NEMA 14-50R receptacle for electric vehicle

J

JDB13

Member
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Occupation
electrician
A friend has bought an electric truck. The specs require a NEMA 14-50r outlet. His is an older house with 3 wire SEU type cable feeding the inside panel. Outside is single breaker feeding this. Would this work?
I started in the trade in 1973, but this electric vehicle charging is something I have not messed with.
Thanks in advance!
 
Do not use a standard receptacle. Use one of the two brands that are marked for EV, but they are expensive. The 2026 code requires the receptacle to be listed listed for EV use, but that listing standard is not complete yet, so there are no listed EV receptacles.
The two currently marked for EV are of heavier duty construction. In the case of Hubbell, it is their industrial duty receptacle that has been on the marked for decades and marked for EV use.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Do not use a standard receptacle. Use one of the two brands that are marked for EV, but they are expensive. The 2026 code requires the receptacle to be listed listed for EV use, but that listing standard is not complete yet, so there are no listed EV receptacles.
The two currently marked for EV are of heavier duty construction. In the case of Hubbell, it is their industrial duty receptacle that has been on the marked for decades and marked for EV use.
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WOW ! So by 2026 code, the receptacle should be listed for an EV ? The friend just said that a NEMA 14-50R was required ?
 
JDB13 said:
WOW ! So by 2026 code, the receptacle should be listed for an EV ? The friend just said that a NEMA 14-50R was required ?
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As I said, since the listing standard is not yet published there are no listed EV receptacles. The change was based on field reports of multiple standard receptacles failing (burning up, and in some cases actual structure fires) when used for EV loads. If you pick up one of the standard ones and one of the two that are currently marked EV, you will notice there is a substantial weight difference and a better design of the wire termination points.
 
JDB13 said:
WOW ! So by 2026 code, the receptacle should be listed for an EV ? The friend just said that a NEMA 14-50R was required ?
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Most uses in the past for this particular configuration had potential heavy loading only for short periods of time. EV charging would typically have longer demand period which many can not take and there been many meltdowns because of it.
 
JDB13 said:
The friend just said that a NEMA 14-50R was required ?
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Many EVSE units are made so that you can remove the short 1 foot pigtail (with the 14-50 plug) and hardwire it. Just something to consider.

If you choose to use the 14-50R...

Here is a picture I posted back in 2024 of 2 receptacles , new and old...


1758070234041.jpeg


Like Don said in post#7, everything about the newer ones is bigger / better.

The new (taller) one is a Leviton #14-50R-B0 (that's B-zero). It's an almost identical copy of the Hubbell HBL9450A. Much improved clamping features(s), instead of a single screw bearing into the wire. Marked for Cu only, with 75 in-lbs spec for torque (vs 25 for the old one). $40 at most any big box store.

The old Leviton is on the right (#279). Been around for ages and is "Value Engineered" like crazy. Meaning there is a reason it costs only $11. Works just fine for electric stoves that cycle on and off. Can work less fine for an EV that draws substantial current for 10 straight hours.

Also be aware, the cover plate circle is bigger for the newer "EV" 14-50R. For a 4 & 11 square box, the RACO part# is 888 for a raised surface mount cover. My supply house does not stock this part, but had one next day from the warehouse. This cover is NOT commonly used.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
The Hubbell one is not a new product...it has been on the market for decades as there industrial duty one...no change in design...just a new marking for EV use.
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Thanks and you are correct. I meant to indicate the Leviton one is new.

And it is such a crazy identical copy of the Hubbell one you refer to. Captured cage for the wire with a plate that presses down using an Allen screw. Like they say... "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
 
While the heavier duty receptacles are a plus the only pictures I have seen of failed receptacles is the Leviton. When they redesigned their power receptacles years back they never should have been able to get listed. I would not trust them for a range or dryer load let alone an EV.

We have never had a call back on any of the Legrand receptacles we have installed for EV's and I have never seen any pictures of Legrand or Cooper receptacles failing.
 
MD Automation said:
Thanks and you are correct. I meant to indicate the Leviton one is new.

And it is such a crazy identical copy of the Hubbell one you refer to. Captured cage for the wire with a plate that presses down using an Allen screw. Like they say... "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
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must be enough difference that there are no patent issues, of maybe the Hubbell one is old enough that the patent ran out
 
Just my two cents....

Just tell your friend to buy a level 2 charger.

Between the price for the ev outlet and the GFCI circuit breaker he'd be better off.

Depending on the existing load he can get the full 48 amp of charging also.
 
Check out
For tons of photos of failed EV receptacles.
If you head over there you'll get advice generally to hard-wire the EVSE at these power levels.

You'll get the same advice from me.
Many of the EVSE are dual listed for exactly that option : you can use a supplied cord or remove the cord and go direct.
Sell the one he got (eBay or Craig's List) and get the right thing.

A hard wired EVSE requires only three wires: hot hot and ground (not neutral). It's chock full of safety features, sort of a super GFCI in effect. Let it do it's full job and permanently wire it if you at all can.

-----------------------
What model of EVSE, type of truck, amperages involved?
 
Joe Villani said:
Just my two cents....

Just tell your friend to buy a level 2 charger.

Between the price for the ev outlet and the GFCI circuit breaker he'd be better off.

Depending on the existing load he can get the full 48 amp of charging also.
Click to expand...
Level 2 simply means 240VAC. It can be hard-wired or cord & plug.
 
curt swartz said:
While the heavier duty receptacles are a plus the only pictures I have seen of failed receptacles is the Leviton. When they redesigned their power receptacles years back they never should have been able to get listed. I would not trust them for a range or dryer load let alone an EV.

We have never had a call back on any of the Legrand receptacles we have installed for EV's and I have never seen any pictures of Legrand or Cooper receptacles failing.
Click to expand...
Have replaced 2 of the “standard” Leviton receptacles in the last few months.

Both were in scenarios where charging was demanding meaning extensive hours daily.

I don’t know if the connections were properly torqued when they were installed. Both appeared to have more heat distortion on the screw area vs the actual blades.

Both were in service about a year +/-

One was set for 40A the other I believe was 32A.
 
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