Things to consider when DIY installing a wall charger / outlet

[macchiaz-o]

Not sure if anyone else uses one of these, but seems like a nice idea for that extra peace of mind to check the circuit.

I check with a freebie multimeter from Harbor Freight.

 

[JCHLi]

I check with a freebie multimeter from Harbor Freight.

The problem I have with some of those multimeters is the probes aren't long enough

 

[macchiaz-o]

The problem I have with some of those multimeters is the probes aren't long enough

Fair enough. I haven't used it to test a 14-50 outlet yet. The probes were fine for my L14-20R outlets. They're probably not as deep.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

I check with a freebie multimeter from Harbor Freight.

wait, people pay for Harbor Freight multimeters? "freebie" seems redundant.

 

[macchiaz-o]

wait, people pay for Harbor Freight multimeters? "freebie" seems redundant.

Just to follow up... Sure enough, the leads that came with the FREE* multimeter are long enough to check a 14-50R's continuity and voltage. Worked great.

* with $1+ purchase

 

[Sweetwater]

No one has addressed the NEC for providing a disconnect for your
240 V recp in your garage. It is required and I will install a disconnect.

Article :
625.2342 Disconnecting Means.
For electric vehicle supply equipment rated more than 60 amperes or more than 150 volts to ground, the disconnecting means shall be provided and installed in a readily accessible location. The disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be permitted.

 

[RonTCat]

No one has addressed the NEC for providing a disconnect for your
240 V recp in your garage. It is required and I will install a disconnect.

Article :
625.2342 Disconnecting Means.
For electric vehicle supply equipment rated more than 60 amperes or more than 150 volts to ground, the disconnecting means shall be provided and installed in a readily accessible location. The disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be permitted.

You would have to have a Level 3 charger to exceed these thresholds.

 

[CHeil402]

You would have to have a Level 3 charger to exceed these thresholds.

Agreed (in most cases)! Technically, SAE defines L2 as 240 V residential or 208 V commercial power to supply between 6 and 80 A. I haven't seen any residential L2 chargers greater than 60 A (and if you're using a NEMA 14-50 outlet, you're capped at 50 A) and most US residential service is split-phase, so line-to-ground voltage is only 120 V.

So two things to consider:
1. Are you hardwiring an EVSE that supplies more than 60 A (again if using a NEMA 14-50 outlet you're capped at 50 A)?
2. Are you using residential split-phase voltage? If yes, then your line-to-ground voltage is only 120 V.

If you're below 60 A and using US residential split-phase power (120 V line-to-ground), then you don't need a disconnect.

 

[All Hat No Cattle]

If you have your charger far from your circuit breaker, out of line-of-sight, a safety disconnect might be nice to have.

In my state we use these disconnects on 5-ton AC installations.

For $10, and a bit of wire, it is cheap insurance.

Disconnect

 

[Sweetwater]

You would have to have a Level 3 charger to exceed these thresholds.

You need the disconnect. There are 2 requirements that states the use of a disconnect.
The one we all may have is :
"or more than 150 volts to ground"
The 120 V recp does not meet the requirements for a disconnect.

 

[Sweetwater]

If you have your charger far from your circuit breaker, out of line-of-sight, a safety disconnect might be nice to have.

In my state we use these disconnects on 5-ton AC installations.

For $10, and a bit of wire, it is cheap insurance.

Disconnect

This disconnect will not meet NEC code. In the new code ALL conductors must
be disconnected. The 2 Hots and 1 neutral. This will need a 3 Phase Non fused
disconnect.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

This disconnect will not meet NEC code. In the new code ALL conductors must
be disconnected. The 2 Hots and 1 neutral. This will need a 3 Phase Non fused
disconnect.

I realize I'm being dense but are you saying that a circuit breaker on a dedicated circuit is not sufficient in those cases?

 

[Sweetwater]

I realize I'm being dense but are you saying that a circuit breaker on a dedicated circuit is not sufficient in those cases?

They are sufficient but they must be insight of equipment. Installed next
to charger in garage.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

They are sufficient but they must be insight of equipment. Installed next
to charger in garage.

wow, so even like other side of garage is no good?

hmm. TIL

 

[Sweetwater]

Read some tips on the EV charging.

National Electrical Code Tips: Article 625, Electric Vehicle ...
www.codebookcity.com › codearticles › nec › necarticl...

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