Range Confidence: Charge Fast, Drive Far, with your Electric CarBy David Herron |
Electricity is everywhere, and could theoretically power electric cars anywhere we wish to go.
If we only charge at home, we're limited to driving within a circle around our home. Public charging stations extends the area we can drive with, but that's still limited to areas with charging stations. Why should we allow either limit where we can drive? Electricity is everywhere, why not access that electricity to drive anywhere? At this time that means developing knowledge of some simple rules for safely using extension cords and adapter cables matching any power outlet, and carrying with you a high power charging station.
The public charging network, and informal use of power outlets
Currently (2017) the public charging station network isn't enough to let us freely drive our electric vehicles anywhere we want. Most cities have public level 2 and even fast charging, but the inter-city charging network is weak. Electricity is everywhere, but has to be adapted into a charging plug for use with the car. Accessing a high power electric outlet with a portable high power charging station means we don't have to be limited to the public charging station network, and can charge at a reasonable rate nearly anywhere.
The car manufacturers provide a 120 volts 12 amps (1.2 kilowatts) line cord charger with each car. In a pinch that station can be used anywhere to get some electricity into the car, but at 4-5 miles range per hour of charging you'll be parked for a long time. They're great at home or anywhere else where a long recharge time is acceptable.
The outlet shown to the right, a NEMA 14-50 outlet, or other 240 volt 50 amp outlets, are the primary objective for full-speed 6 kiloWatt electric vehicle charging away from both home and the public charging network. This, and other 240 volt 40-50 amp outlets, will let you charge at 6 kiloWatts continuous power. That's enough for 25 miles of range per hour of charging. (see Understanding charging rates and effective trip speed) Many RV parks have NEMA 14-50 outlets, making them potential informal charging locations.
The pieces of this puzzle are:-
- The power outlet
- Possibly an extension cord
- An "EVSE" (portable charging station) with J1772 charging cord
- Possibly a J1772 extension cord
- Charging port on the vehicle, and the on-board charger
Which end to extend? We can use an extension cord between the power outlet and the EVSE, or between the EVSE and the car. The safest is to use a J1772 extension cord between the EVSE and the car.
Safety Every step must be done safely. We bought our electric vehicles to, for example, help the climate. Getting on the evening news by causing an electrical fire negates the gain you might have achieved.
The J1772 charging protocol ensures safety between the car and the portable charging station. The risk comes from the power outlet you're using, and the quality of any extension cord you're using.
What's the charging rate? How many amps will be used by your car through a specific charging unit? Your car will support a maximum charging rate, often 6 kiloWatts. The owners manual will list the maximum charging rate, and some electric cars support changing the rate. The car and EVSE negotiate the charging rate depending on the capacity of the EVSE and car:
| EVSE type | Range per hour of charging | Power required | Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical line charger | 4 miles | 120 volts 12 amps | 120 volts 20 amps |
| 3 kW EVSE | 10-12 miles | 240 volts 16 amps | 240 volts 20 amps |
| 4-5 kW EVSE | 18 miles | 240 volts 24 amps | 240 volts 30 amps |
| 6 kW EVSE | 20-25 miles | 240 volts 32 amps | 240 volts 40 amps |
What's the required power outlet and cord ratings? The electrical code's 80% rule says a "continuous load" must be limited to 80% of the rating of the circuit breaker and power outlets. The last column in this table tells you the required rating to support a given charging rate.
Ampacity is the measure of the maximum safe current (amps) we can use in a wire of a given thickness. Generally, the thicker the wire the more current it can carry. Wire thickness is measured in "gauge", and you may have seen this number used. A typical home extension cord is 14 gauge, for example. That wire gauge is completely insufficient and unsafe for the line-cord charger that comes with electric cars.
The 120 volt line-cord charger usually runs at 12 amps, and requires a 10 gauge extension cord. The 6 kiloWatt charging stations run at 32 amps continuous, and requires a 6 gauge extension cord.
