While I am waiting for my MS to be built, I am trying to scope out the NEMA 14-50 install. One question that came to my mind is whether people are getting city permits prior to the install? Would appreciate some guidance. Thanks in advance.
I had to get a permit for my install. I figure it's not something I wanted to go under-the-table with, as in the event of something HORRIBLE happening, I want to be covered.
In Santa Monica, CA: We put in a second panel + meter so we definitely had to get a permit. The good news was that $224 of the $225 fee was covered by a gov't program to encourage EV adoption. I think it was a state program, but it may be LA county or maybe even Santa Monica...not sure (the guy behind the counter wasn't clear where the money was coming from, and I didn't want to ask too many questions!).
Only no permit if you do it yourself. If an electrician however does the work, they need a permit. I could do it myself, but figured $300 is worth paying to transfer any liability over to the electricians' insurance instead initially, and later be able to show the inspection report to mine if required. I actually ended up knowing more than the electrician (Yes, you REALLY need a 50A breaker even though the charger says it draws 40A... for crying out loud, that's basic stuff ?? ), so I ended up supervising him, but I still sleep better at night knowing it was done "by the book".
Parts were less than $35 and my quote was ~$800 with a ~$50 permit fee. Took me about 30 minutes to pop in the breaker, route the Romex wire and mount the box. Thanks to FlasherZ!
Weird difference. Mine was $125 for a permit + inspection, and $175 for the labor. (I supplied the parts).
Lucky you. I did the install myself. My parts costs $300. But then again, I had about 110ft run of 6/3 cable from box to garage. Buying 125ft of that is not cheap still cheaper than paying an electrician to do it and getting a permit
No permit needed in Tennessee. I installed myself and it was $125 in parts the vast majority was the 35' of 4 wire #6. I did have to get a permit for the solar panels but at $20 I am not complaining.
Actually, for Seattle and Shoreline (where I live), you technically need a permit but a licensed electrician will just do it for you. Try to stay away from Seattle City Light, they have a completely bureaucratic and inefficient approach. And, if you need to increase your service (say, by 100 Amps) it will take months and require around 6 visits before the work actually happens. Believe it or not, they are actually worse than Comcast for inefficiency. Reminds of a variant on an old joke - Q: What is yellow, has 4 wheels and sleeps 6? A: A Seattle City Light truck. Here's a link to the Seattle permit information http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Publications/CAM/cam132.pdf
Actually, WA state does require a permit if you're doing anything but swapping out an outlet or switch for the same kind: From http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-901 The Labor & Industries site also has a brochure that spells it out pretty clearly: http://www.lni.wa.gov/IPUB/500-078-000.pdf. Any circuit alterations/additions requires a permit. It doesn't matter what city you're in. No city can make their standards less stringent than what L&I requires.
In Ontario, Canada a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority is required whether an electrician does it or you do it yourself. A recent amendment to the Ontario code requires a compulsory inspection for any wiring related to EV charging. On the positive side, there is a Provincial rebate of up to 50% of the costs to a maximum of $1,000 for the installation of any approved EVSE.
The basic rule: check with the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction). In *most* places with permitting laws, permits are required when doing anything other than strict one-for-one replacement. Adding or extending a circuit generally requires a permit where permits are required. If a permit is required, it is required whether you do the work yourself or if you call a licensed electrician. You may need a permit but not require an inspection, as in my county. Or, as in the county to the east of mine, you may not need a permit. In the US, call city hall (if incorporated) or the county zoning office (if not) to check.