Installation of home charging point for electric car.

[HappyHippyDad]

Evening all.

I have been asked to quote for an electric car charging point. The customer has specifically asked for a 32A commando socket to be fitted.

I have not fitted a home charging point before and was hoping to hear how some of you guys had done it as reading literature on it there seems to be varying ideas.

I have not been to see the customer yet although I 'think' his present earthing system is a TT as I have been there before. If I am wrong and it is PME am I right in thinking that the charge point would need its own seperate TT (if the charge point is outside)? This is what is mentioned in a copy of Wiring matters.

I would put it on its own dedicated circuit on a 32A type B MCB and if no RCD protection would provide it.

Cheers.

Ps.. I will get around to changing my avatar back!!! But at present GLENN I cannot find the previous picture that I used, i'll get you back one day :13:

 

[Leesparkykent]

Evening all.

I have been asked to quote for an electric car charging point. The customer has specifically asked for a 32A commando socket to be fitted.

I have not fitted a home charging point before and was hoping to hear how some of you guys had done it as reading literature on it there seems to be varying ideas.

I have not been to see the customer yet although I 'think' his present earthing system is a TT as I have been there before. If I am wrong and it is PME am I right in thinking that the charge point would need its own seperate TT (if the charge point is outside)? This is what is mentioned in a copy of Wiring matters.

I would put it on its own dedicated circuit on a 32A type B MCB and if no RCD protection would provide it.

Cheers.

Ps.. I will get around to changing my avatar back!!! But at present GLENN I cannot find the previous picture that I used, i'll get you back one day :13:

have a look at 722.411.4.1 and the whole of section 722 is worth a read. page 279 BYB

 

[davesparks]

Are you installing a charger or just a socket to feed a charger?
The RCD requirement is a different type to the usual RCD so even if there is already RCD protection you'll probably need to provide additional protection

 

[Dave OCD]

This may be for an 'on board' charging system perhaps ?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Are you installing a charger or just a socket to feed a charger?
The RCD requirement is a different type to the usual RCD so even if there is already RCD protection you'll probably need to provide additional protection

yes 722.531.2.101

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I thought the requirement to TT, only applied to street furniture, not home charging?

 

[uksparks]

I would highly recommend the Rolex chargers, very good, they have a built in RCD too. Nice bit of kit.

when you quote or buy one, find out what car is going on it as you will need to know which type it is, Tyoe 1 or Type 2, it depends if it's Japanese or European.

HHD, I've fitted a few and know what im doing with them.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I thought the requirement to TT, only applied to street furniture, not home charging?

one way of complying with a TN system is to connect a rod to the MET so the rms voltage between the MET and Earth does not exceed 70V.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Are you installing a charger or just a socket to feed a charger?
The RCD requirement is a different type to the usual RCD so even if there is already RCD protection you'll probably need to provide additional protection

My title should have been accurate. The client has specifically asked for the commando socket so I'm assuming he must have the charger that's intended to be used.

 

[davesparks]

Then that will tell you which type of install it is when you look at the appropriate section in the regs.
From there you can read the requirements for your install

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I would highly recommend the Rolex chargers, very good, they have a built in RCD too. Nice bit of kit.

when you quote or buy one, find out what car is going on it as you will need to know which type it is, Tyoe 1 or Type 2, it depends if it's Japanese or European.

HHD, I've fitted a few and know what im doing with them.

I've read a little about the different types of charging systems however this chap is just asking for the 32a commando socket. Do you always fit the charger UK or have you sometimes just been asked for the electric point as the car has an on-board charger as Dave mentioned?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

This may be for an 'on board' charging system perhaps ?

I'm guessing it must be Dave. The client is very articulate and knows what he wants but I'd like some more info.

 

[uksparks]

I have always fitted a charger with the correct outlet for a car, I'm not aware of an option that would allow you to connect a car to a 32A commando socket, it doesn't seem right.

all EV cars as far as I am aware have a type 1 or type 2 inlet and you need a suitable lead, and non or them go to a commando socket, I would 100% clarify exactly what it is is being plugged in.

 

[uksparks]

Just to add, if it was just on a normal commando socket, it would allow you to just pull it out without turning it off which is why you use the correct lead

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I believe the Gwiz cars use a commando lead and plug.
Not sure, but I think it's 16A?

 

[uksparks]

I'm not sure.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Are you installing a charger or just a socket to feed a charger?
The RCD requirement is a different type to the usual RCD so even if there is already RCD protection you'll probably need to provide additional protection

yes 722.531.2.101

That could be interesting to accomplish if the CU is a dual RCD board. 722.531.2.101 states protected 'individually' by an RCD! You could easily add another RCD to protect just that point (to meet the reg) but then theres no discrimination so it would be pointless.

 

[davesparks]

That could be interesting to accomplish if the CU is a dual RCD board. 722.531.2.101 states protected 'individually' by an RCD! You could easily add another RCD to protect just that point (to meet the reg) but then theres no discrimination so it would be pointless.

That is one of the problems with dual RCD boards.
You cannot add another RCD as you suggest because then it would not be protected individually, the RCD at the cu would still be shared.
You will have to come from a non-RCD way or a seperate CU.

 

[davesparks]

I have always fitted a charger with the correct outlet for a car, I'm not aware of an option that would allow you to connect a car to a 32A commando socket, it doesn't seem right.

all EV cars as far as I am aware have a type 1 or type 2 inlet and you need a suitable lead, and non or them go to a commando socket, I would 100% clarify exactly what it is is being plugged in.

A 13A socket to bs1363 or an interlocked commando socket are permitted for AC supplies for charging.

 

[davesparks]

Just to add, if it was just on a normal commando socket, it would allow you to just pull it out without turning it off which is why you use the correct lead

Which might be why the regulations require an interlocked socket