Can You Charge an Electric Vehicle with a Commando Socket?
2022 ж. 25 Шіл.
35 521 Рет қаралды
Save the expense of installing a dedicated electric vehicle charge point just use an industrial-style socket outlet. These sockets are often called commando sockets, caravan sockets or IEC60309 sockets. This might seem like a cheaper way of getting a higher-powered EV charger. In this video, we explore the UK wiring regulations BS7671 to find out if an electrician can install this type of socket outlet in a residential setting.
For more advice, snags and solutions on EV charging - check out this playlist
👉 • UK Residential EV char...
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#evcharger #electriccar #efixx
Clear as mud again. I suggest you all use your own engineering judgement as any good electrician should.
For me, the question isn't "can you?" but "why wouldn't you?". The industrial-grade BS60309 sockets are much more rugged (and IP rated) making them much more suitable for the harsher conditions inside/outside a normal garage.
Good points. 😊
Do you have a link where I could get one of those?
I use one, after looking at the "proper" chargers, and realising most of them (at the time) WERE just glorified sockets at ten times the price; I bought one of the above and fitted it inside the porch of my house, to charge my EV using a portable charger I got from China. Yeah, I know, China; but nearly everything originates from there, regardless of what the brand name claims; and as an old-school industrial electrician/electronics tech - I know what to look for. There is another issue NOT being talked about in the UK; these "smart" chargers can be remotely disabled - and HAVE been remotely disabled by the state just this year in the USA - when they felt the need to ration electricity - and with our ongoing lack of power generation capacity - a steaming pile of fetid dingo kidneys left unaddressed for 40 plus YEARS of head-in-the-sand-let-the-free-market-decide UK governments - something I think is HIGHLY likely to happen here. After all, "Smart" meters are already being used to disconnect people from the grid if they are unable to pay their electricity bills, or force them into pre-pay status - ANOTHER feature they failed to mention when pushing everyone to get one fitted.
@@ianemery2925 so if there were to be an energy problem (as we had a few years ago) you would rather be able to charge your car while people die in operating theatres due to no electricity? The governemt has no say on when and where load balancing is required and i am sure your electricity provider (who wont be earning money from stopping your supply of electricity) is not out to control your movements!
@@ianlouden5316 The government have EVERYTHING to do with why we are up shit creek. 40 YEARS of neglecting infrastructure and expecting the privatised energy companies to pick up the tab. I have been predicting the current conditions for the last 6-7 years, counting down our national reserves from 20% over cap (1980s), to negative 5% just before COVID hit. My car pulls 30 amps max, and to keep the battery healthy, I usually charge at either 13 or 20 amps - and at night when demand is lowest; and I am working on a small solar install that can trickle charge during the day in an emergency. In addition, the nearest hospital that might have that patient is over 15 miles away; and TBH, they are referring all but basic surgery to Birmingham, another 25 miles on top. What I begrudge most, is being made to pay through the nose for the pleasure of getting cut off by government decree, the exact same reason I refuse a smart meter, and have a multi-fuel inset stove as my main heat source; the previous home car chargers cost a third of current prices - but didnt have that internet kill switch. They would rather depend on being able to cut people off - and have been actively PLANNING to do that for at least 5-10 years, than put that investment into building power stations. Ponder that WHEN your power goes out due to "unprecedented demand"; this year, or the next.
This is exactly what i did, good quality interlocked IP67 rated socket on a separate circuit. Very cheap solution comparing to a "wired" EV charger install. In addition to that if you want to swap a charger later to something else it is easily done by changing the socket.
One of those great technical and grey areas open for debate, nicely delved into by Joe, with suitable theatrical confusion thrown in for good measure 🤪. I would say no to using them in domestics because they're not shuttered even though the interlock leans toward the spirit of the purpose of shuttering. Also, if you've the money to buy an EV, you should have the money for a suitable charger, let alone the £ to charge the thing with the skyrocketing energy prices! Nice one Joe😄 PS what does Graham Kenyon, lead author of the EVC CoP, say about this?
I think this makes a lot of sense but it really puts the focus on the EVSE providing all the necessary protection. Whether that be the 'inline' type you get with the vehicle that are often supplied with these connectors or the fixed installation type.
