Dmchose
Well-known member
Not hot but a 10 foot extension cord was definitely really warm around the end that was in the wall.. is that an issue ? Our garage sockets are 35 years old.
Valdemar said:Using an extension cord is generally a bad idea. If you have to use one it must of the heavy-duty variety with 14AWG wires at minimum. Checking the temperature at the receptacle is by no means a guarantee of anything, as there can be any number of bad splicing points on the way from the electrical panel to the outlet. If in doubt hire an electrician so he can give you an assessment of this circuit, if that's an option.
It could be. At 35yo, I'd just assume the worst and have an electrician out to inspect and replace the outlet...and give you a quote for a 240 circuit.Dmchose said:Not hot but a 10 foot extension cord was definitely really warm around the end that was in the wall.. is that an issue ? Our garage sockets are 35 years old.
mgs333 said:How warm is too warm?
When I charge on the 120V plug in my garage, after a few hours, when I touch the outlet area around the plug, it's barely warm. The EVSE brick itself and the EVSE cable are actually warmer than the outlet.
Probably OK.mgs333 said:How warm is too warm?
When I charge on the 120V plug in my garage, after a few hours, when I touch the outlet area around the plug, it's barely warm. The EVSE brick itself and the EVSE cable are actually warmer than the outlet.
If the OP's fire was caused by staple damage to the cable Arc Flash Circuit Interrupter is all that would have prevented the fire.johnrhansen said:...
AFCI is a really good thing. I'm glad they require it now. Who knows if it would have prevented this particular incident, but if it saves one life, it is worth it.
TimLee said:If the OP's fire was caused by staple damage to the cable Arc Flash Circuit Interrupter is all that would have prevented the fire.johnrhansen said:...
AFCI is a really good thing. I'm glad they require it now. Who knows if it would have prevented this particular incident, but if it saves one life, it is worth it.
But I don't think the code requires them in garages yet.
Does AFCI include GFCI protection which is required in garages (although some have had problems with GFCI use with EVSE)?
Or would panel need AFCI with GFCI outlet?
That and 12 gauge cable installed for just the EVSE outlet would be the safest choice.
As far as I can tell 15 amp and 20 amp outlets are exactly the same, except for the extra slit in the neutral prong. Why would the plug manufacturers make 2 different prongs? It makes sense to build them all to take 20 and just add that extra slit in the plastic as an extra step in the manufacturing process. I really don't think you are adding any margin of safety by installing 20 amp receptacles instead of 15. The only time you must install a 20 amp receptacle is if it is the only outlet on a 20 amp circuit, or if the device you are plugging in requires a 20 amp receptacle.
TimLee said:Probably OK.mgs333 said:How warm is too warm?
When I charge on the 120V plug in my garage, after a few hours, when I touch the outlet area around the plug, it's barely warm. The EVSE brick itself and the EVSE cable are actually warmer than the outlet.
But connections to the outlet could be poor and overheating without much heat being detected on the outlet cover.
You can really only be sure if it has been physically inspected assuring it is right.
Graycenphil said:How about both? Basic smoke alarms are so cheap; even the communicating ones are not too expensive.
The fire that started this thread probably would have triggered a smoke alarm long before a heat alarm. If the outlet wasn't behind sheetrock, it would have been even earlier.
I wouldn't expect any issue with an ICE and the smoke alarm.
johnrhansen said:The way I read the NEC, in households anyway, if an outlet is required to be GFCI (outside, garages, kitchens, bathrooms) it's not required to be AFCI. If it is not required to be GFCI, it is required to be AFCI. (bedrooms, living rooms, etc.) That code is so hard to understand. It looks like the only exception to this rule is the laundry outlet, as long as it's not near a sink, it can be neither. Maybe one of the electrician gurus can correct me if I'm wrong. It's really too bad they don't make a breaker that is both AFCI and GFCI.
Do not use this charger in structures more than 40 years old.
Nissan 2012 Owner's Manual, Charging Section, page CH-11
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