Electrician just installed a 60A breaker over 8/3 Romex

Bausmx5

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Hi all,

I just had the electrician come in to install a 240v outlet for faster charging. His supplier didn't have the 50A breaker so he installed a 60A and will switch them out when he gets it back in stock. Do y'all know if the charger that came with the MME is limited to 48A like I've read online? Electrician said its safe, but I'm skeptical.
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Bausmx5

Bausmx5

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He did install the Nema 14-50 outlet over 8/3 Romex (probably to save money). Its the 60 amp breaker I'm concerned about. I just don't want a fire
 

Garbone

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Depends on the type of "Romex". #6 THHN can do 60 amps. #8 can do 55,. Should be fine. When I went to get my breaker there is a shortage due to a warehouse fire. Got the last one at my 3rd stop so it is a thing.

I would not worry about the 32 amp Ford charger burning you down.
 


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You should be safe if you are using the included mobile charger, as long as nothing compromises insulation on its wiring. The other option is to not use the circuit until the breaker is replaced.
 

ARK

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He did install the Nema 14-50 outlet over 8/3 Romex (probably to save money). Its the 60 amp breaker I'm concerned about. I just don't want a fire
The other responses are correct, the mobile charger that came with the car is limited to drawing 32 amps anyway. The Mach-E is capable of taking up to 48 amps, and the separate Ford Connected Charge Station that you can purchase can put out 48 amps, and I think that is the one you are thinking of.
 

Texas-E

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I'm not trying to scare you, but think for a minute about why you have a breaker in the first place. It isn't because you trust the device plugged in and the wiring. Should you be ok with the mobile charger that came with your car... yes.

The 48amp for something like the ChargePoint (that I have) requires a 60 amp breaker and wiring that is appropriate for a 60amp circuit. I'm surprised that a licensed electrician did that. The 14-50 plug should limit the risk, too.
 
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Bausmx5

Bausmx5

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You should be safe if you are using the included mobile charger, as long as nothing compromises insulation on its wiring. The other option is to not use the circuit until the breaker is replaced.
I will probably just use the standard outlet for now until he comes back and replaces it. Luckily there’s a 150kw charger just down the street from me that I can use in the meantime
 

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National Electrical Code
Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Rated 0-2000 Volts
As Excerpted from the 2002 National Electrical Code
Ampacities of Not More Than Three Current-Carrying Conductors in Raceway, Cable or Earth. Based on Ampbient Temperature of 30°C (86°F)
SIZE AWG OR kcmil
Ford Mustang Mach-E Electrician just installed a 60A breaker over 8/3 Romex 1625091836827
Ford Mustang Mach-E Electrician just installed a 60A breaker over 8/3 Romex 1625091836827
Copper Conductors
Temperature Rating of ConductorTemperature Rating of Conductor
60°C
TYPES
TW UF
#840 amps
Your electrician is wrong. Your cable is good for only 40 amps.
https://www.usawire-cable.com/pdf/nec-ampacities.pdf
 
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Bausmx5

Bausmx5

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National Electrical Code
Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Rated 0-2000 Volts
As Excerpted from the 2002 National Electrical Code
Ampacities of Not More Than Three Current-Carrying Conductors in Raceway, Cable or Earth. Based on Ampbient Temperature of 30°C (86°F)
SIZE AWG OR kcmil
Ford Mustang Mach-E Electrician just installed a 60A breaker over 8/3 Romex 1625091836827
Ford Mustang Mach-E Electrician just installed a 60A breaker over 8/3 Romex 1625091836827
Copper Conductors
Temperature Rating of ConductorTemperature Rating of Conductor
60°C
TYPES
TW UF
#840 amps
Your electrician is wrong. Your cable is good for only 40 amps.
https://www.usawire-cable.com/pdf/nec-ampacities.pdf
I asked around on electrician forums, they all said 50A breakers are fine
 

dtbaker61

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He did install the Nema 14-50 outlet over 8/3 Romex (probably to save money). Its the 60 amp breaker I'm concerned about. I just don't want a fire
8/3 is cutting it very close if you were pulling the full 50amps... remember charging is a continuous load and solid wire will heat up a bit more than stranded. I'd recommend you replace the 60amp circuit breaker with a 40amp to prevent anybody or a future charger upgrade from pulling more than the wire can handle.

NEMA 14-50 outlet really should have #6 wire for L1, N, L2, and at least 10awg for ground with 50amp circuit. This type of wire can be separate cable in a conduit, or the direct bury flatwire some Electricians use for 50amp air conditioners.
 

Fat Mach

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How long is the wire run? A couple feet, or to the other side of the house?
 

malba2366

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Your electrician is incompetent. He should have used 6/3 wire. Putting a 60 AMP breaker is a problem because 60 amps through 8/3 is a fire hazard, even though the charger is only supposed to draw 32 amps, the breaker is the safeguard incase it tries to draw more due to a fault.
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