I think most of the video could equally apply to the question "I have a caravan, can I install a 16A socket to keep the leisure battery charged to save using an adapter". Personally I think an interlocked socket is acceptable to install and I'd do it. But I think this would be limited to properties where you don't need to set a grid limit to keep the DNO happy and and don't have PME earthing (unless you bang a rod in). Both these problems are solved by using a modern EVCP.
You could also apply it to I have a welder can I install a 16A socket. Does my home workshop count as a "domestic" setting?
I own an Ohme EVSE which was supplied to me, as a domestic customer, factory fitted with a 32A commando plug. If it's not permittable to have the corresponding socked installed, it would make it something of an ornament! My electrician was happy to fit an interlocked socket fed by an appropriate RCD and PEN fault equipment.
The question is more about if it's OK in a domestic setting.
@@efixx he does raise an interesting point though - if a commando has been fitted, and is interlocked in a domestic setting, where do the regs stand when you then attach an EVSE to it with a commando plug to give you Type 2 charging? The EVSE is thus considered more 'temporary' rather than being hard wired.
@@efixx Why would it NOT be? it's still an average human working it?
@@efixx Why not? It is installed for hot tubs in domestic all over the country. It is just a socket in the end.
Exactly what we have, except PEN fault protection is provided by TT earthing. Thank you @efixx for providing the relevant references to the currently applicable legislation - much appreciated!
As usual from the IET another bucket full of confusion, and misleading guidance. Nicely explained Joe. Great video Joe as always 👍👍👍❤️
Thanks Sean. 😊
BS7671 is predominantly written as a legal document, hence supports the overpaid legal profession to decode it.
@@MikeSmith-tx2lp BS7671 is not mandatory therefore it is not a legal document. BS7671 is a minimum standard to witch we are expected to work to nothing more.
@@Dog-whisperer7494 Yes, I remember now. When the SHTF however and there is a case to defend, the legal beagles will relish in the way it’s written by retired physics PhD’s. Its lack of clarity and ‘yeah but, no but’ style is ideal for wasting time in court. Whole thing should be rewritten in a clear concise manner using non-ambiguous modern technical English as per NASA standards. At least that would be an edition worth paying £70 for, instead of the ‘corrigendum’ spaghetti they churn out every couple of years.
@@MikeSmith-tx2lp I understand what you mean but you have to remember That there is no legal requirement for any one to work toBS 7671 , if you don’t it’s not a criminal offence. It would be be a civil case tried in a county Court , But if you injurer or kill somebody they would have to prove intent and that is a hole difference ball game. Were your actions premeditated ie did you intended to course injury to someone or did you intend to course death, then that would be a matter for a magistrate court and would most likely be referred to the crown court for trial.
Cordless kettle bases....non shuttered. On the basis that these are allowed, surely interlocked commando is a lot safer and therefore allowed????
as EV chargers are evolving, with the software inside them becoming more "valuable" than the kit itself, i think setting them up as "easy change" makes perfect sense
Absolutely I'd fit it subject to earthing arrangements being acceptable and other conditions for ev charging being met such as the correct type of RCD etc.
Naturally. 😊
I've recently had fitted a 32A commando socket to do just this, I have a TT earthing arrangement so I'm not worried about it being used outside. In fact, the socket is indoors and is interlocked. I've also fitted a smart meter installed in a small DIN box so I can remotely control, monitor and schedule the charger. Plus the cost of the charger, it's about £250 in total using existing garage wiring. The charger is current limited so not to overload the garage circuit and I'm currently trenching out the garden to install a dedicated SWA cable for higher currents.
What smart switch did you use? I'm going to do a similar set up.
@@matc1603 honestly can't remember, some 32a smart din rail meter. Put it in a small enclosure on the garage just before the socket. It's not ideal, but it's smart and I've got control over timing, quality etc
Can you use the industrial sockets in RV/Campervan/Boat when charging the batteries or using AC appliances using shore power?
If it can handle the current, and it's electrically safe, I would definitely use it for my own personal use. I really hate it when there's a proprietary new socket outlet, when something off the shelf would do the job just fine. For the general public I would recommend sticking with purpose made EV charge outlets.
