EV circuit installation

[Max Headroom]

If it’s anywhere like Atlanta, the permit will be outrageous. I permitted a house at my previous company, City of Atlanta wanted a separate permit for the EV. That permit was more than the permit for the whole house! It’s all a money game.

Out here it’s bad too, $420 to permit a whole house fan but two towns over the EVSE is $98, that’s doable IMO

 

[retirede]

Somebody really needs to figure this EVSE garbage out. ONE way of installing a charger, all the same.

-Hal

95% of them 40A and under use a NEMA 14-50. 100% of those above 40A are hard wired. That’s as good as it gets.

 

[hillbilly1]

The first residential ones I put in were 6-50r GE models. They seem to be fairly durable, because I know of one that’s been in service for at least 10 years now. After a few years I was seeing some 14-50’s, but most 40 amp I put in were commercial hard wired. Eaton required a neutral because they didn’t make a dual volt rated 208-240 volt coil contactor, so they used a 120 volt coil to be universal. The last one I put in used a 14-50, but could have been ordered as a 6-50. Cost the doctor an extra $75 in wire that he didn’t need, but if you can afford to throw money away on an EV, $75 is nothing! LOL!

 

[Max Headroom]

The first residential ones I put in were 6-50r GE models. They seem to be fairly durable, because I know of one that’s been in service for at least 10 years now. After a few years I was seeing some 14-50’s, but most 40 amp I put in were commercial hard wired. Eaton required a neutral because they didn’t make a dual volt rated 208-240 volt coil contactor, so they used a 120 volt coil to be universal. The last one I put in used a 14-50, but could have been ordered as a 6-50. Cost the doctor an extra $75 in wire that he didn’t need, but if you can afford to throw money away on an EV, $75 is nothing! LOL

 

[Max Headroom]

What I heard was some EV drivers carry their EVSE with them when they travel and if necessary they will locate an RV park with NEMA14-50R, I guess the charging station build out is not yet quite enough everywhere.

 

[letgomywago]

What I heard was some EV drivers carry their EVSE with them when they travel and if necessary they will locate an RV park with NEMA14-50R, I guess the charging station build out is not yet quite enough everywhere.

I know of a couple customers of mine who use a very long 6 awg extension cord to charge in their oven outlets out in their cabins and lake houses but they don't know of anyone who'll work that far out in Idaho who'll get them on the schedule to do it right with a charger like their main houses where I've wired them in.

 

[LarryFine]

I know of a couple customers of mine who use a very long 6 awg extension cord to charge in their oven outlets out in their cabins and lake houses but they don't know of anyone who'll work that far out in Idaho who'll get them on the schedule to do it right with a charger like their main houses where I've wired them in.

I'll do it if they'll fly me out.

 

[letgomywago]

I'll do it if they'll fly me out.

Haha honestly they're so rural I'm surprised they haven't gotten someone to side work it but part of why they hired me in WA was because I do stuff by the book and legit so it doesn't affect resale and such.

 

[Max Headroom]

Haha honestly they're so rural I'm surprised they haven't gotten someone to side work it but part of why they hired me in WA was because I do stuff by the book and legit so it doesn't affect resale and such.

 

[Max Headroom]

So generally speaking, what seems to be the preferred wiring method of choice?

 

[letgomywago]

So generally speaking, what seems to be the preferred wiring method of choice?

Favorite is range outlet unless customer purchases the corresponding charger to their vehicle then 60 amp fed to disco with thhn copper and with 4 ser or mc feeder cable to panel from disconnect.

 

[Max Headroom]

Favorite is range outlet unless customer purchases the corresponding charger to their vehicle then 60 amp fed to disco with thhn copper and with 4 ser or mc feeder cable to panel from disconnect.

Ok so 4awg for a 60amp circuit, isn’t 6awg good for 65amp?

 

[letgomywago]

Ok so 4awg for a 60amp circuit, isn’t 6awg good for 65amp?

Al to disconnect copper to charger

 

[Max Headroom]

Favorite is range outlet unless customer purchases the corresponding charger to their vehicle then 60 amp fed to disco with thhn copper and with 4 ser or mc feeder cable to panel from disconnect.

Where is the disco in this scenario, are you referring to the 60A dbl pole breaker in the panel?

 

[Max Headroom]

Al to disconnect copper to charger

Ok I got it, 4awg Al ser cable and then 6 awg cu to the panel

 

[letgomywago]

Where is the disco in this scenario, are you referring to the 60A dbl pole breaker in the panel?

No I use a non code required disconnect next to hardwired vehicle chargers

 

[Max Headroom]

No I use a non code required disconnect next to hardwired vehicle chargers

Ok is that fused ?

 

[Max Headroom]

No I use a non code required disconnect next to hardwired vehicle chargers

Ok so the disco is right next to the EVSE? That seems like a good idea for a circuit of that size, is that common to go that extra step?

 

[hillbilly1]

No I use a non code required disconnect next to hardwired vehicle chargers

I do that because sometimes the chargers lock up, and have to be re-set. With one customer, the panel is on the third floor in a mechanical room. Much easier to just flip it off next to the charging station.

 

[letgomywago]

Ok so the disco is right next to the EVSE? That seems like a good idea for a circuit of that size, is that common to go that extra step?

Not common but a good idea that doesn't cost much more