Charging - can someone explain it?

[audi321]

Hi all, wife has just bought a Fiat 500e which comes with a 3 pin charging lead but it takes forever to charge.

However, it also has a type 2 cable in the boot too (male at one end, female at the other, presumably for charging at a public charger). Is there anything stopping me buying one of these and connecting it to a 32amp breaker on my consumer unit?

Or do I actually need a 'charger' lead?

Thanks all.

[audi321]

SWoll said:

What are your daily usage requirememts OP? We've run an i3, Tesla Model 3 and now an eTron 55 over the past 3 years on 3-pin plug for 99% of charging and have covered 30k+ miles in that time.

You should get 10mph of charge on a 3-pin plug in a 500e so an easy 100 miles overnight?

Good point. Might just stick to 3 pin then. She hardly does more than 30 miles a day, at a push 50.

[audi321]

Well I am confused as after watching that YouTube video above it implies that these wall chargers aren’t actually chargers but just a supply. The car has the charger onboard?

I’m confused.com so will just stick with the 3 pin for now

[audi321]

pghstochaj said:

TheDeuce said:

Anything that comes with a pre fitted plug must confirm to whatever safety standards it needs to when plugged in to any regulation meeting socket.

I am sure the "charger" and cable does, no doubt in that, but that doesn't mean the system overall does. That is, the manufacturer of the "charger" is not responsible for making sure you have adequate safety features on the 3-pin socket being used.

I had a bit of a google on this out of interest this morning, I will do a bit more searching but as far as I can see, the "charger" primarily has features to tell the car it can charge, not that it has appropriate RCD protection (or 6 mA DC leakage detection) or suitable earthing system/earth fault detection.

I think you’re seriously overthinking this. It has a 13amp fuse, which in turn will have a 16/32amp breaker/fuse at the consumer unit.

What exactly are you concerned about? And do you have this concern when you turn your kettle on every day?

[audi321]

Right, I've asked my mate who's an electrical engineer to give me his stance on these 'granny' chargers. Here's his response;

"Using a 13A socket for EV charging is classed as Mode One. Which utilises a standardised socket outlet not exceeding 16A 250V AC which utilises the supply protective earth conductors under BS EN61851-1. Regarding DC leakage, you're looking at Type A RCD but that is not relevant for regulations until you hit 7kw."

He then goes on to add that anyone who is worried about plugging an EV into a UK socket should go and visit Europe or USA and then come back here, they wouldn't be worried at all...............

[audi321]

pghstochaj said:

audi321 said:

Right, I've asked my mate who's an electrical engineer to give me his stance on these 'granny' chargers. Here's his response;

"Using a 13A socket for EV charging is classed as Mode One. Which utilises a standardised socket outlet not exceeding 16A 250V AC which utilises the supply protective earth conductors under BS EN61851-1. Regarding DC leakage, you're looking at Type A RCD but that is not relevant for regulations until you hit 7kw."

He then goes on to add that anyone who is worried about plugging an EV into a UK socket should go and visit Europe or USA and then come back here, they wouldn't be worried at all...............

Your friend needs to reference why he considers the above to be correct. Particularly as we are talking Mode 2 here, not Mode 1 which do not communicate with the car (e.g. for scooters).

I'm not sure then. Are you an electrician? Maybe he's wrong, but I doubt he is knowing the sort of person he is. Is it Mode 1 because the charger is actually in the car? i.e. these granny leads aren't actually chargers, just supply? I don't know....


ETA - just text him again and he's certain it's Mode 1. Mode 2 when connecting to a dedicated supply.

Edited by audi321 on Monday 29th November 16:29

[audi321]

pghstochaj said:

audi321 said:

ETA - just text him again and he's certain it's Mode 1. Mode 2 when connecting to a dedicated supply.

Edited by audi321 on Monday 29th November 16:29

Explanation of each mode:

https://www.dazetechnology.com/charging-modes-for-...

or here if you don't believe the first resource:

https://thedriven.io/2018/08/28/faq9-ev-charging-s...

"Granny Chargers" are Mode 2 for all intents and purposes of this discussion (i.e. current EVs), I don't think any modern EV uses Mode 1.

Agreed, seems you're right, in Mode 1 the cable end would always be live