Tom Moloughney repairs a homeowner's damaged plug and discusses what caused the issue.
It goes without saying that most electric vehicle charging takes place at home It is not a secret that Not all Level 2 charging stations are alike. However, even though L2 installations are typically viewed as simple, they too have their differences. These enclosures handle significant electrical currents. Any lapse in quality can lead to severe outcomes.
To emphasize that point, our guy Tom Moloughney kicked off a segment on his State of Charge The YouTube channel is named Recharge Rescue. Briefly put, they go to visit individuals who have issues with their residential charging stations. They explain the problem at hand and bring in an authorized electrician with expertise in electric vehicles to fix the situation.
His series began last year, however, the newest addition transports us to Ohio for a Mustang Mach-E owner with a damaged NEMA 14-50 receptacle.
The video begins by offering crucial guidance: not every outlet marketed as industrial-grade can handle prolonged high-power usage effectively. Moloughney points out a Leviton 279-S00 plug, usually priced at approximately $10, which is labeled as an industrial-grade component. He contrasts this model with a newer Leviton variant tailored explicitly for electric vehicle charging purposes. Significant disparities exist between these two plugs; notably, the enhanced version has a much thicker build featuring additional internal metallic components along with superior terminal connections within its casing.
The cost discrepancy is significant—at $66 compared to $10. However, Moloughney points out that the increased price is entirely justified due to the enhanced quality and functionality. To sum up, you invest more to receive more.
When visiting the Mach-E owner, we observed that the melted NEMA plug was actually a smaller, inferior model. Fortunately for them, a significant fire did not break out; however, the outlet had become sufficiently heated to permanently fix the charger’s plug in position. Moloughney provided a replacement charger and worked alongside a skilled electrician who decided to remove the old outlet entirely, opting instead for direct hardwiring. Additionally, they upgraded the breaker box to include a 50-amp breaker since it turned out that the earlier electrician had installed a 60-amp breaker using 6-gauge Romex wire intended for a 50-amp outlet. To prevent overloading the circuit, the new charger was set at a reduced capacity of 40 amps.
The update proceeds without issues, however, the key message from the video is to avoid cutting corners during your at-home setup. Typically, opting for hardwiring is preferable; nonetheless, should you choose to use a plug, ensure it meets industrial standards and can cope with sustained high-power requirements for EV charging. Additionally, it’s advisable to engage a certified electrician who has expertise inEV installations.
More On Charging:
- Trump’s Removal of EV Chargers Might Cost Taxpayers More Than $1 Billion
- Individuals Are Defacing Tesla Superchargers
- The Best Electric Vehicle Home Charging Stations for 2024
- How to Select an At-Home Charging Station for Your Electric Vehicle