Why? what reason? other than if they fitted it/wired it themselves with no consideration of protection
Porsche sell a charger that comes with a 13amp plug and a 32amp commando plug, they are interchangeable
Regulation by committee, that's what some of the electrical regulations, have become, The more info I read the more contradictions I find. I agree that the interlocking within the socket prevents access to the voltage at the socket outlet and when the unit is "dedicated" to the EV charger I see no reason not to use it. (no practical or safety reason) Doubly so when the unit is correctly protected by the correct chosen protection.
It's perfectly acceptable and I have a interlock 32A commando installed with a housing lock, does the job, 100% safe got mine fitted by a proper certified electrician for just £400 parts and labour
There are no pre made commando to type x leads that I know off and how is supply kw available communicated to the vehicle if only power and no comms are present at a commando socket/plug
@@MrLeecavturbo Volex make dumb ones for low cost. EVOneStop sell Type 2 to 32A Commando but with a "smart" box in the cable so stupidly expensive.
@@calmeilles yes Matt I had a mooch about after I posted . Circa £350? but if you factor possibly under £200? for install of commando socket good saving ? Obviously not all whistles and bells with intelligent cheap rate and load shedding but hey
@@MrLeecavturbo you would need a portable charger.
The fact that companies like Ohme sell domestic charging cables for use with 32A commando sockets would suggest that they deem this an acceptable installation. The bigger question is, when does a socket become a dedicated EV charging socket? What if I have a caravan or other load and have a socket for that? What stops me using the same socket for charging my car occasionally?
I was wondering that as well, why look at the EV section of the regs when this is only an outdoor socket. I would argue It's a multi purpose socket, and should not be governed by the EV socket regs.
@@NirateGoel that section is for dedicated EV charging points. The question is, when does a 32A commando socket go from a standard socket to an EV charging point.
@@puntoboy_gt when you put a sticker on it saying "EV charging only"
Great video Joe, I've got to do this tomorrow as a temporary measure in a warehouse, thank you.
I use a 32a commando.. why not? I worked out it is much cheaper doing it this way than with a dedicated charger, now does it annoy me that I have to dig out my lead yes but that is an issue that really is just down to laziness :P 6mm swa 32amp interlocked commando that conforms to IEC/EN 60309-1/2/4 New mini dist 40A type A RCBO with a 40A 4 Pole n/o contactor & PME detection I do not think I could have made it much safer than that which all cost less than the wall charger on it's own.. That said, still might go wall charger later so I do not have to worry about losing my commando cable haha!
So, if you have already fitted an interlocked 16amp Commando socket installed to provide 16amp power (EHU) for your Motorhome when parked on your drive, you search and purchase an "upto 16amp" variable current outlet charger cable with a 16amp Commando plug on one end and a Type 2 on the other to charge your newly purchased EV to give a faster chsrge than a domestic plug top at 20% of the cost of an EV outlet, only downside is it isn't "Smart" 🤷♂️👍
There are IEC 60309-4 (switch-interlocked) connectors up to 800A... makes you wonder if maybe some day this is how residential supplies will be connected. Seems like it would save utilities a lot of headache. There are a lot of houses that should be unplugged...
Unfortunately I think you missed a major part of the regs. Amendment 1 doesn't allow you to install sockets without protection if the socket could be used for charging 722.411.4.1 is the specific rule
One aspect to consider is, should anything go wrong with the vehicle charging device, would this type of supply effect the vehicle’s warranty?
The supply is the same as every chargng point and you have to plug a adapter produced by the manufacturer of the vehicle. So no problem with the warranty.
I believe most EVs come with a lead and adaptor that can be connected to this type of socket.
I believe you could be a lawyer. You have great grounds for a case. As long as it is protected as, it was an EV charge point. I cant see the problem . The only problem is that someone might think ever 32a socket is ok for EVs. Not every charger has a RCD and PEN disconnect built in.
