30A Circuit Breaker tripped on Nissan Leaf

[yorkhung]

All of a sudden, I'm concerned for the safety of your installation.

+1 !!!!

And you did not mention what gauge wire this circuit is using. Given the sketchy description ... you should contact an alternate licensed electrician.

The wire was already installed in the house before I moved in, so I was trying to use the existing Dryer outlet for the Level 2 charger. Talking with one electrician before I did DIY. He said he was only going to extend the cable on the outlet and use as is so I didn't think it was a problem. But maybe I should ask another electrician to switch out the wire and install the 70A breaker instead.

[FairwoodRed]

Reusing a dryer outlet is something that works in a lot of homes. It just comes down to the details. If an electrician looked at it and thought it was of the correct gauge, it probably is. If you can read what is on the wire and tell us the size, we can weigh in a bit more.

Most dryers are installed on their own 30 amp circuit breaker. Is that what you have? I’m confused by your comment that it ran the garage door and lights too. Can you clarify? An electrician said he was going to extend the wiring, did you extend the wiring? If so, how far and what size wire did you use? Presumably you have a gas dryer now, did you ever use an electric one on that outlet (ie do you know the outlet was in working order before this?)

[yorkhung]

Most dryers are installed on their own 30 amp circuit breaker. Is that what you have? I’m confused by your comment that it ran the garage door and lights too. Can you clarify? An electrician said he was going to extend the wiring, did you extend the wiring? If so, how far and what size wire did you use? Presumably you have a gas dryer now, did you ever use an electric one on that outlet (ie do you know the outlet was in working order before this?)

The only reason why I know is because when the circuit breaker tripped. The garage light and door goes out with it. I also find some 120V plug loses power with the 240 Dryer circuit breaker tripped. I don't know if the previous owner did anything special to have both 120V and 240V work on the same breaker. By the way, the breaker uses two slot so maybe that's why.

[SanDust]

I didn't see mention of what EVSE you were using. Essentially you want the breaker to be sized for the wire and the EVSE. If you had a 40A breaker then you can certainly use a 30A one. You don't, however, want to use anything larger than what the EVSE can handle. (The Leaf won't draw any more than 3.3 kW). Again, not sure what EVSE you're using, but if you need to put a plug on the EVSE you'd want to use a NEMA L6-30R (assuming a 30A EVSE).

Given that you're breaker is tripping, which suggests a draw of over 30A, I'd be concerned about your EVSE wiring. Very concerned. Can't see how the 120v garage circuit would possibly be sharing the 240v dryer circuit. Since you say it does, I suggest getting a licensed electrician to look at how the wiring. In the meantime I wouldn't use the EVSE you installed.

[FairwoodRed]

It is possible to run 120 loads off of a 240 circuit (ranges have done that for years). In older homes builders were known to use shared neutrals and other oddities - stuff that technically works, but is no longer allowed by code. At any rate, it sounds like this project may be getting beyond your skill level. I don’t see any simple answers here. You have only two options: hire that electrician or start really digging into your wiring.

If you’re having troubles getting photos posted, try PM’ing me your email and we can try that route. You don’t happen to live in the Seattle area do you?

[planet4ever]

The only reason why I know is because when the circuit breaker tripped. The garage light and door goes out with it. I also find some 120V plug loses power with the 240 Dryer circuit breaker tripped. I don't know if the previous owner did anything special to have both 120V and 240V work on the same breaker. By the way, the breaker uses two slot so maybe that's why.

It seems clear to me that a previous owner did some DIY work in violation of the electrical code, and you now have a mess that needs to be cleaned up by a professional. Until you can get that done I would strongly urge you to use only 120v charging at home for your LEAF.

It will probably be expensive to correct the problems, but losing your house would be a lot more expensive. Get it done ASAP.

Ray

P.S. For the more electrically experienced here, anyone who would tap a dryer circuit to run a garage door opener is likely to have done other things that are unsafe. I'm sure yorkhung was working with the best of intentions, but his comments (e.g. about using two slots) make it clear that he is a novice. I do not think we should encourage him to address the problems created by the previous owner himself.

[gfederas]

Hire an electrician NOW before your house burns down. BTW, if the fire is traced to faulty wiring that isn't to code, the insurance company is absolved from any liability. You will be rebuilding your house out of your own pocket.

[yorkhung]

make it clear that he is a novice.

Yeah, I have not done the actual electrical work so I'm being very careful not to make big changes.
I know the theory as I studied as electrical engineer at college, but when it comes to actual implementation I have zero experience.
Wished they would teach me how to build the electrical wire in college...

[davewill]

Hire an electrician NOW before your house burns down. BTW, if the fire is traced to faulty wiring that isn't to code, the insurance company is absolved from any liability. You will be rebuilding your house out of your own pocket.

Old electrician's myth. If that were true, every homeowner who burned their house down because they left a candle burning would be left in the cold. LOTS of houses have substandard wiring and are covered.

Of course, the house might not be the the most important thing you lose in a fire, so get that wiring checked pronto!

[smkettner]

Your load is exceeding 30 amps. Find the load. LEAF is only 16a of it.