Vehicle car charger receptacle outlet

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Mr. Spinosa

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Tacoma, Washington, USA
I have a customer that wants a 50A receptacle outlet for a vehicle car charger. (I have not installed a branch circuit for a car charger yet.) I am trying to go over the requirements now in the NEC. - I was under the impression that a branch circuit for a car charger had to be GFCI protected but I do not see that in the NEC. (Maybe I am missing something.) I only see that it has to be rated at 125% of the maximum load and that it has to be lockable in accordance with NEC 110.25.

I guess I have a few questions at this point.
1) Does a 50A branch circuit for a car charger require GFCI protection?
2) Is it normally assumed that if the car charger plugs into a 50A receptacle that it will only draw 40A max? (I sent the customer an email requesting more information about the car charger he wants to use.)
3) When speaking of equipment in article 625 I am under the impression that it is not referring to the branch circuit. (625.22 - 2014 NEC - "The equipment shall have a listed system of protection against...")
4) Would anyone mind telling me how they usually handle an installation like this? - I want to make sure it's right the first time. Thanks in advance.
 
Don't forget the signs. Some folks have interpreted the 'or private property' phrase to even include one's own garage!

I have not done any charging station installs, so defer that to others. AFAIK, standard GFCI does not apply, protection needs to be part of listed charger controls.
[h=4]RCW 46.08.185[/h]

[h=4]Electric vehicle charging stations—Signage—Penalty[/h]

(1)
An electric vehicle charging station must be indicated by vertical
signage identifying the station as an electric vehicle charging station
and indicating that it is only for electric vehicle charging. The
signage must be consistent with the manual on uniform traffic control
devices, as adopted by the department of transportation under RCW 47.36.030.
Additionally, the electric vehicle charging station must be indicated
by green pavement markings. Supplementary signage may be posted to
provide additional information including, but not limited to, the amount
of the monetary penalty under subsection (2) of this section for
parking in the station while not connected to the charging equipment.
(2)
It is a parking infraction, with a monetary penalty of one hundred
twenty-four dollars, for any person to park a vehicle in an electric
vehicle charging station provided on public or private property if the
vehicle is not connected to the charging equipment. The parking
infraction must be processed as prescribed under RCW 3.50.100, 35.20.220, 46.16A.120, and * 46.20.270(3).
(3)
For purposes of this section, "electric vehicle charging station" means
a public or private parking space that is served by charging equipment
that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy to a
battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle.
[ 2013 c 60 § 1.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 46.20.270 was amended by 2013 2nd sp.s. c 35 § 17, changing subsection (3) to subsection (2).
 
Mr. Spinosa said:
...
1) Does a 50A branch circuit for a car charger require GFCI protection?
Click to expand...

Not that I'm aware of.

2) Is it normally assumed that if the car charger plugs into a 50A receptacle that it will only draw 40A max? (I sent the customer an email requesting more information about the car charger he wants to use.)
Click to expand...

Yes. At the very least, equipment that will draw 40A needs to be on 50A rated wiring and a 50A breaker.

When speaking of equipment in article 625 I am under the impression that it is not referring to the branch circuit. (625.22 - 2014 NEC - "The equipment shall have a listed system of protection against...")
Click to expand...

I agree. Equipment is not wiring.

4) Would anyone mind telling me how they usually handle an installation like this? - I want to make sure it's right the first time. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I have just done my best to follow the instructions. In my experience they usually are pretty clear about circuit and overcurrent protection requirements.
 
junkhound said:
Don't forget the signs. Some folks have interpreted the 'or private property' phrase to even include one's own garage!

I have not done any charging station installs, so defer that to others. AFAIK, standard GFCI does not apply, protection needs to be part of listed charger controls.
RCW 46.08.185



Electric vehicle charging stations—Signage—Penalty



(1)
An electric vehicle charging station must be indicated by vertical
signage identifying the station as an electric vehicle charging station
and indicating that it is only for electric vehicle charging. The
signage must be consistent with the manual on uniform traffic control
devices, as adopted by the department of transportation under RCW 47.36.030.
Additionally, the electric vehicle charging station must be indicated
by green pavement markings. Supplementary signage may be posted to
provide additional information including, but not limited to, the amount
of the monetary penalty under subsection (2) of this section for
parking in the station while not connected to the charging equipment.
(2)
It is a parking infraction, with a monetary penalty of one hundred
twenty-four dollars, for any person to park a vehicle in an electric
vehicle charging station provided on public or private property if the
vehicle is not connected to the charging equipment. The parking
infraction must be processed as prescribed under RCW 3.50.100, 35.20.220, 46.16A.120, and * 46.20.270(3).
(3)
For purposes of this section, "electric vehicle charging station" means
a public or private parking space that is served by charging equipment
that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy to a
battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle.
[ 2013 c 60 § 1.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 46.20.270 was amended by 2013 2nd sp.s. c 35 § 17, changing subsection (3) to subsection (2).
Click to expand...

This does not apply to a single resident, does it??
 
Mr. Spinosa said:
..........................
4) Would anyone mind telling me how they usually handle an installation like this? - I want to make sure it's right the first time. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I follow the circuit and installation requirements based on the instructions that come from the manufacturer. But generally install a 50A circuit either with a receptacle and a plug-in charger or a local disconnect and hardwire charger. There are some height requirements that may be manufacturer specific.
 
What year code are you going by. If 2014 I think you do not need the "lockable feature " unless over 60 amps.
 
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