wwhitney
Well-known member
I've noticed some debate recently on whether the 2008 (and 2011) NEC allows EVSEs (other than 15A-20A/120V models) to be cord-and-plug-connected. I don't think the debate quite reached my last point below; if it has, I apologize for missing it.
As previously reported, 2008 NEC 624.13 says the following (parentheses by me):
625.13 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Electric vehicle supply equipment (rated at 125 volts, single phase, 15 or 20 amperes ) or (part of a system identified and listed as suitable for the purpose and meeting the requirements of 625.18, 625.19, and 625.29) shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected. All other electric vehicle supply equipment shall be permanently connected and fastened in place. This equipment shall have no exposed live parts.
The second "or" in the first sentence should be parsed as shown. So the permission given in the first sentence includes that given by deleting the first phrase enclosed in parentheses, yielding "Electric vehicle supply equipment part of a system identified and listed as suitable for the purpose and meeting the requirements of 625.18, 625.19, and 625.29 shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected."
I've checked the current (2007) California Electrical code (based on the 2005 NEC), and it has no changes to this section. Other states could vary, they do sometimes amend the NEC before adopting it.
For those conversant in building code language, this should be sufficient. However, in case there is any doubt remaining, it is worth looking to the statements made by the code-making panel in charge of section 625 during the process of preparing the changes for the 2011 NEC. In this document from the NFPA, see the bottom left corner of page 454, the panel statement on proposal 12-28 Log #2121 NEC-P12. It reads "The panel reaffirms its action on this proposal. An EVSE meeting the requirements of 625.18, 625.19, and 625.29 can be cord-and-plug connected even when the voltage is greater than 120 VAC." That is definitive, I think.
Now all we need is for someone to sell one commercially for us. I still believe it is true that the various NEMA plugs and receptacles were not designed for daily insertion and removal, so such a unit should not be moved between two locations on a daily basis (e.g. used at both home and work). But on a weekly or less frequent basis it could be very convenient.
Cheers, Wayne
As previously reported, 2008 NEC 624.13 says the following (parentheses by me):
625.13 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Electric vehicle supply equipment (rated at 125 volts, single phase, 15 or 20 amperes ) or (part of a system identified and listed as suitable for the purpose and meeting the requirements of 625.18, 625.19, and 625.29) shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected. All other electric vehicle supply equipment shall be permanently connected and fastened in place. This equipment shall have no exposed live parts.
The second "or" in the first sentence should be parsed as shown. So the permission given in the first sentence includes that given by deleting the first phrase enclosed in parentheses, yielding "Electric vehicle supply equipment part of a system identified and listed as suitable for the purpose and meeting the requirements of 625.18, 625.19, and 625.29 shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected."
I've checked the current (2007) California Electrical code (based on the 2005 NEC), and it has no changes to this section. Other states could vary, they do sometimes amend the NEC before adopting it.
For those conversant in building code language, this should be sufficient. However, in case there is any doubt remaining, it is worth looking to the statements made by the code-making panel in charge of section 625 during the process of preparing the changes for the 2011 NEC. In this document from the NFPA, see the bottom left corner of page 454, the panel statement on proposal 12-28 Log #2121 NEC-P12. It reads "The panel reaffirms its action on this proposal. An EVSE meeting the requirements of 625.18, 625.19, and 625.29 can be cord-and-plug connected even when the voltage is greater than 120 VAC." That is definitive, I think.
Now all we need is for someone to sell one commercially for us. I still believe it is true that the various NEMA plugs and receptacles were not designed for daily insertion and removal, so such a unit should not be moved between two locations on a daily basis (e.g. used at both home and work). But on a weekly or less frequent basis it could be very convenient.
Cheers, Wayne