I'm finishing up installation of myTesla "HPWC" that among other things gets me 48A charging vs 40 I've used on that circuit with a traditional NEMA 14-50 outlet that most of use us. In walks the electrical inspector (I had a permit) and we start talking about electric vehicles and charging them. This is the first such outlet he has run into. I explained that 120V charging is entirely impractical for plug-in automobiles, not to mention small trucks and other vehicles which are coming to market.
He starts scratching his head, and says "You know the National Electric Code is changing so that ground fault protection is required for 208/240 outlets" HUH?? He could not quote me details, but before he gets back for a final, I better know the answers. So I'm doing internet searches and finding a hotly contested matter going on last fall 2016. Apparently the EV manufacturers have made it clear that higher amp and voltage charging is more and more needed. And if this regulation quickly goes into effect and adoption by each state's own code - it will greatly impact selling EV not to mention confuse those who want to buy an EV; set up home charging; or set up destination charging all over the place. In essence any new installation (like the outlet you need for your shiny new EV on the way) will have to be protected like those in a kitchen, bathroom or outdoor outlet. If you use a cable with plug on the end into the wall outlet, this is you.
Sounds like the electrical safety people, fire protection people, Underwriters Lab, etc are not in agreement about this. Supposedly this requirement had already gotten into the code for residential applications, especially when outdoor or damp locations. Due to some uproar, the mandatory Ground Fault Interrupter circuit got removed as a requirement. I'm not sure about other locations than homes. As a retired engineer, I do have some familiarity with circuits and electrical installation both home and commercial at my business. As I plan to travel lots with the Tesla, I don't want to rely on Supercharters. Destination charging is a must.
Does anyone out there know the real skinny ? This means if you bought a "charger" with a line cord (like most on the market) it would not be legal to plug it in without your electrical panel also providing ground fault (tiny current leakage) protection. It is not clear whether fully hard wired systems require this same new code.
We never needed this for our dryer and portable arc welders at 240V for instance. Why now force this on EV owners? How come the EV manufactures are not mentioning this when selling, or in the installation/operation manuals too?
He starts scratching his head, and says "You know the National Electric Code is changing so that ground fault protection is required for 208/240 outlets" HUH?? He could not quote me details, but before he gets back for a final, I better know the answers. So I'm doing internet searches and finding a hotly contested matter going on last fall 2016. Apparently the EV manufacturers have made it clear that higher amp and voltage charging is more and more needed. And if this regulation quickly goes into effect and adoption by each state's own code - it will greatly impact selling EV not to mention confuse those who want to buy an EV; set up home charging; or set up destination charging all over the place. In essence any new installation (like the outlet you need for your shiny new EV on the way) will have to be protected like those in a kitchen, bathroom or outdoor outlet. If you use a cable with plug on the end into the wall outlet, this is you.
Sounds like the electrical safety people, fire protection people, Underwriters Lab, etc are not in agreement about this. Supposedly this requirement had already gotten into the code for residential applications, especially when outdoor or damp locations. Due to some uproar, the mandatory Ground Fault Interrupter circuit got removed as a requirement. I'm not sure about other locations than homes. As a retired engineer, I do have some familiarity with circuits and electrical installation both home and commercial at my business. As I plan to travel lots with the Tesla, I don't want to rely on Supercharters. Destination charging is a must.
Does anyone out there know the real skinny ? This means if you bought a "charger" with a line cord (like most on the market) it would not be legal to plug it in without your electrical panel also providing ground fault (tiny current leakage) protection. It is not clear whether fully hard wired systems require this same new code.
We never needed this for our dryer and portable arc welders at 240V for instance. Why now force this on EV owners? How come the EV manufactures are not mentioning this when selling, or in the installation/operation manuals too?