More details see: Electric car charging within electrical code and power outlet limits
Wait, isn't it dangerous to use an extension cord to charge a vehicle?
Is it safe to use extension cords and adapters to charge an electric car? Yes, with care. Can you charge an electric car from a dryer outlet? Yes, with care. The short answer is to use a good quality extension cord with thick wires and beefy plugs. In the lists below we show several choices for 120 volt 10 gauge extension cords that are safe for use with a line cord charger, and several 240 volt 40 amp extension cords safe for use with higher power charging stations.
WARNING: Vehicle manufacturers universally warn against using an extension cord to extend the reach of the supplied line-cord charger. Please, exercise caution in reading what is written here.
The general principles are:
- Check carefully the power socket rating
- Check carefully the wiring to the power socket
- Use heavy duty cables with high enough gauge to handle the current
- Don't use cables that are frayed or broken
- If you can, adjust the vehicle charger to not draw more current than you know is safe
- Your power is limited by the weakest link in the chain - don't draw more through a circuit than its rating
- Check whether cords or connections are getting hot while in use
- Use the shortest length of cord possible
What is a substandard dangerous situation? A skinny cord, frayed wiring, bad power socket, acts like a "resistor" or "heating element". Sending too much current through a bad connection acts like a heater. Say your car is pulling 6 kilowatts, a 10% loss from a bad connection means 600 watts being dissipated as heat, or about the same as a typical hair dryer. That's a common cause of electrical fires.
Avoid violating Electrical codes Smart electricians and electrical engineers have spent decades cooperatively developing the electrical code. Their recommendations were won through hard work and the occasional electrical fire.
Your fate is in your hands - this is for educational purposes. I am offering this for education, and you are responsible for your actions. Applied incorrectly this can cause electrocution or fire. Take care, be smart and educated, and you'll be okay.
The need for safety: Done badly, it's possible to cause damage. The warning against extension cords isn't a whimsy, they're rightfully concerned about safety. Carefully done, you can safely ignore that warning, but you must know what you're doing. There have been multiple fires from electric cars being charged through substandard wiring. How? Bad wiring can easily cause enough heat to raise surrounding materials to the ignition point. This isn't a new issue since electrical fires have happened for as long as we've used electricity. Careful use of good quality extension cords and power outlets is the way to avoid an electrical fire.
J1772 electric car extension cords are the best choice, if built right
The most correct electric car extension cord fits between the J1772 plug from the charging station to the J1772 socket on your car.
Think about the concerns just raised: skinny frayed extension cords plugging into dodgy power outlets that might cause an electrical fire. An extension cord that you know is built for the purpose, from components rated to the load that will be carried, is the safest choice. Unfortunately there are cheap sub-standard J1772 extension cords, just as there are cheap substandard extension cords of other types.
Ratings: As with every other component in the charging system, the J1772 extension cord must be rated to handle the current shown in the chart above. For a 6+ kiloWatt charging session, the cord needs to be rated for at least 40 amps, for example.
Wire size: To be useful, a J1772 extension cord has to be 25 feet or longer, which can mean a significant voltage drop with thin wires. For a 6+ kiloWatt charging session, the wires should be 8 gauge or thicker, going by the ampacity charts referenced earlier.
Flexibility: Your J1772 extension cord will be used in a variety of settings, so a flexible cord is a must.
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JLong 40 amp J1772 extension cable, from Quick Charge Power
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J1772 extension cords on ebay.com
"Regular" Extension Cords
The following are some useful extension cords for use with an electric car charging station. Since they're designed for regular power outlets, they fit between the charging station and a power outlet.
NOTE CAREFULLY: When in the store looking at extension cords, read the label carefully and look at the thickness of the wire.
Some of these have a molded plug on one end, and bare wire at the other. That makes them excellent starting points for building adapter cords. Simply attach the desired plug or socket to the end with bare wires.
