Multiple Chargers - 1 Disconnect

[Promark5B]

I'm looking at an installation of multiple electric vehicle charging stations in a single location. These chargers will draw > 60A each and are supplied with a 240Vac 1Ph source. I do not believe that the charging units contain an integral over-current protective device (OCPD). My initial layout included a safety switch (fused disconnect that can be locked out) upstream of each charging station. The customer asked about feeding multiple chargers from one disconnect switch, rather than my design showing a disconnect per charger.

Here's the NEC article I'm looking at...
625.23 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 reference doesn't specifically state that each charger requires a separate disconnect; but is it implied? If the charging units do contain integral OCPDs, would one disconnect than be permitted to serve multiple chargers (assuming it is rated appropriately)?

Thanks.

 

[iceworm]

So, exactly what are you looking at? A 250A, 1phase, 240 Volt CB feeding a gutter with taps to each of four chargers. With no OCPD at the termination at the taps, the conductors will be 250kcmil. Can the chargers even accept 250kcmil?

I'd be curious why the customer wants one disconnect for multiple chargers? Another question I would ask is what is our plan to take one charger off-line for repair and leave the others on-line?

The reference doesn't specifically state that each charger requires a separate disconnect; but is it implied? ...

Probably, but before I worried about the legal issue of the code, I'd be more concerned about the design meeting spec for safety, operability, and reliability. Usually, once those are met, the design is way past any legal issue.

... If the charging units do contain integral OCPDs, would one disconnect than be permitted to serve multiple chargers (assuming it is rated appropriately)?

Yes, that will eliminate the legal issue. - and still not be workable. See paragraph one and two of this post.

Just curious, how many chargers are we talking? Sometimes the magnitude of the issue limits the options.

ice

 

[Promark5B]

Thanks for the reply...

I'd be curious why the customer wants one disconnect for multiple chargers? Another question I would ask is what is our plan to take one charger off-line for repair and leave the others on-line?

It's a test site for a fleet. I think they are looking at cost alone. My plan (didn't mention in original post) a 3-phase system feeding a wire trough with taps to each charging station. I originally planned for each tap to run through a fused disconnect next to the charging equipment...the question about ganging groups of chargers to a single disconnect was asked. Repairs would require a group of chargers to be taken off line (again - it's a test site). The chargers would still be 1-phase each, and those would be balanced across the 3-phase supply as appropriate.

 

[Promark5B]

Sorry - forgot a few of your questions.

There'd probably be somewhere between 9-15 charging stations - not decided yet. You are correct - the conductor size would not benefit from the tap rule if there's no OCPD at the load. I haven't seen the chargers, but am sure they won't accept a 250 kcmil conductor. I'm thinking that I need to stick with the fused disconnect (or equivalent) to protect each station and have a lockable disconnect near each station for servicing.