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Any Issues Using GFCI Breakers for Charging Circuit?
- Thread starter RandomSample
- Start date
ucmndd
Well-Known Member
The 2017 NEC is generally interpreted to REQUIRE GFCI on EVSE circuits, so no, it’s not an issue.
GHammer
Dark Star
Despite what NEC says, people have reported issues with having charging circuit on a GFCI. When the connector tests for ground it sends a small current that can trip the GFCI on some breakers.
Before I installed my 220, was using a 20amp 110 GFI. in the three week period the GFI tripped three of those days. One day it tripped like three + times in a row, that was very annoying as the reset was in the basement.
theeskimo
Member
According to the electrician who did my NEMA 14-50 install who has done “countless” other Tesla specific installs in my area, Square D breakers seem to be more tolerant and cause fewer ground faults than any other brand of breaker he had used in an install. So far I have had zero trips while maxing out my mobile connector.
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ElectricIAC
Good-Natured Rascal
Our 14-50 has an Eaton GFCI box which regularly made the Gen2 UMC lose its ever loving mind: My solution? Buy Gen1 UMC and enjoy 40A charging.
I’m aware this isn’t *ideal* but after giving up trying to find a 14-50 plug HWPC or at least a modified one this was the next best thing. For your setup what’s truly stopping you from just going 50A?
I believe California is on the 2014 NEC. Thus, my guess is, GFCI breakers are not required. The Mobile cord -- and I think all Tesla cords -- have some sort of GFCI built in. Thus, as others have pointed out, the cable can cause an external GFCI to trip. Just from what have been reading in several forums. I am not an electrician.
doghousePVD
My grandfather’s car
The NEC code is complicated and appears to be inconsistent. Verify if in your jurisdiction you actually need GFI for your alternate use.
I believe stoves never need GFI. Depending on which NEC is in force most RV plugs (14-50) do not require GFI.
My understanding is all EVSE have built in GFI.
I believe stoves never need GFI. Depending on which NEC is in force most RV plugs (14-50) do not require GFI.
My understanding is all EVSE have built in GFI.
WilliamG
Hinge Fanatic
GPinzone
Member
Are you implying the 2017 NEC was well thought-out? The GFCI requirement was thrown in at the last moment.
BTW, if you tell an electrician you want a NEMA 14-50 outlet installed and don't say why, then what?
rokitnerd
Member
theeskimo
Member
Yep! Still zero issues 1 year and 4000 kWh later
I have a 240V / 50A line (shared between the unused outdoor hot tub and beloved 14-50 in the garage) on a GFCI. Never an issue...
If you are hard-wiring a wall connector, the GFCI is present in the unit, and as such the instructions state that there should not be a GFCI breaker on the circuit, as multiple GFCIs can cause unexpected trips, as some have reported here.
A prior resident of a friend's home had a 14-50 plug installed outdoors for mobile charging, which did require a GFCI to pass inspection, but then swapped in a non-GFCI breaker to avoid that issue. She then used that outlet and a 50A cable (normally used for electric stoves, presumably) to hook up her wall connector, and hasn't had any issues. As I don't have 240V available at home, I'm quite grateful for this
ucmndd
Well-Known Member
Yes, I agree. I think my statement is still accurate but your clarification is good - 2017 NEC requires GFCI on circuits intended for EV charging. Whether that's provided internally by a hard-wired EVSE or via a GFCI breaker on a circuit with a receptacle is immaterial, but you probably don't want both.
No, that's not true. (I just noticed I accidentally gave an informative mark on your comment from before, when it wasn't accurate.)
It is not for CIRCUITS used for EV charging. It is very specific in that it states for RECEPTACLES being installed for EV charging. Hard wired devices are excluded from that GFCI breaker requirement completely.
And for people trying to explain it by saying it is because the wall connector has a GFCI built into it, no, that's not the reason, because the mobile connector cable does too. They are the same in that way. The real difference is in how they are physically used. People will be holding a plug with exposed prongs in their hands to push it into a receptacle. There is some potential for shock there. With hard wired units, the wires are hidden, not exposed, and not being handled by people as they use the device, so it doesn't have the shock risk that a plug in device does.
ucmndd
Well-Known Member
Point taken and fair enough - although in practice I'm guessing the difference is immaterial as I don't imagine there's a hard-wired EVSE on the market without built-in GFCI.
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