Thanks. I should have thought to look there. The install guide has a bunch of warnings, like this one:
View attachment 98586
That looks to me like its shouldn't be installed outdoors, because even dew forming on it would constitute "moisture" which it "must be protected from". I wonder how much of those warnings would ever be enforced.
It would seem that particular text is confusing to the user that does not typically evaluate the interior appearance of the wall charger: "Protect the WC... at all times. If any exist or appear to have entered, damaged, or corroded the Wall Connector, do not use...".
However, for the installer or electrical inspector (AHJ) this statement is telling them the Wall Charger should be protected before installation, during installation and the case should remain sealed while in use, therefore none of the referenced conditions (moisture, water, liquid, foreign objects, corrosion) are allowed inside or should never appeared to have entered the Wall Connector.
Having gone through a UL Listing review process (many comment and rewrite cycles) to meet the requirements of a UL Standard (EVSE UL2594), the UL standard review process can include adding text to the User/Installation Manual that seem redundant, confusing, obvious, unnecessary, etc, to the casual/critical reader or user but strategically necessary to get the manual accepted/approved. Kind of like the NEC, not an ideal document but at least it is accepted/approved!!
In Tesla's defense; you can be sure the Tesla Wall Connector Installation Manual is a collaborative effort with recommendation from several UL Standards reviewers and therefore is not a solely authored Tesla document.
As for enforcement:
1. Tesla cares, as if they do not enforce the current accepted/approved conditions of use requirements (i.e., build an adapter that allows using the WC to charging other manufacture cars) they could loose the current UL listing and the Wall Connector could no longer be installed/used under the NEC requirements. UL has the power to force a product recall!!
2. UL cares, as they have listed the product based on their product standards and Tesla's written instruction that define the installation requirement and conditions of use. UL has a follow-up program that reviews actual failures that are brought to their attention, unapproved modifications to the WC and conditions of use.
3. Insurance Co. cares, If something should happen (fire, electric shock, etc.) that is associated with the WC, the installation/conditions of use will be examined and any use outside the written conditions of use will most likely drive the insurance companies decisions on liability, so they will care!!
4. User's should care, however some would seem to project, they paid for it, it is theirs to do with as they please; however nothing is further from the truth..