NEMA 14-50 extension cords - 40 amps max charge rate
These will be primarily used with higher power 6+ kiloWatt charging stations. Every one of these extension cords have the beefy wires and connectors required to handle a 40 amps continuous charging rate. That's enough to handle any electric car charging situation you'll face.
Camco 55195 50 AMP 30' Extension Cord with PowerGrip Handle
This cord is rated for 50 amps, uses 6 gauge wiring, and has NEMA 14-50 connectors on each end. That is an excellent combination that will handle pretty much any current load you can throw at it.
General Electric WX9X35 4-wire Range Cord, 4-foot
40 Amp, 4 wire, Range power cord This 4 foot cord is rated 40 amps, 125/250 volts, with two 8 gauge wires and two 10 gauge wires. This cord is a useful starting point for building 14-50 adapter cables
PETRA 90-2028 10-Foot 4-Wire Dryer Cord
40 Amp, 4 wire, Range power cord This 4 foot cord is rated 40 amps, 125/250 volts, with two 8 gauge wires and two 10 gauge wires. This cord is a useful starting point for building 14-50 adapter cables
Coleman Cable 09014 6/2 and 8/1-Gauge SRDT 50-Amp Range Power Supply Cord, 4-Feet, 3-Wire, 125/250V
Coleman Cable 09014 6/2 and 8/1-Gauge SRDT 50-Amp Range Power Supply Cord, 4-Feet, 3-Wire, 125/250V. Right-angle plug allows installation closer to the wall. Has a 3 prong plug. 50-Amp. 4-feet long wire with strain relief bracket to ensure safe installation.
NU-CORD 25 ft. 6/3 8/1 NEMA 14-50 RV Extension Cord
Using 6-gauge wiring and molded plugs, this extension cord has the heft required for the task at hand. The plug/connector ends have built-in handles for easier handling. Home Depot also carries a
Utilitech 6-ft 50-Amp 6-Gauge Black Indoor Extension Cord
This cord is rated for 50 amps, uses 6 gauge wiring, and has a NEMA 14-50 connector on one end. The other end has bare wires apparently meant to wire into some equipment, but of course you can attach another plug on that end. That is an excellent combination that will handle pretty much any current load you can throw at it.
NEMA 6-50 extension cords - 40 amps max charge rate
These are the same as the NEMA 14-50 cords, but with 6-50 connectors instead. They also support a 40 amp charge rate, and will handle any charging situation you'll face.
Milspec Direct 25-Foot 8-Gauge STW Pro Grip 40A Welding Extension Cord for Portable Welders, Black
Professional quality patented Pro Grip lighted welding extension cords bring power to where you need it. Todays portable welders have power supply cords that are much too short. Rated at 50A-250V (NEMA 6-50), each extension cord features two clear neon lighted ends that allow you to make sure power is flowing through your cord. In addition, the bright neon lit ends illuminate in the dark and visually makes the connects and disconnects easier to do. The specially crafted, high visibility jacket on Pro Grip cords are designed to be Flame Retardant (FT2), Water Resistant (WR), and Cold Weather Resistant (-40F). Patented Pro Grip nylon handles make pulling apart plugs and connectors from each other easier with less effort and stress. Pro Grip handles easily fold away when not in use.
Coleman Cable 1917 8/3 STW 6-50 Welder Extension Cord, Blue, 25-Foot
Coleman Cable 1917 8/3 STW 6-50 Welder Extension Cord, Blue, 25-Foot. 8-Gauge plug. Stw jacket for heavy-duty performance. Lighted receptacle end indicates when power is on. Molded ends offer safety and convenience on the jobsite. Bring portability to welding machines and create convenience. Provide a convenient, safe method to extend the range of welding equipment. Intended for new commercial construction, mro industrial and general welding.
