hdkeith
New User
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
- Occupation
- IT
Some background:
I have done my own minor electrical work for 40 years. I read and try to understand NEC code to follow. I am not always perfect, but anywhere I may have flirted with code I always felt safe. All my work has been 10-14AWG 120V outlet type work. I have 150 amp service and years ago hired an electrician to put a new 200 amp capable panel (with 150 amp breaker). The county I live in is still on the NEC 2017 code.
This year we bought an EV and I need to run a NEMA 14-50 outlet. My basement is unfinished and has 10 foot ceilings. The main panel is surface mounted in the basement. The NEMA 14-50 was about 35 foot run end to end. I ran up behind the main panel (had to exit bottom of panel as top was jammed full) then drilled holes through the joists to fish the NM-B 6/3. Drilled a hole through the wall headers to bring the 6/3 down between the studs. I used a 50AMP breaker in the main. I opted against GFCI becasue 1. was not needed by code and 2. knew I was going to convert to hardwiring the charger at some point.
Roll the clock forward 6 months (today) and we purchased another EV. I want to add a seperate second charger. I converted the 6/3 run to the 14-50 to a 10AMP (rated) subpanel with 6 positions. I put a 50 AMP breaker in the subpanel and left the 50AMP in the MAIN. I then ran a small section to the NEMA 14-5.
The wall chargers have a power sharing option that will assure they will not pull more than 40 amps combined. I also want the option to run either independently, knowing if I try to run them both without power sharing I would trip the breaker in the main. I am fine with that as we only charge each car 1-2 times a week.
Now for some questions, and correct me if I am wrong:
- Best I can tell the 6/3 is good to the subpanel, btu I need to run a separate 6 AWG bare ground back to the main. Will get that done no problem.
- I have read some references that says wire above panel is considered safe so I should not need conduit.
- When I hardwire the existing charger do I need conduit for that short run? Not sure the charger where located is to code with thew subpanel now, may need to move it a stud to the left.
- This is the beig uncertainty. The other charger will be in the center of the garage. I am going to run a 4x4 from the ceiling down to the floor, will mount that garger on the 4x4 and run power donn the 4x4. I need clarity on the part of the code about conduit needing to be Schedule 80 if it can be damaged. If the charger will be 4-5 feet off the ground do I need schedule 80 from the charger to the ceiling then flexible PVC across ceiling and down sub panel or can I run flexible PVC end to end using THHN (red/black/green). I am trying to avoid EMT or rigid PVC becasue the joists and studs don't line up and it would be too many bends/offsets to deal with.
I have read dozens of posts and cna;t find an answer. Then when I look at videos online it sure looks like people run schedule 40. I will probably reach out to the country, but reluctant to open pandora's box with them since my 40 year old home would never pass codes today. When I tried to get 200 amp service I was told my panel would need to be moved so that killed that idea.
This is not done yet, this is just to get the outlet live until I figure out next step. I know I need to secure the 6/3 coming down to the panel.
Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I have done my own minor electrical work for 40 years. I read and try to understand NEC code to follow. I am not always perfect, but anywhere I may have flirted with code I always felt safe. All my work has been 10-14AWG 120V outlet type work. I have 150 amp service and years ago hired an electrician to put a new 200 amp capable panel (with 150 amp breaker). The county I live in is still on the NEC 2017 code.
This year we bought an EV and I need to run a NEMA 14-50 outlet. My basement is unfinished and has 10 foot ceilings. The main panel is surface mounted in the basement. The NEMA 14-50 was about 35 foot run end to end. I ran up behind the main panel (had to exit bottom of panel as top was jammed full) then drilled holes through the joists to fish the NM-B 6/3. Drilled a hole through the wall headers to bring the 6/3 down between the studs. I used a 50AMP breaker in the main. I opted against GFCI becasue 1. was not needed by code and 2. knew I was going to convert to hardwiring the charger at some point.
Roll the clock forward 6 months (today) and we purchased another EV. I want to add a seperate second charger. I converted the 6/3 run to the 14-50 to a 10AMP (rated) subpanel with 6 positions. I put a 50 AMP breaker in the subpanel and left the 50AMP in the MAIN. I then ran a small section to the NEMA 14-5.
The wall chargers have a power sharing option that will assure they will not pull more than 40 amps combined. I also want the option to run either independently, knowing if I try to run them both without power sharing I would trip the breaker in the main. I am fine with that as we only charge each car 1-2 times a week.
Now for some questions, and correct me if I am wrong:
- Best I can tell the 6/3 is good to the subpanel, btu I need to run a separate 6 AWG bare ground back to the main. Will get that done no problem.
- I have read some references that says wire above panel is considered safe so I should not need conduit.
- When I hardwire the existing charger do I need conduit for that short run? Not sure the charger where located is to code with thew subpanel now, may need to move it a stud to the left.
- This is the beig uncertainty. The other charger will be in the center of the garage. I am going to run a 4x4 from the ceiling down to the floor, will mount that garger on the 4x4 and run power donn the 4x4. I need clarity on the part of the code about conduit needing to be Schedule 80 if it can be damaged. If the charger will be 4-5 feet off the ground do I need schedule 80 from the charger to the ceiling then flexible PVC across ceiling and down sub panel or can I run flexible PVC end to end using THHN (red/black/green). I am trying to avoid EMT or rigid PVC becasue the joists and studs don't line up and it would be too many bends/offsets to deal with.
I have read dozens of posts and cna;t find an answer. Then when I look at videos online it sure looks like people run schedule 40. I will probably reach out to the country, but reluctant to open pandora's box with them since my 40 year old home would never pass codes today. When I tried to get 200 amp service I was told my panel would need to be moved so that killed that idea.
This is not done yet, this is just to get the outlet live until I figure out next step. I know I need to secure the 6/3 coming down to the panel.
Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
