UK domestic socket charging

[mikgle]

on the handover video from the MG website they call it the 'occasional use charger'

Speaking from experience from several years as a sparky, if using a 13A domestic 3 pin socket or the so called EV rated 3 pin socket i would inspect the socket about once a year. Isolate the power and remove the socket fascia. Check carefully for any signs of cracking, burning, charring or discolouring. Give it a sniff test. If in any doubt, replace the socket, they're only a few quid, whilst you've got it open. Make sure you terminate the wires back correctly with a double bend on the copper wire if its solid strand and tight terminations. Test it with a socket tester once live, about £15 . Test the RCD/ RCBO trip for the circuit its on via the test button, or ask a sparky to check out the circuit if it hasn't been done for say 5 years. You're saving several hundred £ by not paying for a full chargepoint, at least spend a bit on maintenance for safety sake! If you don't feel competent, get s sparky to do the checks, they know what to look for, it shouldn't cost much. I would charge about £40 max.

 

[tsedge]

I won't flog a dead horse here, but just say:

- Just because it has been fine with a granny charger on a normal socket, doesn't mean it will continue to be. If there's poor contact in the circuit, there'll be heat dissipation that will likely over time make contact worse and generate more heat etc.... The circuit may have other variable loads. It's not the first few times you use it, it is the 300th time that can be the problem.

- I do understand if you can't have a home charger there's a need for an alternative, but if you can I will never understand saving a few hundred quid vs the huge cost of an EV in the first place.

The risk might be low but fires have occurred.

 

[salty]

I won't flog a dead horse here, but just say:

- Just because it has been fine with a granny charger on a normal socket, doesn't mean it will continue to be. If there's poor contact in the circuit, there'll be heat dissipation that will likely over time make contact worse and generate more heat etc.... The circuit may have other variable loads. It's not the first few times you use it, it is the 300th time that can be the problem.

- I do understand if you can't have a home charger there's a need for an alternative, but if you can I will never understand saving a few hundred quid vs the huge cost of an EV in the first place.

The risk might be low but fires have occurred.

Can't argue with any of that, at all.
But it's still only, might happen. Equally it might not. In the 14 months I've been using a Granny it's been absolutely fine. Suits my needs and don't feel the need to change. Who knows what might happen on as you say the 300th charge. Probably nothing. Who's to say a Wall box, won't burst into flames. Nobody knows.
It's whatever suits you.

 

[DaveIJ]

I have a dedicated EV rated socket that I use for Granny charging with an EV dance charger and everything is fine. On long trips I use IONTY as I have a year discount with them and they are everywhere near me. So don’t really need a wall box. £1000+ is a lot of charging

 

[Everest]

You can get them cheaper than the one shown. I use a 16A one regularly for our 2nd ev, from 3rd Rock Energy. They have variable power input options from 6A to the maximum and also a delay start option.

Another vote here for Third Rock Energy products with an interlocked commando socket - ours is the 32A one. Far better than using a BS1363-2 EV rated 13A socket and cheaper than full EVSE. But you will need a sparky to assist with the installation.

Yes an interlocked isolator switch a good idea, unless its easy to switch the circuit off at the fusebox.

I'd go one step further than it being a 'good idea'. I'm not a sparky, but my reading of the 18th Ed. is that an interlocked socket is a requirement for an commando socket in a domestic situation..

722.55.101.0.201.1 Each AC charging point shall incorporate
(i) one socket-outlet complying with BS 1363-2 marked ' EV' on its rear and, except where there is no possibility of confusion, a label shall be provided on the front face or adjacent to the socket-outlet or its enclosure stating: 'suitable for electric vehicle charging', or
(ii) one socket-outlet or connector complying with BS EN 60309-2 which is interlocked and classified to clause 6.1.5 of BS EN 60309-1 to prevent the socket contacts being live when accessible.
...

