Question on installing NEMA 14-50 outlet

[connoisseurr]

I did my own install from the panel to the garage; about a 50ft run in a townhouse (back to front). Albeit I chose to do a hardwired installation for my ChargePoint Home Flex EVSE, everything will be the same for you up until the 14-50 outlet. Below are my recommendations:

• Use PVC conduit; I specifically recommend the flexible liquidtight/liquidtuff PVC conduit
• Verify with your local building code whether a regular or GFCI outlet is required; usually is GFCI-required
• HIGHLY recommended to use stranded THHN in conduit; much easier to deal with
• SUPER HIGHLY recommend to get an industrial 14-50 outlet; get a Bryant NEMA 14-50 from Grainger (Bryant is a sub-brand of Hubbell)

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[walla2]

I have a 14-50 outlet, 6/3 with ground wire, 2-gang metal outlet square box, 50 amp 2 pole breaker (my electric box uses Eaton) and 3/4" metal conduit. Anything else I should add?

Check the iteration of the NEC your state is using.

Here in Washington, we use the 2020 code, which requires receptacles in a garage to be protected by a GFCI breaker. (Hardwired chargers can still use old school TM breakers).

When I talked to the inspector both before and after doing the work, he indicated it didn’t matter whether there was GFCI protection in the charger in his interpretation of the code - if there’s a receptacle it had to be GF protected, full stop. There’s a deep back order on 50A GF for Eaton/Cutler Hammer BR panels, and I ended up having to buy the breaker off of eBay.

If memory serves, earlier codes didn’t require GF protection on 240V receptacle circuits in garages, but I didn’t research it too long, since I had to meet 2020 code.

 

[Maquis]

6-3 Romex is meant to be run inside protected spaces, not in conduit. You could remove the sheath and make it in to individual wires if they are the right grade, think it needs to be THNN. Cutting out a small section of sheetrock is not too hard if you just want to run romex. You can get an extender for the box to make it big enough to hold the outlet.

Running NM in conduit is not prohibited by the NEC. But it's more expensive, unnecessary (most of the time) and adds difficulty to the install.

It's only legal to use individual conductors removed from a cable if those individual conductors are marked - which most are not. It's done all the time and is not unsafe, but technically not allowed by the NEC.

 

[AzCoronaDog]

I put in my outlet in my garage, and so far, all great tips in the previous posts.
Definitely get the biggest box you can find, bending those big wires is not easy!

One thing I did not see mentioned: Find the torque setting written on both the receptacle and the breaker, and use a torque wrench to tighten the set screws accordingly. They may be different on each end. This is very important for this high amperage setup. My electrician friend also recommended going back and doing a re-torque check after a week or so of regular charging, as a good measure.

It is also wise to plug the car in and start charging, then come back after a while and check the temperature of both the receptacle and the breaker. (With the breaker off of course) It is fine if they are a little warm, but you should be able to keep your hand on them.

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