NEMA L14-30 extension cords - 24 amp maximum charging rate
The outlets rated for 30 amps are useful with the 16 amp or 24 amp charging stations. Using these outlets may require buying or building an adapter cord to match the EVSE's plug to the power outlet.
Iron Box # IBX-5805-50M - 30 Amp L14-30 Generator Extension Power Cord - 4-Wire, 30A, 125/250V, UL LISTED
Heavy duty UL listed L14-30 generator extension cord rated for outdoor use. 50 foot length, uses a heavy duty flexible SJOOW jacket. For use with generators that feature an L14-30R receptacle. Cable generally extends another L14-30 power cord plug, or connects to a transfer switch or inlet box with a male L14-30P inlet.
Conntek 20602 50-Foot 10/4 30 Amp 125/250 Volt 4 Prong L14-30 Transfer Switch Cord/Generator Extension Cord
Generator Extension Cord, 3 Pole, 4 Wire Grounding, NEMA L14-30P to NEMA L14-30R Max Power: 7500W, Stays flexible in cold weather, Heat Resistant up to 221F Application:Transfer Switches, Generator,...etc. Approval: Plug, Connector, : UL, C-UL Cable: 50FT STW 10/4 rating:30A 125/250V
Coleman Cable 01912 25-Feet 10/3 Generator Power Cord with L5-30P Plug and 3-Outlets
The Coleman Cable 01912 25-foot 30 Amp 10-gauge Tri-Source (locking male) generator cord plugs into 30 Amp locking outlets on a generator. The Tri-Source female end provides three extra 15 Amp standard outlets, while the vinyl jacket protects against moisture, abrasions, and exposure to sunlight. The cord features one male 5-20P plug with three 5-15 female outlets, is rated for rugged outdoor use, and is engineers specially to work with portable generators.
NEMA L6-30 extension cords - 24 amp maximum charging rate
Ditto.
NEMA L6-30 Extension Power Cord - 20 Foot, 30A/250V, 10/3 SJOOW - Iron Box Part # IBX-5803-20
NEMA L6-30 extension power cord allows you to extend an L6-30P power cable up to 20 feet. Rated for 30 Amps, 250 Volts. L6-30P plug to L6-30R connector.
L6-30 Extension Power Cord, 15 Foot - 30A, 250V, 10/3 Wire
A 15 foot L6-30P to L6-30R locking extension power cable, rated for 30 amps and 250 volts. Used typically in rackmount PDU's, servers, UPS, and generators.
NEMA 6-20 extension cords - 16 amp maximum charging rate
Ditto, and the 20 amp outlets are limited to use with 16 amp charging stations.
NEMA 6-20 Extension Power Cord - 25 Foot, 20A/250V, 12/3 SJT - Iron Box # IBX-6153-25M
This is a simple 25 foot extension cord with molded plugs for NEMA 6-20. It would be a great companion to the AeroVironment TurboCord shown above.
Stanley 31626 Grounded 250-volt Heavy Duty Appliance Pro Extension Cord, 6-Feet, Gray
This Stanley Appliance Pro heavy duty 6-Foot extension cord will handle most of your appliance needs where the distance to the outlet occurs. It is a 250 volt cord and has a gauge of AWG 12/3 SPT. The Right angle plug will sit flat against the wall. It has a heavy duty vinyl insulation.
NEMA 5-20 extension cords - 16 amp maximum charging rate
The 120 volt power outlets are limited to use with the line cord EVSE sold with the car. When looking at 120 volt extension cords you must be very careful with the wire gauge. The typical skinny 14 or 16 gauge extension cord simply won't cut it for EV charging. You must use a heavy-duty cord with 10 gauge wires and good quality connectors.
Yellow Jacket 2806 10/3 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp SJTW Contractor Extension Cord with Lighted End, 100-Feet
Yellow Jacket 2806 10/3 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp SJTW Contractor Extension Cord with Lighted End, 100-Feet. Super flexibility in cold and hot weather. Power Lite power indicator lamp glows through the extra heavy, clear molded plug when the cord has power. Three times as abrasion resistant as standard vinyl, making these cords the toughest on the jobsite. Extra heavy, clear molded plugs are rugged, durable and oversized. Meets OSHA specifications, UL Listed. 10 Gauge.
