Simple Switch for load sharing

[tom baker]

simpleSwitch | EVEMS & Smart Load Management for EV Chargers

simpleSwitch is a smart load management device and EVEMS system for EV chargers and appliances. Safely share power without costly panel upgrades.

simpleswitch.io

This device allows load sharing for an EV or dryer, range.
I checked and it’s UL listed.
It was in a Facebook ad I saw.
Perhaps a solution for panels with limited ckts or ampacit

 

[tom baker]

And let’s not get off into ev vs gas.
Remember us moderators are volunteers and we don’t need to edit out inappropriate comments
Comments on how this would would would work, etc

 

[letgomywago]

I've heard about things like this being common in Canada as a way to add electric heat in areas with 60 and 100 amp services. I'm all for making it simple but I want this to have gfi built in so it wouldn't need a hot tub disconnect next to it. If it's on the dryer circuit that would work out.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

I looked over the spec sheet.
I find it interesting.
I also can see many applications for it's use.

 

[Little Bill]

How do you combine a dyer that is typically 30A with a 50A car charger or 50A welder?
Simply put, how do you share two different amperages from the same line?

 

[James L]

I don't know how they figure a 4-wire RV can run off a 3-wure air conditioner circuit

 

[James L]

How do you combine a dyer that is typically 30A with a 50A car charger or 50A welder?
Simply put, how do you share two different amperages from the same line?

I thought the same

 

[wwhitney]

How do you combine a dyer that is typically 30A with a 50A car charger or 50A welder?
Simply put, how do you share two different amperages from the same line?

Use 50A OCPD to supply the Simple Switch, and then use 30A OCPD between the Simple Switch and the dryer.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[LarryFine]

It monitors the current of the primary load and determines when it's low enough to add the secondary load.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Spec sheet.
Like with anything you have to use common sense.

 

[LarryFine]

How do you combine a dyer that is typically 30A with a 50A car charger or 50A welder?
Simply put, how do you share two different amperages from the same line?

Maybe you have to configure the charger to 30a.

Added: Yep, I guessed correctly.

 

[tom baker]

How do you combine a dyer that is typically 30A with a 50A car charger or 50A welder?
Simply put, how do you share two different amperages from the same line?

I

How do you combine a dyer that is typically 30A with a 50A car charger or 50A welder?
Simply put, how do you share two different amperages from the same line?

its only one of two loads at a time. One is primary, ie range, other ie ev or hot tub

 

[wwhitney]

its only one of two loads at a time. One is primary, ie range, other ie ev or hot tub

Right, but if the primary and secondary require different size OCPD, then you will need to supply the switch with the larger OCPD, and use a smaller OCPD between the switch and the smaller load.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Little Bill]

Use 50A OCPD to supply the Simple Switch, and then use 30A OCPD between the Simple Switch and the dryer.

Cheers, Wayne

It doesn't say anything about adding extra OCPD. I know how you can protect something with correct wire and OCPD but this (as far as I can tell) doesn't address adding anything, other than JB, troughs, etc. And those would just be for wiring.

 

[James L]

its only one of two loads at a time. One is primary, ie range, other ie ev or hot tub

The info says it can be both loads if the primary load is less than 240w

 

[jaggedben]

This idea has been mentioned before on the forum and there are least two other companies producing more or less the same thing. (Splitvolt and Neocharge.)

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

I don't know how they figure a 4-wire RV can run off a 3-wure air conditioner circuitView attachment 2563691

It can be done if you ac requires a 50 amp max breaker and the wire from the smart switch is three wire to ac unit. Then the electrician changes the the wire from the panle to the smart switch from three wire to four wire. Then run your four wire to the RV plug.
Not saying it's what to do just saying it can be done.

If max fuse/ breaker was 30 40 etc then supplemental would be required after the smart switch to protect the existing branch circuit conductors.
In this example a fused / breaker ac disconnect would satisfy this requirement.
This would make for a pretty ugly install.

My only issue by doing this would the branch circuit now become a feeder based on tap. Would any tap rules apply. Or is this simply a shared load on a branch circuit.
Would this no longer be a dedicated branch circuit.

So now it's time to start reading what code might apply to an install. In order to be code compliant.

New twist on the old add a wire to the dryer recpt poke thru wall and add recpt for compressor or hook a cord into the ac disc for the RV in back yard.

 

[wwhitney]

It doesn't say anything about adding extra OCPD.

Sure, but that would be a logical consequence for some installations. If you have a primary 40A hardwired stove, and secondary electric dryer that's cord and plug connected with a 14-30 receptacle, you obviously can't protect the 30A receptacle with a 40A breaker. So you'd need a 30A OCPD between the Simple Switch and the 30A receptacle.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Did a quick look at 422.10 (B)
And 210.32.
Ummm

 

[letgomywago]

It can be done if you ac requires a 50 amp max breaker and the wire from the smart switch is three wire to ac unit. Then the electrician changes the the wire from the panle to the smart switch from three wire to four wire. Then run your four wire to the RV plug.
Not saying it's what to do just saying it can be done.

If max fuse/ breaker was 30 40 etc then supplemental would be required after the smart switch to protect the existing branch circuit conductors.
In this example a fused / breaker ac disconnect would satisfy this requirement.
This would make for a pretty ugly install.

My only issue by doing this would the branch circuit now become a feeder based on tap. Would any tap rules apply. Or is this simply a shared load on a branch circuit.
Would this no longer be a dedicated branch circuit.

So now it's time to start reading what code might apply to an install. In order to be code compliant.

New twist on the old add a wire to the dryer recpt poke thru wall and add recpt for compressor or hook a cord into the ac disc for the RV in back yard.

I feel that this would be treated by the code if addressed ever as 2 dedicated circuits that don't run concurrently such as in load calcs when calculating heat and ac loads or counting current carrying conductors in a raceway. There is also the current push in the industry to go towards electrification (apart from politics it is the current market trend to make electrification easier and more common to consumers) this could push to make things more permissive. Now this last reason doesn't always apply like the shortage of housing does not push the expanded afci/gfci or outside disconnect rules out of the way in the NEC or in my state's current amendments but it has in other nearby states amendments.


Last point. In the field my inspector would say 1 is it listed and not just recognized and 2 what do the instructions say? This is more on the practical side.