Model 3 Charging in Australia

[retsil]

Hi,

I’ve got two quotes for installing a HPWC and they differ by about 2.5x. The more expensive quote has included recommendations from the most recent version of electrical standards (AS/NZS 3000.2018).

There is a mention on another thread about type B rcds being required for HPWC installs. The type B rcds detect and prevent both DC and AC leakage. The general idea of the rcd is that they protect against a miswiring or malfunction of the HPWC. However, something would have to be very wrong for the DC battery terminals in the car to make a circuit which goes beyond the HPWC.

These safety features are nice to have, however, they are arguably not necessary under current regulations. I intend to investigate further, keeping in mind the cost of the overall job, versus the benefit of being compliant with future regulations.

Any feedback would be most welcome.

 

[Techno-phile]

Hi,

I’ve got two quotes for installing a HPWC and they differ by about 2.5x. The more expensive quote has included recommendations from the most recent version of electrical standards (AS/NZS 3000.2018).

There is a mention on another thread about type B rcds being required for HPWC installs. The type B rcds detect and prevent both DC and AC leakage. The general idea of the rcd is that they protect against a miswiring or malfunction of the HPWC. However, something would have to be very wrong for the DC battery terminals in the car to make a circuit which goes beyond the HPWC.

These safety features are nice to have, however, they are arguably not necessary under current regulations. I intend to investigate further, keeping in mind the cost of the overall job, versus the benefit of being compliant with future regulations.

Any feedback would be most welcome.

Section P of AS3000:2018 is guidance only and group of owners supported by AEVA and TOCA asked for several corrections.
We did not object or comment on the type B RCD (with DC protection) but only on the restriction to
Mode 2 charging (non hardwired, mobile EVSEs).
The recommendations we put forward last November have supposedly been incorporated in amendment 1 (fixing the typos and errors we identified), but we have not seen a copy yet.
The mandatory version probably will not be issued until 2020.

 

[Techno-phile]

Extract from our submission to the Wiring standards committee:

Section P1.5.3 describes Mode 2 charging from an approved power outlet. Drivers would normally carry with them a mobile charge control unit (referred to as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, or EVSE) which enables them to plug into a single phase or three-phase socket, rated at up to 32 amps. The EVSE provides the necessary protection from earth faults, overcurrent events and has temperature sensing on the conductors. However, section P5.3 specifies that the current must not exceed 20 amps – contradicting the earlier statement about being able to charge from a 32 amp supply. Most on-board EV chargers are capable of charging at 32 amps and 250 volts AC. Limiting this to 20 amps would be a significant inconvenience for drivers, adding hours to their recharge time. In order for EV uptake to be widespread and rapid, the AEVA has been supporting the installation of weatherproof 32 amp, three-phase sockets in regional and remote locations around Australia. Drivers may use these as charge points in the absence of a dedicated EV charge point, provided they use their mobile EVSE. The AEVA believes that charging infrastructure should be safe, convenient and provided at the lowest cost practical. We believe that the ability to recharge a vehicle from a single phase 15 amp, or three-phase, 32 amp socket with the appropriate EVSE should be preserved, particularly as EV charging infrastructure is relatively sparse in regional and remote locations.

 

[Grenadine]

Nice work techno-phile!

 

[Shrike_AU]

Copy of the electrical standards that someone was looking for.

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/preview/308668721531.pdf?sku=98926_SAIG_AS_AS_208028

 

[Chenkers]

Copy of the electrical standards that someone was looking for.

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/preview/308668721531.pdf?sku=98926_SAIG_AS_AS_208028

The preview will only give you the contents. You need to subscribe to get the full document including the relevant EV charging section, whicjh is Appendix P.

 

[Shrike_AU]

Bummer.

Stuff like that should be free.

 

[Chenkers]

Pages from Appendix P:

 

[sczsimos]

Pages from Appendix P:

So can anyone tel me (not an electrical engineer) does my hpwc install in Sydney need a type b rcd or not?

 

[Hairyman]

So can anyone tel me (not an electrical engineer) does my hpwc install in Sydney need a type b rcd or not?

Try Duncan Kerr Electrical. They put in a lot of Tesla home charging gear in Sydney and Newcastle

 

[Dakah3]

Has anyone got a copy of the HPWC install guide that I can pass onto electrician who is doing my install, as the Tesla link for home charging installation appears to be broken for me?

 

[meloccom]

Has anyone got a copy of the HPWC install guide that I can pass onto electrician who is doing my install, as the Tesla link for home charging installation appears to be broken for me?

The Installation Manual for the wall Connector should be in the My Documents section of your Tesla account.
Click the Manage button for your car and scroll down.
If it’s not there ask your delivery specialist to put it there for you.
The one in my account is dated 2016 so may be out of date but if you want it send me your email by starting a conversation.

 

[miimura]

Has anyone got a copy of the HPWC install guide that I can pass onto electrician who is doing my install, as the Tesla link for home charging installation appears to be broken for me?

This page appears to have all versions and all languages of the Wall Connector installation manuals.

Installation Manuals - Wall Connector

 

[Hairyman]

So my 3 pin caravan plug adaptor arrived today.

Just need the Model 3 attachment to see how it goes.

 

[PJF000]

So my 3 pin caravan plug adaptor arrived today.

Just need the Model 3 attachment to see how it goes. View attachment 450260

The black end should plug into the UMC as a tail (take the 10 amp tail out)

 

[Hairyman]

The black end should plug into the UMC as a tail (take the 10 amp tail out)

Ta

 

[raynewman]

So my 3 pin caravan plug adaptor arrived today.

Just need the Model 3 attachment to see how it goes. View attachment 450260

Please post a photo showing the black plug end on.

 

[Hairyman]

Please post a photo showing the black plug end on.

 

[djayz]

Can you also provide us with some more details on the plug? Where from and how much? And I presume it is compatible with Gen 2 of the UMC not just the Gen 1?

 

[Hairyman]

Can you also provide us with some more details on the plug? Where from and how much? And I presume it is compatible with Gen 2 of the UMC not just the Gen 1?

Tesla MX Charging cables has the details and some links. I paid USD85 plus USD40 for postage. The Australian source I mention in the link will probably provide better value (postage if nothing else) if you have time to wait