charger requires a 40A breaker and #8 wire, and a 40A charger requires a 50A breaker and #6 wire. At least that is the code here in the US, but I suspect the 25% increase is required by building codes everywhere

 

[JSeis]

Many older utility circuits in garages have 240V 30 amp plugs that ran dryers/small welders/240V equipment (table saws/radial arm saws/compressors). That’s what I found in our garage. Thus the plug and breaker had to be upgraded to the new NEMA 15-50 and a new 40 amp breaker. The wire is AWG 8 and good. If you just do the plug you’ll trip that 30 amp breaker.

 

[Skier]

I'm not sure what you mean by "commando", but yes a 32A charger requires a 40A circuit breaker and #8 copper wire. The actual term for the 240V outlet is NEMA 14-50

EDIT: looks like you are in the UK; not sure what the designation is for the outlet. Here in the US it is NEMA 14-50.

Hi timbop, a commando plug is the blue one in the pic. It’s a 32a plug which I’m guessing is the UK version of your NEMA 14-50. This is what is supplied by Ford in the UK

 

[Wonky_Donkey]

Hi timbop, a commando plug is the blue one in the pic. It’s a 32a plug which I’m guessing is the UK version of your NEMA 14-50. This is what is supplied by Ford in the UK

Hi all

So for the benefit of our American friends a UK 32amp Commando plug looks like this…

It’s a pretty heavy duty piece of kit like most UK electrical plugs, and it’s mostly used for commercial and leisure applications such as electrical hookups for boats and motor homes. More recently it’s becoming more common due to home EV charging solutions.

A typical commando socket looks like this…

…and can be wired from a domestic supply as long as it’s on its own circuit. The recommended size of the cabling, breakers, and RCD devices are dictated by a whole load of British Standards that all electricians have to adhere to. (Amendment 1 of BS 7671 - Jul 2020 being one of them)

The very quick answer to @Skier ‘s original question is a 40A MCB …but you should always consult with a qualified electrician who will determine if your existing consumer unit and household supply can cope with the additional load. You’ll want to check the rating of the grid supply fuse which is before your smart meter and see if it’s 60amp or 100amp, and ensure it’s not a shared/looped supply.

Hope that helps - and if you want a copy of the current UK regs give me a shout.

 

[portlandg]

Hi all. We picked up our Mache e AWD ext last week and are loving it so far. As an EV newbie could someone please give some advice on using the supplied Ford charger with the supplied 32a commando style plug rather than the normal 3 pin 13amp. My hope is if I got a dedicated 32amp commando style socket fitted in my garage this would allow faster charging? If this is correct what amp breaker would I need in the distribution board, I thought 40 amp?

This is exactly how I charge my MME at home and it works a treat. You are quite correct, you need it to be on a seperate circuit with a minimum 40amp breaker. You say you know a little about electrics. I would recommend getting a qualified electrician who is up to date with all the rules and regs to install. I bought the socket from Amazon for £32, it was last year, ran the cable from my main fuse board to the new garage and then got a man in to connect. Saved a bundle over getting a wall box. The only draw back is that you have to do ALL the programming for departure times/charge levels through the carFP app but I don't find that inconvenient.

 

[Skier]

Just to be clear on the explanation of breaker and wire size: because the car can pull a constant load for hours at a time it can cause more heat than the typical wiring guides expected. For that reason you have to increase the breaker and wire size by 25% so that they don't overheat. The end result is that a 32A charger requires a 40A breaker and #8 wire, and a 40A charger requires a 50A breaker and #6 wire. At least that is the code here in the US, but I suspect the 25% increase is required by building codes everywhere

Hi all

So for the benefit of our American friends a UK 32amp Commando plug looks like this…

It’s a pretty heavy duty piece of kit like most UK electrical plugs, and it’s mostly used for commercial and leisure applications such as electrical hookups for boats and motor homes. More recently it’s becoming more common due to home EV charging solutions.

A typical commando socket looks like this…

…and can be wired from a domestic supply as long as it’s on its own circuit. The recommended size of the cabling, breakers, and RCD devices are dictated by a whole load of British Standards that all electricians have to adhere to. (Amendment 1 of BS 7671 - Jul 2020 being one of them)

The very quick answer to @Skier ‘s original question is a 40A MCB …but you should always consult with a qualified electrician who will determine if your existing consumer unit and household supply can cope with the additional load. You’ll want to check the rating of the grid supply fuse which is before your smart meter and see if it’s 60amp or 100amp, and ensure it’s not a shared/looped supply.

Hope that helps - and if you want a copy of the current UK regs give me a shout.

Thanks Wonky Donkey for such a detailed reply. It’ll absolutely be an electrician that fits the socket. I couldn’t find much online about it, other than for the US and was hoping that the Ford UK supplied portable charger had the same 2 levels of charging options which you and other have confirmed. That should save me about £1k especially as the government £350 grant will be cut for my house before I have a chance to get a dedicated charger fitted. So thanks again and I’m off to phone my spark ?

 

[Skier]

This is exactly how I charge my MME at home and it works a treat. You are quite correct, you need it to be on a seperate circuit with a minimum 40amp breaker. You say you know a little about electrics. I would recommend getting a qualified electrician who is up to date with all the rules and regs to install. I bought the socket from Amazon for £32, it was last year, ran the cable from my main fuse board to the new garage and then got a man in to connect. Saved a bundle over getting a wall box. The only draw back is that you have to do ALL the programming for departure times/charge levels through the carFP app but I don't find that inconvenient.

Hi portlandg

Thanks for your reply. That’s great news and really pleased to hear from someone that’s actually done it. As they say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, so it’ll absolutely be an electrician that wires it in for me. I was just keen to know if it was actually possible with the UK supplied charger. I’m guessing Ford don’t make a big deal of it as they’re keen to sell their own dedicated chargers. & thanks for the tips on programming times/charge levels through the car, makes perfect sense.

 

[Tony.T]

Hi @Skier -

you may not be aware, but us UK types have a sb-forum where you'll find everything you need to know about UK issues. Here's a link to get you started and if you're brave start at page 1...

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/uk-customers.588/page-896

 

[macchiaz-o]

Hi @Skier -

you may not be aware, but us UK types have a sb-forum where you'll find everything you need to know about UK issues. Here's a link to get you started and if you're brave start at page 1...

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/uk-customers.588/page-896

OP's post *is in the UK subforum*:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/forums/uk.63/

 

[Skier]

Hi all

just a quick update. Following some great advice from yourselves and in particular @portlandg & @Wonky_Donkey I had a 32amp commando socket (UK heavy duty socket) installed in my home garage today. The Mach e is now charging at 7kwh on the supplied with car Ford Varipower Home Charging Cable rather than the previous 2kw with the household 13amp plug. Total cost £150 including relevant building control/electrical installation certificates. Long term I may get a dedicated outside charge point, especially if we get another EV but at the moment I’m very pleased with this set up. Thanks again all ?

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