I do have some genuine concerns that while Granny chargers have been classed as safe for use in a standard three pin socket outlet.
It does so, making the assumption that any outlet in any home is totally fit for this purpose.
There are just too many variables with this regard.
Newer and older renovated properties that have been wired to meet the latest regs and requirements, and testing accordingly are going to be absolutely fine.
Agreed but it is not just EV Granny chargers that can load up a socket like this. Many ovens and tumble dryers with 3 kW rating also come with 13 amp plugs attached.
But it’s the properties that fall into the middle section, can be the grey area here.
Properties that have had some add on electrical work done or even some DIY projects carried out over the years gone by.
Homes that have worked fine for years and years and then develop an issue quickly when owners starting using the Granny lead to charge their EV are left scratching their heads ?.
e.g. - The chosen socket outlet was added years ago, with a poor quality socket outlet, it was wired as a spur, where a under rated junction box was used, no RCD protection in the CU either and CPC ( earth ) arrangement have not been upgraded.
Many properties have TN-C-S earthing arrangements and this is potential dangerous to use for EV charging unless the wallbox or granny charger has PEN fault protection. Some installers add an earth rod but this is potentially hazardous too and can cause a fire.
A similar situation occurred with a member of the forum, when a junction box that had supplied an outside socket outlet ( installed years ago ) suddenly over heated and almost caught fire under his wooden car port, when the owner starting using a Granny to charge his new EV.
I can believe that with some of the very poor quality granny chargers around. The two that I've Mitsubishi and BMW, both have temperature sensors inside the plug to guard against this very situation. I guess you get what you pay for.
There are just too many variables in this grey area section in my mind.
The manufactures include the wording “When plugged into safe / suitably rated socket outlet is used” when giving out advice on the use of the Granny charger.
Maybe there needs to be a standard that makes the granny chargers have a temperature sensor in the plug?
When a wall box is installed, it comes with the knowledge, that this work will be carried out by a certified EV installer.
I have to disagree with you there. The first wallbox I designed and made myself, the second one I installed myself and I am not a certified EV installer and there is no requirement to be one.
Back ground checks will be made first at the property, insuring the necessary supply / home electrics are in a safe condition, prior to the install.
I think 'should' rather than 'will' is needed in this sentence.
A three pin plug socket owlet is readerly available in almost anywhere in the U.K.
But the suitability for use on a Granny lead in every single location, has to questionable at least.
The vast majority are fine and the better quality units have the temperature sensor which would make them safer, they simply reduce charge rate if heat is detected.
This can be in part to the unknown condition / age of the wiring / circuits / RCD protection / earthing arrangement etc.
And this applies to all wiring installations and appliances. My mums house I discovered that the ring main in the kitchen did not have an earth at all. I discovered this when installing a new washing machine and I got a tingle from the machine. The house was built in 2005 and my parents moved in when it was a year old, it had all the certifications you should but clearly proper testing had not been done.
The load is not my main concern here, it’s the length of time spent delivering that higher load on what could NOT be the best circuit, is the real issue for me.
It’s pretty clear and understandable, that somebody who has just purchased an EV would assume that becomes it comes equipped with a standard three pin plug, that it is fair game to think, it can be safe to be used in every single socket that is instantly available.
And in reality it most likely will be OK, there are very few that have issues except the coiled extension lead etc. When I had my caravan on the drive, the electric hookup was plugged into the outdoor socket with a 13 amp plug and the central heating and water heating presented a 3kW load for a substantial time, lots of caravanners do this too.
