Fire Alert: Check your 50 AMP Sockets Now

rodairio

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PSA - this issue has been noted in multiple threads (see below for a good example) but it tends to get sort of buried and my goal is to elevate the visibility. If you installed a NEMA 14-50 outlet 4+ years ago as I did, you very well may have a lurking fire hazard. It is slowly becoming common knowledge that standard 14-50 outlets can't handle prolonged charging loads. Many standard 14-50 outlets were likely installed by an unaware electrician, and there are likely a large number of unaware homeowners. I admit to being one, and my garage almost caught fire a week ago as a result. Fortunately my breaker tripped but the plug and socket melted together, the outlet box melted, and the wiring insulation melted bare. I count myself very lucky. An electrician I trust came to repair today and said there is nothing wrong with the circuit, the wiring, or the charger (GrizzlE Classic); it was all because of a standard NEMA 14-50 outlet rather than an EV rated socket.

Please if you don't know, check yours now and replace with an EV rated socket. They often have a little green car logo on them. If this were a consumer product there would be high profile national recalls announced reflecting the extent of the danger but it sounds like the escape hatch is that they are not being used for their "intended use". If you search the topic you'll find plenty but you have to know to search.

Other best practices:
1. Set your charger or vehicle to charge at a lower rate than max, in this case max is 40 amp. Why not default 30 if you don't need that speed all the time? Its better for the circuitry and probably better for the car
2. Limit the plugging and unplugging into the socket as it can wear down the contacts.
3. Hardwire if you want to eliminate the socket.

And pass the word. . .

https://lucidowners.com/threads/har...ant-cooper-14-50-receptacle-not-leviton.6537/
 
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Used Hubble receptacle and I still usually have the car set to limit to 32A, just in case.
 
Yeah, I had a Bryant receptacle installed and never unplug my EVSE from it. I sleep pretty good...😅
 
The classic Trinity of receptacles used to be Hubbel, Bryant and Cooper. I think Levitron now makes an industrial grade one too.
(Sorry didn't see the linked thread - good info!)
 
We had this happen to us within a year of use. Receptacle melted and the charger stopped working properly as a result too. It would repeatedly halt charging as it worked to complete failure and flipping the breaker at the end.

Commercial grade means the same socket that they use for welding. I wish that I remember the brand that was used, but it was supposedly "heavy duty".
 
This is really the fault of UL not being strict enough with their certification standards. If a receptacle is rated for 50 amps, it should carry 50 amps. This whole continuous vs intermittent load just muddies the water and negates to value of a testing laboratory.
 
This is really the fault of UL not being strict enough with their certification standards. If a receptacle is rated for 50 amps, it should carry 50 amps. This whole continuous vs intermittent load just muddies the water and negates to value of a testing laboratory.

The continuous load thing doesn't come from UL. That comes from the National Electrical Code. The 240v outlets that are commonly installed were designed for non-continuous loads like dryers, window AC units, or other small appliances. Before EVs came along, there was nothing in 99% of homes that pulled a continuous high amp load.

In any case, hardwiring is still the best choice even with this new UL certification.
 
Yes but UL tests and labels receptacles for use in the US. The testing and labeling are supposedlydesigned to keep home electrical system safe. Obviously receptacles labeled for 50 amps can not carry 50 amp continuous. Adding a seperate UL test for EV receptacles just adds to the confusion.
I agree hard wiring is the way to go. But having an insurance based testing lab giving their stamp of approval on 50 amp receptacles that can't carry 50 amps continuous is dangerous and confusing.
 
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