50AMP RECEPTACLE ON A 20 AMP CIRCUIT?

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thelonelord said:
Is it acceptable to put a 50A receptacle on #12 20Amp circuit if the load does not exceed 16amps? (tesla car charger)
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Can you put 16 pounds of air from an air tank, that's designed to hold 20 pounds of air max, through a hose that's designed to hold 20 pounds of air max, into a tire that's rated to hold 90 pounds of air max ?


JAP>
 
tom baker said:
Is this a DIY question or related to being a building inspector.
Any electrician would know the answer
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From my classes, I'm not not sure that is the case...
I get a lot of "deer in the headlight" responses when we discuss 210.21 :D

(some times I'm the "deer" and confuse the "single receptacle" and "more than one rule")
 
For a Tesla charger that is not going to work. The charge rate is based on the adapter you install on the cord. If you install a 50 amp receptacle the charger is going to pull ~40 amps. If you are only going to supply 20 amps you should install a 20 amp receptacle and use the Tesla 20 adapter.
 
20 amp overcurrent device doesn't care what code says, it is going to interrupt circuit if high enough current flows whether it is a 20 or a 50 amp receptacle;)
 
I have a client who has a 50 amp plug Telsa charger and uses an adapter to plug it into his 30 amp dryer outlet without issue. The cord does not get warm.
 
Coppersmith said:
I have a client who has a 50 amp plug Telsa charger and uses an adapter to plug it into his 30 amp dryer outlet without issue. The cord does not get warm.
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30 and 50 amp receptacles are the same thing for the most part - just one pin gets oriented a different direction or is L shaped instead of flat to make them non interchangeable. I'd think they physically can both handle the same load they just are designated different ratings.
 
Coppersmith said:
I have a client who has a 50 amp plug Telsa charger and uses an adapter to plug it into his 30 amp dryer outlet without issue. The cord does not get warm.
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They are using the Tesla 30 amp adapter or a homemade adapter? With the Tesla 30 amp adapter the car will only charge at 24 amps max. If using a homemade adapter the car will try to charge at 40 amps on the 30 amp dryer circuit.

I have no idea what the comment about the cord getting warm means. Why would the cord get hot when connected to a lower rated circuit?
 
curt swartz said:
They are using the Tesla 30 amp adapter or a homemade adapter? With the Tesla 30 amp adapter the car will only charge at 24 amps max. If using a homemade adapter the car will try to charge at 40 amps on the 30 amp dryer circuit.

I have no idea what the comment about the cord getting warm means. Why would the cord get hot when connected to a lower rated circuit?
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If the supply voltage is 240v in both instances , why would the homemade adapter make any difference as to what the charging rate would be?
That doesn't make any sense.

JAP?
 
curt swartz said:
I have no idea what the comment about the cord getting warm means. Why would the cord get hot when connected to a lower rated circuit?
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I was assuming that if the adapter was designed to plug into a 30 amp recep that the cord would be sized to 30 amps as well. I also assumed that if the charger attempted to draw more than 30 amps, the cord would get very warm. The breaker would take a while to trip.
 
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ptonsparky said:
Mind Boggling. Tesla owners, but they scrimp on the charger outlets.

I know, You are just saying it works.
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I didn't say he was scrimping on charger outlets. He was using the adapter for several weeks while he was waiting for me to install charging outlets. I have since installed three: One outside his office next to his parking spot, and one in each of his two garages at two different residences.

BTW, he gave me a ride in his model 3. It went from zero to 60 in like 2 seconds. Scary as hell when you're not expecting it. I was nauseous for the rest of the day.
 
Coppersmith said:
I didn't say he was scrimping on charger outlets. He was using the adapter for several weeks while he was waiting for me to install charging outlets. I have since installed three: One outside his office next to his parking spot, and one in each of his two garages at two different residences.

BTW, he gave me a ride in his model 3. It went from zero to 60 in like 2 seconds. Scary as hell when you're not expecting it. I was nauseous for the rest of the day.
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You would have never made it my era, driving pre 1970 model vehicles that would also do zero to 60 in like 2 seconds, because back then you also had the fear of the frond end falling out from underneath it to contend with on top of the acceleration rush.... :p

JAP>
 
jap said:
You would have never made it my era, driving pre 1970 model vehicles that would also do zero to 60 in like 2 seconds, because back then you also had the fear of the frond end falling out from underneath it to contend with on top of the acceleration rush.... :p

JAP>
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I wouldn't say someone would have never made it then, I would have enjoyed zero to 60 in two seconds much more 30 years ago then now.

There is also a difference between expecting such a rapid acceleration and suddenly and unexpectedly doing it.
 
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