Electric Car Charging - 10/25/22 09:16 PM
Wow …
An ongoing job has really brought home how our trade has changed over the years.
It started with restoring service to an older house. The house had been stripped of wires by “scrappers.”
First built in 1935, the house had been added to and remodeled many times. As a result, the service drop had to be relocated. The hardest part has been convincing the homeowner that simply continuing to use the old 40-amp (you read that right) ungrounded system was not possible.
My load calculations came to 154-amps required, without considering the likely replacement of two destroyed outbuildings. The easiest selection was to install a 200-amp service.
As might be expected, the customer is still complaining that I did “too much.”
I think the worst thing I can call a customer is “family.”
Now for the kicker: She’s talking about getting a Tesla. So, it was time to look at Tesla’s charging specs. Tesla calls for a 60-amp circuit (48 amp continuous). That’s as much as I used for the sub-panel that serves the basic house needs.
FWIW, Tesla claims a maximum charge rate of 44 miles per hour of charging. This means most folks will need three hours of charging per day. With that load, my 200-amp service is already two amps undersized.
I also note a directive from Tesla regarding GFCI protection: GFCI is integral to the power outlet, do NOT use a GFCI breaker.
I’m open to any advice or experience you might have to share.
I also doubt EV advocates have any idea of the Pandora’s box they’ve opened.
An ongoing job has really brought home how our trade has changed over the years.
It started with restoring service to an older house. The house had been stripped of wires by “scrappers.”
First built in 1935, the house had been added to and remodeled many times. As a result, the service drop had to be relocated. The hardest part has been convincing the homeowner that simply continuing to use the old 40-amp (you read that right) ungrounded system was not possible.
My load calculations came to 154-amps required, without considering the likely replacement of two destroyed outbuildings. The easiest selection was to install a 200-amp service.
As might be expected, the customer is still complaining that I did “too much.”
I think the worst thing I can call a customer is “family.”
Now for the kicker: She’s talking about getting a Tesla. So, it was time to look at Tesla’s charging specs. Tesla calls for a 60-amp circuit (48 amp continuous). That’s as much as I used for the sub-panel that serves the basic house needs.
FWIW, Tesla claims a maximum charge rate of 44 miles per hour of charging. This means most folks will need three hours of charging per day. With that load, my 200-amp service is already two amps undersized.
I also note a directive from Tesla regarding GFCI protection: GFCI is integral to the power outlet, do NOT use a GFCI breaker.
I’m open to any advice or experience you might have to share.
I also doubt EV advocates have any idea of the Pandora’s box they’ve opened.