 

[tsedge]

Can't argue with any of that, at all.
But it's still only, might happen. Equally it might not. In the 14 months I've been using a Granny it's been absolutely fine. Suits my needs and don't feel the need to change. Who knows what might happen on as you say the 300th charge. Probably nothing. Who's to say a Wall box, won't burst into flames. Nobody knows.
It's whatever suits you.

EVSEs contain protected circuitry against a series of faults and are properly designed for the loads. It is misleading to state that they are the same as any plug in terms of the risks.

 

[salty]

EVSEs contain protected circuitry against a series of faults and are properly designed for the loads. It is misleading to state that they are the same as any plug in terms of the risks.

Not trying to mislead anyone. Just my opinion. As I said it's up to the individual,
whatever suits your needs. I'm fine with the Granny.

 

[mikgle]

Another vote here for Third Rock Energy products with an interlocked commando socket - ours is the 32A one. Far better than using a BS1363-2 EV rated 13A socket and cheaper than full EVSE. But you will need a sparky to assist with the installation.


I'd go one step further than it being a 'good idea'. I'm not a sparky, but my reading of the 18th Ed. is that an interlocked socket is a requirement for an commando socket in a domestic situation..

OK haven't got the latest edition of the regs but fair enough, looks like changes have happened apace. For information, The wiring regs altho called regulations actually aren't mandatory but its usually a good idea to follow them whilst youre doing that, make sure you replace any plastic fuse boxes with metal, replace all rcbos with type A and fit a surge protection device.. oh and get an Electrical Installation Condition Report done, recommended every 10 years or for rented properties 5 years.

 

[mikgle]

OK haven't got the latest edition of the regs but fair enough, looks like changes have happened apace. For information, The wiring regs altho called regulations actually aren't mandatory but its usually a good idea to follow them whilst youre doing that, make sure you replace any plastic fuse boxes with metal, replace all rcbos with type A and fit a surge protection device.. oh and get an Electrical Installation Condition Report done, recommended every 10 years or for rented properties 5 years.

In my opinion, its just as important to do regular checks so you can monitor any deterioration.

 

[Tig170]

I've got the t-shirt - melted 13A fuse / plug using a small extension lead (all within code, CE UK approved)

T

Post in thread 'Charging MG4 Trophy LR, how much do you get at home in 4 hrs?'

Mar 12, 2024

My experience of granny charging is not good (I've only done it about 10 times since sept 2022), as the 10 amp is not enough to fuse the plug, but enough to cause the plug to get very hot, as the fuse can get soo so hot, without fusing. Granted this was not directly the MG4 charger, but plugged into a short 1m-extension 4-way socket (nothing else plugged in aside from the MG4 charger - but it was a moulded plug to standard) (which was supposedly rated to 3000w - with all the UKCR CE BS1368/A) - so just use with extreme caution ⚠ - and dont use extension leads (even 1m ones)! - This was...

• Tig170

• 

Just be careful out there.

 

[mikgle]

I've got the t-shirt - melted 13A fuse / plug using a small extension lead (all within code, CE UK approved)

T

Post in thread 'Charging MG4 Trophy LR, how much do you get at home in 4 hrs?'

Mar 12, 2024

My experience of granny charging is not good (I've only done it about 10 times since sept 2022), as the 10 amp is not enough to fuse the plug, but enough to cause the plug to get very hot, as the fuse can get soo so hot, without fusing. Granted this was not directly the MG4 charger, but plugged into a short 1m-extension 4-way socket (nothing else plugged in aside from the MG4 charger - but it was a moulded plug to standard) (which was supposedly rated to 3000w - with all the UKCR CE BS1368/A) - so just use with extreme caution ⚠ - and dont use extension leads (even 1m ones)! - This was...

• Tig170

• 

Just be careful out there.

Yeah I've seen many of those on washing machines too, its not just ev sockets!

 

[redwood98]

If a commando socket is needed then an interlocking one such as attached would be sensible. But by the time you've paid an electrician to do all the necessary safety requirements you might as well get a 'proper' EVSE installed.