Does it then follow that citizens in the UK are forbidden from owning portable electrical appliances that consume more than 13amps at home? Or how about 3 phase appliances? While rare, some houses do have 3 phase supplies, and there 3 phase appliances that plug in (I myself own a legacy 3 phase welder that plugs in). And can I not have a blue commando socket in my shed so that I can use my power tools with my Honda generator when out and about, and plug them in at home without having to use some sort of extension lead to convert from a domestic 3 pin to the blue commando socket?
What about smart regs?
So in short. Yes, if it's interlocking.
I think I'd sleep OK at night. 👍
And even more important is an RCD. Interlocks can be bypassed and electrocution can still occur. An RCD removes the electrocution risk.
@@deang5622 Agree because shutters can be bypassed too. Correct RCD is the main thing.
@@efixx how could you sleep at night? What about pen faults? And good luck in getting a document from the DNO saying it won’t ever get moved to pme? This Brings me on the the next topic of class 1 external lights.. pen fault should be fitted to all external class 1 equipment! Maybe in a few years we will have to pen fault built into our consumer units too😃
@@deang5622 You can bypass the shuttering on a standard 13A socket, and on the *vast* majority of multiway extension leads you can bypass the shuttering by turning the plug 180° and plugging just the earth pin in as there is not a large enough "face" to the extension to interfere with the L/N pins. To be honest it probably would not be too hard to come up with a shuttered IEC 60309 socket as the earth pin is longer than the phase pins.
Those sockets are widely used in domestic hot tub installations where 32A is required so you are saying it’s not compliant.
Having a 3 phase supply can I plug my ev into a commando type socket to charge? The socket rated for 32amp but car will only accept 11kw Ac also has an isolator and rcd procection. Or is there anything else required to be correct? Thanks for any advise
11KW is 46A at 240v. Possibly this is the max DC rapid charge draw, not the CHAdeMO, I would double-check your car manual. Mine states 50Amp as the Rapid DC charger limit. My car's on-board charge circuit has a built-in 30 amp limit for CHAdeMO, so I am not worried about the 32Amp limit on my commando install.
@@ianemery2925 46A at 3-phase 240V would be 33kW...
@@HenryLoenwind sorry, somehow I missed the 3 phase bit, I was working on 240v. My bad
@@ianemery2925 No problem, I suspected as much. That's why I kept my reply short ;)
My cars home charger came with 32a commando and 13a 3 pin uk. I have a proper installed 32a commando socket in garage and it gives me 6kw to car. That's about 24amps. I'm happy with that for infrequent topups at home. 32amp is there 20 years for another purpose that didn't happen so happy to use it. It's not easily accessible anyway. Have a zigbee ct clamp on the mains to track usage as well.
How is comms handled using a commando ? The vehicle needs to know what size supply is available ( 3,7,11kw eg ) that is handled by the 2 comms pins which commando doesn’t have ?
You still need the granny cable supplied with the car.
@@efixx did some research and you can get a 32a granny charger which was news to me 😮 so that’s 7ishKW 👍
@@efixx some portable chargers allow you to choose the charge rate, and you can also select it in the car if you know what is available on the supply. Obviously if you go over, you're going to trip the OCPD.
It's a Big YES. with shutter.
Plus Interlock!
Danger: If you check the blue to Tesla adapter internals, it joins L1, L2 and L3 inside, to offload Tesla EVSE relays. But, if you connect Renault Zoe (whicj when single phase charging connects internaly L3 and N). It would make huge mess with both car electronics and L3 relay inside EVSE. Even Schuko 13A does that, even thou relays are rated 16A. Only with Brittish 13A plug uses 1 relay internaly, and it charges the car at 10A.
IEC ("kettle") sockets aren't shuttered and are widely used in domestic situations.
Not usually as part of the fixed installation
@@efixx Surely there are other provisions for the use of Ceeform, E.G. the fact that it's 16A. My reading of the law around "standard" domestic plugs/sockets is that a.socket intended to take a standard 3 pin 13A plug must be shuttered but a socket doesn't necessarily have to be of the type that takes a standard 3 pin plug. I have a 16A ceeform in my home workshop for my welder and have no problems with it, also it's mounted well out of reach of children (not that that's a problem for me as no one else lives here).
