Adding a Cord to EVSE

I'm planning to purchase a Schneider Electric EVLINK EVSE. I want to add an electrical cord (instead of hard wire) to plug into a 14-50R receptacle. Given the EVSE is a 30A model, is it safe to use a dryer cord (rated 30A) or do I need to use a range cord (40-50A)? Any insight on the gauge of the wire 8-4 or 6-4 from the circuit breaker to the receptacle would also be appreciated.

The EVSE will come with a cord with bare wire ends ready to hard wire. You can just purchase a 14-50 plug to attach. Also, I have been advised to downsize the breaker at the panel to match the EVSE draw, just to be safe.

Use #8 cord, no #10 dryer cord. Of course #6 is fine also.

billg said:

The EVSE will come with a cord with bare wire ends ready to hard wire. You can just purchase a 14-50 plug to attach. Also, I have been advised to downsize the breaker at the panel to match the EVSE draw, just to be safe.

Click to expand...

I read on here that NEC requires maximum amperage of the device to not draw greater than 80% of the breaker amperage. In other words, a 40 amp circuit breaker minimum is needed for a 30 amp EVSE to comply with NEC.

billg said:

The EVSE will come with a cord with bare wire ends ready to hard wire. You can just purchase a 14-50 plug to attach. Also, I have been advised to downsize the breaker at the panel to match the EVSE draw, just to be safe.

Click to expand...

Hard wire units typically require that the wires be installed inside the unit itself. My (Nissan) AV did not come with any wire, aside from the J-1772 cable. It had a couple of spots that could be knocked out for, IIRC 3/4" conduit, or in my case, a cable clamp. (I used an existing 6-50 socket that means I have to unplug the EVSE to use my welder.)

Why don't you just buy an EVSE w a cord? Siemens Versicharge, for instance, I'm sure there are others.

Look at the installation instructions for the Schneider EVLink EVSE - I believe you can get them in PDF form on line if you do a web search. When I installed my Schneider EVLink in 2012 the instructions provided the wire and breaker requirements - both of which had to be purchased separately.

srl99 said:

Why don't you just buy an EVSE w a cord? Siemens Versicharge, for instance, I'm sure there are others.

Click to expand...

This is probably the best idea. Here's another EVSE with a cord and 14-50 plug: Clipper Creek HCS-40P

billg said:

srl99 said:

Why don't you just buy an EVSE w a cord? Siemens Versicharge, for instance, I'm sure there are others.

Click to expand...

This is probably the best idea. Here's another EVSE with a cord and 14-50 plug: Clipper Creek HCS-40P

Click to expand...

Here's another EVSE with a 14-50 plug:

http://shop.quickchargepower.com/JESLA-is-THE-40-amp-J1772-portable-charging-solution-JESLA.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's also available with the following plugs. It will ship with a NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 5-15:

....................................................VOLTS / AMPS.......kW
NEMA 5-15 .......Standard Outlet.. 120 V / 12 A...... 1.4 kW
NEMA 5-20 ...... Motel air conditioner 120/16A....... 1.9 kW
NEMA 10-30......Older Dryers...... 240 V / 24 A...... 5.8 kW
NEMA 14-30......Newer Dryers..... 240 V / 24 A...... 5.8 kW
NEMA 14-50......RV Parks ........... 240 V / 40 A...... 9.6 kW