Removing charging cable without pressing the unlock button

[KennyCaphill]

Hi all. Just a generic “does it really matter.” question.

What are the effects, long or short term, of removing the charging cable from the Mach E without pressing the unlock button first?

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[generaltso]

The unlock button does nothing for Level 2 charging.

 

[AKgrampy]

However, and probably not really necessary, if the vehicle is charging then I press the release button and wait a few seconds until the clicking stops before unplugging the cord. This is different then the unlock button used for DCFC.

 

[ShaggySS]

The unlock button does nothing for Level 2 charging.

When I push the button (on the charging cable) on level 2 chargers I hear the unit click which stops charging to the car. I do this before unplugging.

 

[generaltso]

When I push the button (on the charging cable) on level 2 chargers I hear the unit click which stops charging to the car. I do this before unplugging.

The thumb latch? Well, yeah, you can’t unplug the cord without first depressing the thumb latch. But that’s not related to the unlock button next to the charge port.

 

[Guy]

I press the thumb latch and wait for charging to stop before pulling the charging cable. One time I forgot to do that and pressed and pulled simultaneous on a rainy day and got a major spark when the cable disconnected from the car. Never again will I do that.

 

[MachEMaster]

If the unlock button is “blue”, I always depress it before unplugging. Just a habit.

 

[JohnnyForensic]

Yeah, the actual unlock button inside the charge port is only used for DCFC charging to terminate the charge session and unlock the charging cable. For Level 2 charging, it does nothing. Just push the unlatching button on top of the charging cable's connector, wait a second for good measure, and pull it out. If I push on the unlatching button, I can hear my ChargePoint Home Flex stop the charge session with a "click," and then I undock it.

 

[ShadowCVL]

That button and the thumb latch both send the same signal to the car to stop charging. It is redundant to push the button (but if you just want to, go for it, we arent your supervisor). On the EVSE itself you'll notice how there are 5 pins, 3 large and 2 small. The 2 small are how the car and EVSE "talk", the thumb latch "sends" the signal to release the contactor (similar to HVAC contactor) and drops the connection. ALWAYS press the thumb latch and give it a 1 or 2 count before pulling. If the car is pulling power from the wall this is the safe way to detach it, if you dont, well you could cause an ark, or worse. If the car is pulling voltage/amperage when you depress the thumb lever there will be an audible click (the contactor opening).

 

[generaltso]

That button and the thumb latch both send the same signal to the car to stop charging.

The button does not stop charging for Level 2. The light ring will flash briefly, but that’s it.

 

[ShadowCVL]

The button does not stop charging for Level 2. The light ring will flash briefly, but that’s it.

I should have gone with my instincts and the manual. You are 100% correct, I just tried it to verify (Trust but verify)

 

[MONDO]

That button and the thumb latch both send the same signal to the car to stop charging. It is redundant to push the button (but if you just want to, go for it, we arent your supervisor). On the EVSE itself you'll notice how there are 5 pins, 3 large and 2 small. The 2 small are how the car and EVSE "talk", the thumb latch "sends" the signal to release the contactor (similar to HVAC contactor) and drops the connection. ALWAYS press the thumb latch and give it a 1 or 2 count before pulling. If the car is pulling power from the wall this is the safe way to detach it, if you dont, well you could cause an ark, or worse. If the car is pulling voltage/amperage when you depress the thumb lever there will be an audible click (the contactor opening).

Excellent advice and explanation. I suppose this is analogous to pulling out a gas pump handle immediately after it stops dispensing. You’ll spill drops of gas all down the side of the vehicle.

There really should be some sort of latch that keeps the EVSE plug in place until it’s safe to remove. So much about the Mach-E charge port is bad design.

 

[generaltso]

There really should be some sort of latch that keeps the EVSE plug in place until it’s safe to remove.

THERE IS! The thumb latch is part of the J1772 standard. Power stops flowing within milliseconds of pressing the thumb latch. It doesn't hurt to wait an extra second to hear the EVSE relay click, but even that isn't necessary. Even if the thumb latch is broken, the pilot pins are intentionally shorter than the conductors so that they will lose signal first and stop the flow of power. It really is idiot proof.

 

[ShadowCVL]

THERE IS!

The industry standard charge port....

You arent supposed to be able to grip it and rip it. The analogy above about pulling the handle out is pretty good... click then pull, not click and pull. dont spill the electrons!

 

[Jerrytball]

Yeah, the actual unlock button inside the charge port is only used for DCFC charging to terminate the charge session and unlock the charging cable. For Level 2 charging, it does nothing. Just push the unlatching button on top of the charging cable's connector, wait a second for good measure, and pull it out. If I push on the unlatching button, I can hear my ChargePoint Home Flex stop the charge session with a "click," and then I undock it.

I know this is an older thread and I’ve just been wondering about the button myself on the charging port of the car, so what I’m understanding actually is, if it is blue and charging you should push that center button before unplugging, but if it’s white not flashing, then I believe you can just push the handle button and unplug the charger. The one thing I did see in the manual was a note about fast charging stations.

Note: You cannot unlock the charge coupler handle unless the vehicle remote is near the vehicle.

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