Seems like I need a solicitor just to get a socket. 😂😂😂😂
Its pretty much how much are your prepared to pay for peice of mind? Just had a smart charger installed for less than £800, installed the cable myself. It looks fine has every safety feature under the sun and does not look an eye sore on the side of my house. Its like using a safety razor or a open blade both do the job, but maybe just stick to the former as you dont want any nasty suprises?
Wise words
There is a big difference between a dedicated EV charging point and using a standard electrical outlet that is already in place for charging an EV. As far as I know, there is no law which prevents a householder doing so, and it won't matter whether it's an IEC60309 or BS1363 socket.
Regs are just well-meaning document but never gives clear answers and is written by people who don't understand reality or they themselves never read it but just add more stuff better ignore it and just use your judgment. That's my conclusion from all the videos I've watched recently about questions I try to find answers to. I will approach that questions in a different way in that case! Are the manufacturers of EV can sell freely on the UK market the charging adapter that can be plugged into this type of socket without any restrictions to the general public. If the answer is yes! The second question is the manufacturer's advice in the manual for this adaptor not to be used at home and only in industrial settings? If the answer is No or they don't specify purpose and intention of use then yah they are suitable for home use and UK authority giving their silent permission as probably they never actually care about this matter in the first place until it becomes imported to some nonstatutory organisation deciding that they need more money in order to change some paper and justify their useless existence with the creation of new amendment or edition. Then all of those people involved in writing this colourful document will go home to sleep like angels and think that they made the world a better place and they've saved the lives of countless little children who stick their little tiny fingers inside sockets. Sorry but regs subjects make me cynical.
Couldn't have put it better myself..!
When many people use Commando sockets to charge their EVs, it becomes a standard. 😆
I've got one of these in my garage for a welder but it is 5ft high off the ground so the kids cant reach it.
Clever stuff.
I am not sure that classifies as "being out of reach". It might work now, but as they get older taller, the electrocution risk is still present, unless the connector has an interlock and or RCD.
In the same place where they might find step ladders and storage crates to stand on? Kids can be very resourceful when curious. Just saying…
i have some 32 amp sockets in the garage, these have a dedicated isolator as they have something permanently connected that i like to turn off and on. they are up at around 2m. i suppose this could still be a risk if i forgot to isolate and unplugged the connector. i have some other 32 amp sockets around the garage at normal height, but as they have no isolator and are just for general use, these are interlocked (more just so i could turn them off). also have a compressor on a 16a commando with just normal 16a socket, with isolator at other end of garage. suppose in hind site to be extra safe they should have all been interlocked? note: all protected by RCD.
Without the Can network you would get a large spark when disconnected live.
And? That’s no difference to any other socket. Besides which, you can’t unplug live with an interlock, the switch must be moved to the off position before the connector can be removed.
By the same logic, a type 2 EVSE wouldn't be allowable in a domestic setting. No shutters there, safety through an electronic interlock. That's the reason the French pissed around with the type 3 connector for a while before accepting the type 2 standard
PS, the Tesla mobile charger has swapable inputs, so even with an interlocking in place on the commando side, perfectly possible to pull the end which plugs into the tesla charger out and lick the contacts without any interlock.
So if I understand correctly, the issues mentioned here are nothing to do with suitability or safety of a commando socket for vehicle charging. More that a commando socket can never be installed in a domestic setting for any use? In actual real life situations, surely a 16a commando socket is much safer than using the same charger through a 13a outlet that will permanently be overheating the fuse and plug?(assuming everything else remains the same, so I just cut off the 13a plug on the charger and replace with a 16a one but continue to charge at say 10a or 13a)
I guess it's the same if you want a power a 16 amp, 3PH compressor in your garage...
What’s the point if you can only plug a granny charger in. ( by chopping off plug top and fitting a commando plug ) . 🤷🏻♂️
Because you can get 16A and 32A chargers supplied with a commando plug.
@@sailingoctopus1 yes Chris have since found that out 👍
@@sailingoctopus1 a 16A commando is much safer for long-duration high than a 13A plug.
