50-Amp EV Receptacle

[davedottcom]

When did they start making 50-Amp Receptacles listed specifically for EV charging? & Are they now required per NEC?

Thanks in advance!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

When did they start making 50-Amp Receptacles listed specifically for EV charging? & Are they now required per NEC?

Thanks in advance!

There will be a requirement for receptacles used for EV charging to be listed for that purpose in the 2026 code, however there is no listing standard and no proposals to create one at this time. This new rule should have had an effective date of 1/1/29 to allow time for rules to be created in the product standard and for manufacturers to produce such a product.

Yes, there are at least two brands that have receptacles marked for EV use. For one of the brands it is simply a re-labeled version of their industrial receptacle that has been on the market for decades, for the other it is a new heavy duty product created for this market.

 

[infinity]

Why do we need a special receptacle designed for EV charging? Was this code change pushed through by a receptacle manufacturer?

 

[davedottcom]

There will be a requirement for receptacles used for EV charging to be listed for that purpose in the 2026 code, however there is no listing standard and no proposals to create one at this time. This new rule should have had an effective date of 1/1/29 to allow time for rules to be created in the product standard and for manufacturers to produce such a product.

Yes, there are at least two brands that have receptacles marked for EV use. For one of the brands it is simply a re-labeled version of their industrial receptacle that has been on the market for decades, for the other it is a new heavy duty product created for this market.

Thanks Don!

 

[retirede]

Why do we need a special receptacle designed for EV charging? Was this code change pushed through by a receptacle manufacturer?

Go to any EV user forum and you’ll find multiple posts like this:

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Why do we need a special receptacle designed for EV charging? Was this code change pushed through by a receptacle manufacturer?

Yes, it was submitted by Legrand, with the following substantiation:

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE and WPTE) is a new and challenging application for receptacles. These receptacles should meet certain standards and be listed for the purpose of use with EVSE.• Rated and tested for continuous load. EVSE and WPTE current draws are increasing and are often adjustable by the end-user. It is likely that end-users that do not understand the receptacle’s capability will use (for example) a 48A EVSE on a 50A receptacle for charging that could exceed three hours. Designing the receptacle with this capability will prevent an unsafe condition. There have been reports of receptacles failing due to high temperatures. Root cause needs to be determined but it is believed to be caused by the EVSE being in high ambient temperatures and in use for extended time and possibly drawing more than design current. Testing needs to be developed by UL that will assure safe operating temperature and ability to function in it’s intended environment over long periods of time.• Visual identifier for dedicated EV Charging (mark “EV” on product, or similar).

 

[infinity]

Go to any EV user forum and you’ll find multiple posts like this:

Which is my point that these manufacturers are ripping off the public because their devices cannot be used per their rating. If the receptacle were constructed to operate as per the rated value then it should not fail. There should be a class action lawsuit for everyone who purchased these receptacles which are faulty. The NEC shouldn't be slapping a Band-Aid on a problem which is actually related to how these receptacles are manufactured, tested, and listed.

 

[davedottcom]

There will be a requirement for receptacles used for EV charging to be listed for that purpose in the 2026 code, however there is no listing standard and no proposals to create one at this time. This new rule should have had an effective date of 1/1/29 to allow time for rules to be created in the product standard and for manufacturers to produce such a product.

Yes, there are at least two brands that have receptacles marked for EV use. For one of the brands it is simply a re-labeled version of their industrial receptacle that has been on the market for decades, for the other it is a new heavy duty product created for this market.

Yes, it was submitted by Legrand, with the following substantiation:

Thanks Don!

Don, do you know when ANY manufacturer first offered a 50-Amp Recp listed for EV charging? Do you know what year?

 

[curt swartz]

Which is my point that these manufacturers are ripping off the public because their devices cannot be used per their rating. If the receptacle were constructed to operate as per the rated value then it should not fail. There should be a class action lawsuit for everyone who purchased these receptacles which are faulty. The NEC shouldn't be slapping a Band-Aid on a problem which is actually related to how these receptacles are manufactured, tested, and listed.

All of the melted receptacle pictures I have seen over the years have been Leviton. The first time I installed one of their redesigned power receptacles, with the rear entry wire connections was my last. My installation was for a range not and EV but could tell the quality was bad.
It would not surprise me if a major contribution to the failures is from the wires loosening in the clamps as the receptacle gets pushed and twisted into the box. Not sure why they still have a UL listing.

When Leviton first announced their EV receptacle it seemed to me they are admitting their current design is garbage. They should be required to replace the defective products.

I have not had any problem with the Legrand receptacles we use or seen any pictures of their failures. That doesn't mean that they have not happened. I wonder if they made the proposal so they can compete with Leviton and sell their own version of EV receptacle for $$$ even though their current design works fine.

 

[infinity]

I'm not understanding this logic. How can a 48 amp EV load be on a 50 amp receptacle in the first place? Doesn't this 48 amp load require a 60 amp circuit?