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/1939528-32a-2p-e-240v-interlocked-switch-socket-ip44

My dad will be installing it so it will not have those costs

 

[redwood98]

Another vote here for Third Rock Energy products with an interlocked commando socket - ours is the 32A one. Far better than using a BS1363-2 EV rated 13A socket and cheaper than full EVSE. But you will need a sparky to assist with the installation.


I'd go one step further than it being a 'good idea'. I'm not a sparky, but my reading of the 18th Ed. is that an interlocked socket is a requirement for an commando socket in a domestic situation..

I also want a 32A one, where did you order yours from and how fast was the delivery?

 

[redwood98]

Having a dedicated circuit ending in a commando socket with a commando plug increases the surface area of the contact points and reduces the heat build up of the smaller contact points of a standard plug/socket arrangement. These could be considered illegal because the commando socket is not shuttered and potentially the live could be accessible to things being poked down the hole. The cover could be padlocked shut when not in use, yer takes yer pick!
Not many have mentioned this.... a few years ago we had a lightning strike on the EDF power lines outside the house , This blew up our , and everyone else's telephone lines in the area and also put enough back surge in the consumer unit to burn that out. Some of the sockets with plugged in appliances also suffered burn damage . This was not a direct strike on our house , but if we had had an EV plugged in on a granny drawing power at around 75% of its capacity then I reckon that the excess surge would have burnt out the plug /socket wiring and perhaps more. Our new installation now has surge protectors with the earth going to ground at the shortest length available .
With storms now being more likely and more powerful maybe this should now be a consideration or addition to everyone's installations especially as the cheap overnight tariffs mean EVs ,washing machines , water heaters are drawing night time energy when you are asleep and unable to physically monitor their usage and sneaky weather patterns creeping up on the unaware.

luckily with solar I have the luxury of charging during the days I'm not using it so lightning isn't really a worry anyway, as I would just not charge that day.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Young man, newish car, first car, good car, with my first car there was not any spare daylight left and beyond when I wasn't using it . How times have changed ???? and I got mine a few years after the massive fuel price increases of the early 70s. constrained by apprentice wages with the financial juggling act of beer/ petrol / footy, being my main concerns.

 

[Everest]

whilst youre doing that, make sure you replace any plastic fuse boxes with metal, replace all rcbos with type A and fit a surge protection device

So, there's not a requirement for existing domestic CU to be updated to latest spec - heck, there's a lot of pre 16th edition ones out there. But for sure, when fitting a new distribution box within a domestic situation then it must be metal clad, with meter tails and earth through same gland to avoid eddy currents and Type A or B RCD is required. SPD is needed unless the client/homeowner declines having one (and accepts the risks).

 

[Everest]

I also want a 32A one, where did you order yours from and how fast was the delivery?

Next day, IIRC.

Type 2 to 32A Commando Plug, 7.4kW Portable EV Charger – 5m

Type 2 to 32A Commando Plug, 7.4kW Portable EV Charger – 5m will deliver up to 7.4kW of charge per hour when connected to a single phase 32A socket

thirdrockenergy.co.uk

luckily with solar I have the luxury of charging during the days I'm not using it so lightning isn't really a worry anyway, as I would just not charge that day.

we don't do high mileage so have been able to be fully solar powered for over 6 months of the year

 

[redwood98]

Next day, IIRC.

Type 2 to 32A Commando Plug, 7.4kW Portable EV Charger – 5m

Type 2 to 32A Commando Plug, 7.4kW Portable EV Charger – 5m will deliver up to 7.4kW of charge per hour when connected to a single phase 32A socket

thirdrockenergy.co.uk

we don't do high mileage so have been able to be fully solar powered for over 6 months of the year

I'm just worried about spending £260 when it only claims the protection like others and doesn't actually provide proof, the same type of product is sold by different brands on amazon for less than £200 and one of which even has an app to check on it, the only reason I am considering this more expensive brand is because of all the people saying they have one on here.

 

[Everest]

I'm just worried about spending £260 when it only claims the protection like others and doesn't actually provide proof

What protection are you referring to?

 

[redwood98]

What protection are you referring to?

These ones listed at the bottom of the picture