They sell charge cables with even a 3 phase socket on one side. In the UK is not common, but in a lot of European homes it's common to have 3 phase power (and thus a 3 phase socket in the house, and commonly in the garage). Also if you don't have one, installing a 3 phase socket is cheaper than a dedicated charger, you can change the charger without calling an electrician each time, and have a charge cable with a 3 phase socket is useful since you can move it around, for example I have 3 phase sockets at work and I can charge the car there, or you can find 3 phase sockets in a lot of locations, in case of emergency. A three phase socket can be adapted to a single phase one (of course the charger will work only as a 1 phase one) and to a residential plug, and the charger of course needs to be set to not trip the breaker it's connected to. Finally a commando single phase or three phase socket can be used for other purposes other than charging a car, for example for equipment you usually have in a garage, such as a welder.
I’ve never understood interlocked sockets. They many times more expensive than a standard one, and seem like a pointless expense. The socket on the end of the extension cable that you plug into the interlocked socket is not interlocked.
This might shift your thinking - kzhead.info/sun/i6t8qNqqe5tulo0/bejne.html
If a child lifts the flap and inserts a metal spike ?!?!?! That’s why
@@MrLeecavturbo do you wear both a belt and suspenders? Just in case one fails, you have a redundant system already in place? Here in the States we don’t have shutters on our receptacles and we don’t hear about kids sticking metal items into receptacles. Perhaps it was an issue when domestic power was new and people didn’t know better.
@@mikecumbo7531 in the states you have low voltage with reference to earth. 👍
Think about creating the safest installation you can. That's the true intent of the Wiring Regs. Don't get too het up on trying to figure and decipher them: a requirements document as big as BS7671 is bound to contain inconsistencies. The idea of using a commando connector that does not have an interlock should be an immediate no-no: the electrocution risk in a residential setting with children around is obvious.
Is a garage a domestic setting? I would say no…
Domestic maybe, but "in the household"? I don't usually live in my garage...
The industrial type socket cannot prevent the user from plug or unplug while there is loading, unplug with load will causing arcing and damage the contact pin, hence increases contact resistance (= heat ), letting it happens respectively will eventually cause overheating on the contact. That’s from my experience of similar setup for EV charging. A purpose made EVSE will on allow on load switching on the socket contact.
That's why you need interlocked socket, not a basic one.
For some locations, this is the only way customers can get an EV charger, because there are no accredited EV charger installers willing to travel to their remote locations.
The easiest to instal and the cheapest and safest is the 32A Industrial socket that only switches on when you plug the Tesla 32A Charging lead into it Hallelujah and anyway its controlled with an A type 30 MA DP RCD which would trip if anybody poked any object into it
What about a 32A industrial socket that includes an RCD in the same enclosure outside?
Yes: because I do.
Just shows what a rip off car chargers are your EV will do all the timmings and charge when you want this is cheaper than a dumb charger
Hm, think I'd be happier with a dedicated charger myself, there's other benefits. 😊
@@efixx *dedicated charging point
Why bother to put in a perfectly safe dedicated circiut. When you could put a perfectly safe 32A socket and have options. Makes perfect sense. Domestic sitting is a feble argument.
I’m not an electrician, but I don’t think we have such a thing in the UK. If you’re American and referring to the nema 14 - 50. If you’re from the UK, then maybe we can however I’ve never come across one. However, the Tesla charger for £30 have an adapter for a commando
Poeple try it all the time. Watch the video
I think shutters are ridiculous. Even as a pre-teen I figured out how to bypass similar shutters in other settings. They weren't required on outlets, but I cannot imagine anyone beyond the toddler stage who is interested in jamming something into an outlet being thwarted by a modern shuttered outlet. Apparently the intent for shuttered outlets is to protect against toddlers stuffing a knitting needle into an outlet. Therefore the intent is satisfied by mounting the outlet greater than 1m above the floor.
No heart for you my friend!
I disagree with this analysis. Certainly a 12 year old kid could bypass shutters and interlock and be tall enough to do so, but that's a positive act they have to do and will wonder why the holes are shuttered, and might make them think twice. Also, if electrocution occurs, there's a question of blame. If the sockets are not shuttered and no interlock, then the electrician is going to be blamed for doing a poor installation. If the socket is shuttered and or an interlock present, then the installer electrician will carry much less blame, and the coroner's report will probably state "death by misadventure".