It is likely that end-users that do not understand the receptacle’s capability will use (for example) a 48A EVSE on a 50A receptacle for charging that could exceed three hours.

 

[curt swartz]

I'm not understanding this logic. How can a 48 amp EV load be on a 50 amp receptacle in the first place? Doesn't this 48 amp load require a 60 amp circuit?

Yes!

Most plug in EV chargers are 32 amps max. A few are 40 amps but I think most manufactures limit them to 32 amps since the NEC permits 50 amps receptacles to be supplied by a 40 amp circuit.

If installers or homeowners are installing 50 amp cord/plugs on 48 amp chargers they are creating the hazard.

Unfortunately If the charger is adjustable the homeowner can change the input amps after installation.

 

[kwired]

Don, do you know when ANY manufacturer first offered a 50-Amp Recp listed for EV charging? Do you know what year?

He said there currently is no product standard for them, hence the 2029 enforcement date also being part of the code.

He did say there are a couple so called "heavy duty" versions out there and I'd guess that likely those will end up being something that will fall into the product standard once they have one with little modification to what they already have. Hubbell is one I am aware of that has such a product.

 

[kwired]

Which is my point that these manufacturers are ripping off the public because their devices cannot be used per their rating. If the receptacle were constructed to operate as per the rated value then it should not fail. There should be a class action lawsuit for everyone who purchased these receptacles which are faulty. The NEC shouldn't be slapping a Band-Aid on a problem which is actually related to how these receptacles are manufactured, tested, and listed.

Funny thing is around here on the farms they been using 10-50 receptacles and plugs for a lot of things (right or wrong) for a very long time, and most of them stand up pretty well. They are commonly used on portable single phase conveyors and in more recent years there have been up to 12 HP motors that end up getting used on them, but up to 10 HP has been pretty common for a long time. Granted many those are only loaded maybe for 15 to 20 minutes to fill a truck with grain and then shut down again until the next truck comes along where an EV is going to be a longer term loading. But have seen a few that are used in cases with longer time loading and they don't seem to burn up like these EV chargers are experiencing. And most of what I am talking about is usually outdoors so you have higher moisture and corrosion possibilities thrown into the mix as well.

 

[davedottcom]

He said there currently is no product standard for them, hence the 2029 enforcement date also being part of the code.

He did say there are a couple so called "heavy duty" versions out there and I'd guess that likely those will end up being something that will fall into the product standard once they have one with little modification to what they already have. Hubbell is one I am aware of that has such a product.

Yes sir, I understand, I was just wondering if anyone knew when the first EV listed receptacle was actually offered. What year?

 

[davedottcom]

Yes sir, I understand, I was just wondering if anyone knew when the first EV listed receptacle was actually offered. What year?

Like this one for instance from Leviton. Does anyone know when they first offered this outlet as an EV outlet?

 

[retirede]

Yes!

Most plug in EV chargers are 32 amps max. A few are 40 amps but I think most manufactures limit them to 32 amps since the NEC permits 50 amps receptacles to be supplied by a 40 amp circuit.

If installers or homeowners are installing 50 amp cord/plugs on 48 amp chargers they are creating the hazard.

Unfortunately If the charger is adjustable the homeowner can change the input amps after installation.

Almost every EVSE manufacturer makes a 40A EVSE with a 14-15P. By and large, these are the ones that are failing. Some are even failing with 32A EVSEs.

 

[retirede]

Yes sir, I understand, I was just wondering if anyone knew when the first EV listed receptacle was actually offered. What year?

There is no such thing as an “EV listed” receptacle.

The ones that the manufacturers call “EV receptacles” first appeared last year.

 

[retirede]

Which is my point that these manufacturers are ripping off the public because their devices cannot be used per their rating. If the receptacle were constructed to operate as per the rated value then it should not fail. There should be a class action lawsuit for everyone who purchased these receptacles which are faulty. The NEC shouldn't be slapping a Band-Aid on a problem which is actually related to how these receptacles are manufactured, tested, and listed.

100%.
The problem is that these devices can pass the UL test for them. Devices that meet the standard should not be failing. The answer is not to create 2 different standards resulting in 2 classes of devices that are physically interchangeable. The standard should stringent enough so that every device that conforms can perform at their rating.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Which is my point that these manufacturers are ripping off the public because their devices cannot be used per their rating. If the receptacle were constructed to operate as per the rated value then it should not fail. There should be a class action lawsuit for everyone who purchased these receptacles which are faulty. The NEC shouldn't be slapping a Band-Aid on a problem which is actually related to how these receptacles are manufactured, tested, and listed.

I think there is an issue with the current product standard and the product standard testing requirements. I believe the receptacles that are failing are compliant with the requirements of UL 498.

 

[AC\DC]

Seems if it’s that big of issue just make them.only hardwired. Less user error