A/C Whip for EVSE hard wire Connection

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M

maini

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2014
Messages
145
Location
NorCal Bay Area
I am planning to buy the Open EVSE 50A Deluxe version
https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/openevse-50a-charge-station-combo-with-enclosure

The distance between my panel and the ESVE installation point inside my garage is barely 3-4 Feet. Can I use the A/C whip??
http://www.lowes.com/pd_69844-295-55189307___?productId=3616542&pl=1&Ntt=a%2Fc+whip
or
http://www.homedepot.com/p/AFC-Cable-Systems-8-3-in-x-6-ft-Liquidtight-Whip-8017-HD/202286687


What regulations am I breaking?? Any issues people see??


TIA
 
maini said:
I am planning to buy the Open EVSE 50A Deluxe version
https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/openevse-50a-charge-station-combo-with-enclosure

The distance between my panel and the ESVE installation point inside my garage is barely 3-4 Feet. Can I use the A/C whip??
http://www.lowes.com/pd_69844-295-55189307___?productId=3616542&pl=1&Ntt=a%2Fc+whip
or
http://www.homedepot.com/p/AFC-Cable-Systems-8-3-in-x-6-ft-Liquidtight-Whip-8017-HD/202286687


What regulations am I breaking?? Any issues people see??


TIA
Click to expand...

The only issue is to make sure that your circuit is rated for the same amperage as the circuit breaker and that your OpenEVSE pilot is 80% of that. So for example #8 wire is generally rated for 40 amp circuit so a 40 amp circuit breaker would be used and since an EVSE is continous use your OpenEVSE pilot would be set to 32 amps.

FWIW if you are installing this wiring "in the wall" and it can be reasonably expected not to be subject to damage you can buy 10 feet of #6 romex/NM-B at Home Depot/Lowes/Platt/etc. by the foot. #6 would be able to support a 50 amp circuit breaker.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I was under the impression the AWG 8 stranded is enough to support 40Amps current.
Will the AWG 6 stranded be good enough??
 
maini said:
Thanks for the feedback. I was under the impression the AWG 8 stranded is enough to support 40Amps current.
Will the AWG 6 stranded be good enough??
Click to expand...
Correct, #8 can generally support 40 amps and thus would require a 40 amp circuit breaker and because of the 80% continuous load rule your OpenEVSE would need a 32 amp pilot.

#6 would be great for that EVSE with a 50 amp circuit breaker and a 40 amp pilot.
 
Wire will depend on the breaker. 50a breaker is required to utilize the full 40 amp EVSE capacity and dictates #6 wire minimum.

#8 might be allowed for a very short run. May need specific temperature rating. #6 is good in all conditions.
 
smkettner said:
Wire will depend on the breaker.
#8 might be allowed for a very short run. May need specific temperature rating. #6 is good in all conditions.
Click to expand...
Or breaker will depend on the wire since they have to match they depend on each other to be rated appropriately.

In the wall the length isn't the issue as much as the terminal temperature ratings.
 
50A range cables with a molded 14-50P and #6 current wires are available in 4 foot and 6 foot lengths for under $20 on Amazon and eBay. There does not seem to be much demand for 50A range cords. I guess it is over kill for most electric ranges.
 
GlennD said:
50A range cables with a molded 14-50P and #6 current wires are available in 4 foot and 6 foot lengths for under $20 on Amazon and eBay. There does not seem to be much demand for 50A range cords. I guess it is over kill for most electric ranges.
Click to expand...
On the contrary, 50a 14-50p is probably the most common electric range plug(for sure on new ranges) which is why they are so cheap, volume pricing. Note the cord you get with such a plug may be OK at room temps but get very stiff when approaching freezing and downright stiff as a board when temps approach 0f. For that reason I chose to make my own pigtale plug for my EVSE, using SJOOW cable and a nice heavy duty with handle 14-50p (plug) like this one from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-55255-PowerGrip-Replacement-Plug/dp/B000PGVZ30?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
 
OK, I will take your word on that since I have a gas range. Most of the surplus cables I see at swap meets are the 30A variety.

It the cable ever gets stiff and below freezing in Southern California then it is time to move.

Even stiff it is not going to be moved once plugged in. The only time I unplug my EVSE is to test a unit I have just constructed. I only have one 50A circuit.
 
The 30 -ampere surplus cables are probably from dryers. Electric ranges typically use 14-50 plug/receptacle on either a 40- or 50-ampere circuit. I have been using a range pigtail purchased from Lowes to feed my AeroVironment EVSE since June 2011 without issue.

Gerry
 
QueenBee said:
maini said:
I am planning to buy the Open EVSE 50A Deluxe version
https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/openevse-50a-charge-station-combo-with-enclosure

The distance between my panel and the ESVE installation point inside my garage is barely 3-4 Feet. Can I use the A/C whip??
http://www.lowes.com/pd_69844-295-55189307___?productId=3616542&pl=1&Ntt=a%2Fc+whip
or
http://www.homedepot.com/p/AFC-Cable-Systems-8-3-in-x-6-ft-Liquidtight-Whip-8017-HD/202286687


What regulations am I breaking?? Any issues people see??


TIA
Click to expand...

The only issue is to make sure that your circuit is rated for the same amperage as the circuit breaker and that your OpenEVSE pilot is 80% of that. So for example #8 wire is generally rated for 40 amp circuit so a 40 amp circuit breaker would be used and since an EVSE is continous use your OpenEVSE pilot would be set to 32 amps.

FWIW if you are installing this wiring "in the wall" and it can be reasonably expected not to be subject to damage you can buy 10 feet of #6 romex/NM-B at Home Depot/Lowes/Platt/etc. by the foot. #6 would be able to support a 50 amp circuit breaker.
Click to expand...


Build your own whip with parts from any Home Depot. Don't use NM-B, use THHN.

They sell 3/4" water tight flex conduit by the foot, water tight ends, #6 THHN/THWN cable by the foot and a 50 amp breaker for your breaker panel.
 
Flyct said:
QueenBee said:
maini said:
I am planning to buy the Open EVSE 50A Deluxe version
https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/openevse-50a-charge-station-combo-with-enclosure

The distance between my panel and the ESVE installation point inside my garage is barely 3-4 Feet. Can I use the A/C whip??
http://www.lowes.com/pd_69844-295-55189307___?productId=3616542&pl=1&Ntt=a%2Fc+whip
or
http://www.homedepot.com/p/AFC-Cable-Systems-8-3-in-x-6-ft-Liquidtight-Whip-8017-HD/202286687


What regulations am I breaking?? Any issues people see??


TIA
Click to expand...

The only issue is to make sure that your circuit is rated for the same amperage as the circuit breaker and that your OpenEVSE pilot is 80% of that. So for example #8 wire is generally rated for 40 amp circuit so a 40 amp circuit breaker would be used and since an EVSE is continous use your OpenEVSE pilot would be set to 32 amps.

FWIW if you are installing this wiring "in the wall" and it can be reasonably expected not to be subject to damage you can buy 10 feet of #6 romex/NM-B at Home Depot/Lowes/Platt/etc. by the foot. #6 would be able to support a 50 amp circuit breaker.
Click to expand...


Build your own whip with parts from any Home Depot. Don't use NM-B, use THHN.

They sell 3/4" water tight flex conduit by the foot, water tight ends, #6 THHN/THWN cable by the foot and a 50 amp breaker for your breaker panel.
Click to expand...
What's your beef with NM-B and why would you recommend water tight fittings for something that is inside? I'd personally recommend saving money and using less plastic.
 

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