@@deang5622 Regarding blame I agree whole heartedly. However the liability is produced by the existence of and requirement to install shutters and interlocks. By 12 years old there is no thinking twice, there is only the challenge raised by the question, "how does a plug go in with those shutters there?" The existence of shutters has *caused* things to be stuffed into outlets by the curious. There is no way to know how the number compares to the pre-shutter days.
Why doesn't someone tell the NICEIC this information?
The NICEIC just make up rules to suit themselves. Apparently it’s unacceptable to have the banjo of an SWA gland on the outside of an enclosure (indoor, no IP concerns). Madness
I'm sure they've figured it out. 😃
By the time you have installed this socket, plus the customer buys a charger complinate with lastest smart regulation, then fitted type B RCD and maybe a PEN fault device in reality what has the customer saved? More importantly what a mess it would look compared to a charger with DC leakage and PEN fault built in...
Wise words Nick
Depends on the situation. I've yet to see a portable charger that doesn't have a Type B RCD built in and not everyone has a TN-C-S install (a rod is also an option).
All been good yes ,along as top quality products are used ,There is a lot of Chinese rubbish about that should be dumped back home ,, happy and safe fitting ,
A lot of the 'Chinese rubbish’ is rebranded by 'reputable' brands and is actually pretty good. In recent years the Chinese have shown themselves to be remarkably innovative and, to be honest, are leaving the rest of the world behind. A lot of that ingenuity has been devoted to manufacturing things down to a price and they have a refreshingly common sense attitude to IP and patents, which let's be honest again, is holding the world back. The latest generation of Chinese EVs, phones and anything else you care to mention are little short of genius and in terms of value for money are unbeatable. Their product development cycles are incredibly short such that Tesla will be struggling to keep up.
I have seen mains powered products containing metal cases coming out of China fitted with UK mains plugs where the case is not even earthed. You have to be extremely careful with the quality of mains powered products coming out of China. They'll stamp the CE mark on it and it doesn't conform.
@@deang5622 Agreed, their approach to electrical safety leaves a lot to be desired, although, surprisingly, I've yet to hear of someone being killed by these substandard devices.
@@deang5622 hi, you mean CE Chinese Export ,
@@sailingoctopus1 point taken on reputable companies getting components manufactured in China,however at what cost to the workers with ,wages and healthcare, and hours worked ,
I'll tell you what I dont like I am not a fan of these outside ev consumer units or any outside consumer units I think it is dangerous also it looks some eyesore a big black EV cable clipped from the cu round a white wall at about 1metre up at the front and side of a nice house I don't know how a spark gets away with it would not be my house
First 😀
So the BS7671 are happy to let us use our own engineering judgment wear this is concerned , but we can’t use our own engineering judgment when it comes to tightening tiny screws in a CU , or how much exposed tip we can have on our tester probes. Yer right. Well sorry I know electricity can kill me and after 32 years in the industry I know the danger’s and I know how to avoid those dangers, I don’t need or want some white collar pen pushing desk jokey telling me how to do my job. I can honestly say that in 32years as a spark I have never had an electric shock or electrocuted myself, or anyone else. Nor have burned anyones house down. Don’t get me wrong we should always comply with BS7671 but the truth is some of the regs we should just ignore as they are pointless. The IET should stop treating us like incompetent idiots and let us do our job. But who am I to argue i’am just a humble spark who’s opinion means nothing.
I would be very interested to hear from you some examples of regulations which are considered pointless?
@@deang5622 we all know that the regs are a mishmash of this that or the other and most of it makes no sense and is left to interpretation. Also I was referring to pointless probe shrouds and the proving units , Don’t try to catch me out. Read my comment again I’am not saying we should ignore the regs , I just saying some aspects of the regs we can ignore .also in the video Joe read out the regs on the use of the industrial socket for use with EV chargers, first it says we can then another reg say no we can’t then it says it depends on certain connections. And then there’s split load plastic CUs the regs say we can still install them yet in another reg say we can’t. So i’am I wrong in saying most of the regs are pointless. No i’am not
I'm pretty sure if you had electrocuted yourself during those 32 years your post would have been shorter.
No stupid idea