Can I cut my 6mm cable

Author
Discussion

stef1808

Original Poster:

959 posts

159 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
I want to cut the electric cable that goes to the ev charger so I can split it and add a domestic plug to it.
Is that possible? what do I need to split it?

CharlieAlphaMike

1,143 posts

107 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
stef1808 said:
I want to cut the electric cable that goes to the ev charger so I can split it and add a domestic plug to it.
Is that possible? what do I need to split it?
It's just a cable so yes, you can cut it. You'll need either some cable cutters or a hacksaw. However, even if you could get a 6mm cable into a domestic plug (I'm assuming you mean a 3 pin 13A plug), I wouldn't recommend it. The current passing through that plug will be too much and so there's a danger of causing a fire.

Basil Brush

5,118 posts

265 months

Wednesday 22nd May
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Why not use a granny charger that is made for the job?

No ideas for a name

2,283 posts

88 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
IANAE

Caution here as from your profile I am guessing this may not be in the UK.

There may (or may not) be issues with earthing. Is it a single three core cable that includes an earth or is there a separate earth cable.

Without seeing the job, I might guess and suggest that if the terminals are big enough, it may be sensible to pick up a new cable from the charger terminals and run that to your socket.
The cable will be protected by the existing breaker for the spur feeding the EVSE... make sure the cable feeding the socket is a greater rating (than that breaker) and all should be good.


ETA: The above post shows the original question is open to interpretation! Do you mean you want to convert your existing fixed EVSE to one which can be plugged in (which would be odd), or is it my interpretation that you want to add a mains outlet to the cable that supplies your existing EVSE?



Edited by No ideas for a name on Wednesday 22 May 18:37

Rough101

1,869 posts

77 months

Wednesday 22nd May
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Do you mean you want to divert the cable through a 13a socket so you can have both?

As a DIY’er, you won’t fit 2 6mm’s in to a socket aside from all the other issues with this.

stef1808

Original Poster:

959 posts

159 months

Wednesday 22nd May
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. I wanted to split it to add an extra 3 pin plug to the circuit although it’s looking like this isn’t feasible so running a new cable it is

Basil Brush

5,118 posts

265 months

Thursday 23rd May
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stef1808 said:
Thanks for the replies. I wanted to split it to add an extra 3 pin plug to the circuit although it’s looking like this isn’t feasible so running a new cable it is
Sorry misunderstood what you were asking. I think EV chargers need to be on a dedicated circuit to meet regs so I don't think it's allowed regardless of the practicalities of spurring off 6mm SWA.

ashenfie

733 posts

48 months

Friday 24th May
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The EV charger should not be on a ring main. as above it must be a spur.