I’ve noticed issues like this crop up when I was using the 14-50 and tripping the breaker fixed them. I now have a TWC hardwired with a 60a breaker than has worked all of 30 minutes before shutting off due to the breaker itself getting to over 150 degrees. Electrician is waiting j a new 60a breaker to replace it, so I’m back to using the mobile charger on the 14-50 in the meantime. I cannot catch a break…
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Master Thread: Definitive 14-50 NEMA Outlet Guide
- Thread starter gilscales
- Start date
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
If it's not a faulty breaker, that suggests you have a problem in your wiring given your whole history with problems. The Wall Connector pulls 48A max.
It could also be because your panel/wiring is in a location where the panel/wire itself gets hot from solar heating, in which case there is no easy direct solution (maybe there are panels available for such applications) or just live with it tripping in hot weather.
This is using new 4/2 romex wiring as required for a 60a breaker. I got told today that they are expecting the new breaker tomorrow so crossing my fingers. The breaker box is on the south side of my house but technically would get the sun directly on it until late afternoon.
I thought that went into effect when the law was signed? So ~August 15th 2022 and on.
I checked on this when i bought new energy eff appliances. Jan 1 2023 was the date for those.
New video from Sandy Munro on using 14-50s for charging. TL;DR, they echo many of the comments in this thread about using cheapo box-box store 14-50 receptacles, and recommend the high end Hubbell (and Bryant) versions instead. Better yet, hard wire the EVSE. Also comments about bus bar capacity in breaker panels, and how many panels are not up to the job.
Jeremy3292
Active Member
Amazon has the Hubbell 14-50R for $88.63 now just FYI, lowest I've seen in a long time.
Sample size of 1: I've been using a P&S 14-50 for years, at a full 40 amps via a Gen 1 UMC, and it hasn't been a problem. It was installed by the electrician when we did our solar system. I didn't give a thought to the brand of receptacle at the time.
Jeremy3292
Active Member
Pass & Seymour is about average quality, maybe slightly above average. Not terrible. Not great.
They all look about the same from the front, looking at the back you can see the lugs and if they appear flimsy or stout.
It is a Legrand Pass & Seymour 3894.
Looks like it has good contacts to the plug blades (full size brass). There seem to be no photos online of the back side showing how the wires attach. If it has screw-down connections like most outlets, the care used in installation is important (i.e. so that the wire stays under the screw and in contact with the backing plate when the screw is tightened).
Actually, they do not all look about the same from the front. The Leviton 279-S00 has plug blade contacts that are steel and only half size; this is visible by looking into the plug holes. Most other outlets have full size brass contacts. The Leviton 279-S00 tends to get hot at high (greater than about 30A) currents because of this. See post #60 of this thread for a photo of the Leviton 279-S00 showing the half size steel contacts.
The back side will show how the wires are connected. Most outlets use screw-down connections, which are OK if care is used in installation. The Hubbell 9450A and Bryant 9450FR outlets have a plate clamping mechanism that makes installing the wires easy and less prone to error, which is a nice-to-have thing, though careful installation of screw-down connections works OK. Poor installation of screw-down connections will result in higher resistance and heat, though it may not be as detectable at the plug head like heat at the plug blade contacts.
Jeremy3292
Active Member
Posting again in case anyone needs it:
Best bang for your buck here @ $46. Bryant = Hubbell = top of the line.
Best bang for your buck here @ $46. Bryant = Hubbell = top of the line.
davewill
Active Member
I have both that one, and the 6-50 version. They are built fairly well, and I've had no complaints. The 6-50 has been in service for 10 years charging EVs with no signs of heating or other failure.
Gauss Guzzler
Safety Score = 42
Yeah, pretty much. The mobile charger isn't the equivalent of a jerry can that you'd use for safari adventures, it's just a convenience for certain travel destinations - not something you'd literally use "on the road". For example, when staying at a mountain cabin, you may find it more convenient to slow charge overnight than to stop for lunch at a roadside fast charger out by the highway. But be aware that there's a good chance that mountain cabin electrical system won't be up to the task anyway.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good outlet that supports AL wiring? I was about to order the Bryant 9450FR as it's highly recommended before I found out that is copper only. My home is prewired 50A w/ aluminum.
Also, do you think this install is DIY friendly for an electrical newbie? I've watched some install videos and it seem relatively straightforward. The only part I'm confused about is how to handle grounding. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Here is what my wiring looks like:
Also, do you think this install is DIY friendly for an electrical newbie? I've watched some install videos and it seem relatively straightforward. The only part I'm confused about is how to handle grounding. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Here is what my wiring looks like:
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