100 ft. 10/3 SJTW Extension Cord with Lighted Plug
Meant for heavy-duty applications, this 10 gauge cord is also light-weight and easy to roll into a compact unit.
Utilitech 50-ft 20-Amp 110-Volt 10-Gauge Yellow Outdoor Extension Cord
This cord is rated for 20 amps, uses 10 gauge wiring, and has a NEMA 5-20 connectors on each ends. The connectors light up when powered, and the bright yellow color should mitigate tripping hazards. That is an excellent combination that will handle your line cord charger with ease.
Commercially built adapters
You won't always find the nirvana of matching the charging station to the power outlet. An adapter, whether commercially made or home-made, is often necessary. Be careful with adapters to avoid the position of drawing 32 amps from an outlet rated for 16 amps. If you're lucky the circuit breaker will prevent a serious problem.
NEMA 6-50 to L14-30, 240 volt 30 amp
NEMA 6-50 to 14-50, 240 volt 50 amp
NEMA L14-30P to NEMA 14-50R, 240 volt 30 amp
NEMA 14-30P to NEMA L14-30R
Conntek 14330 1.5-Foot Adapter 30 Amp NEMA 14-30P 4 Prong Male Plug To 30 Amp 125/250 L14-30R Volt Locking Female Connector
Another adapter cable, between NEMA 14-30 straight pin to NEMA L14-30 locking.
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NEMA L14-30P to 6-15/20R
NEMA-L5-20R to NEMA-5-20P, 120 volt 20 amp
NEMA 14-50 to TT-30
The TT-30 outlet is 120 volts up to 30 amps (24 amps continuous).
Camco 55185 PowerGrip 30M/50F AMP 18 inch Dogbone Electrical Adapter with Handles 3750W/125V
This adapter converts between NEMA 14-50 and NEMA TT-30P (30 amp).
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Camco 55175 18 inch PowerGrip Dogbone Electrical Adapter with Handle
This adapter converts between NEMA TT-30P and NEMA 14-50 (30 amp).
Ground Fault protection
Charging an electric vehicle is almost certainly going to happen outside. It might be raining. Water and electricity is of course a bad idea. GFCI plugs are designed to make it safe.
Voltec 04-00102 12/3 STW 20 Amp GFCI Power Block Adapter with Lighted End, 3-Foot, Blue with Yellow Stripe
20 amp in-line GFCI adapter with lighted power block, length: 2ft, gauge: 12/3, wire type: STW, 3 outlets, plug type: 5-15P, receptacle type: 5-15R, 20 amps, rating watts: 1875. In other words, this is a short extension cord with GFCI. It is only suitable for a level 1 charger, but will be good insurance.
Tower Manufacturing 30396500-08 20 amp Line And Load Side User Attachable In-Line GFCI With Manual Reset
This unit fits over a cord, giving you strong protection from the elements, while providing GFCI protection.
Leviton WT899-W 20-Amp 125-Volt SmartLock Pro Slim Weather-Resistant and Tamper-Resistant GFCI Receptacle, White
A regular power outlet with GFCI protection. For use in the field, you can install this in a junction box and run wiring into it. However, it is little better than the extension cords, and of course this is limited to level 1 charging.
Tower Manufacturing 30339005 15 amp 3-Wire GFCI Outlet Adapter
15 amp 3-wire ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet adapter for converting standard indoor electrical outlet into GFCI outlet to protect from shock, electrical fire or electrocution. This is an in-line plug/socket making it a little simpler to use than an extension cord. However, it is only rated for 15 amps limiting its usefulness somewhat.
Farm Innovators CC-2 Cord Connect Water-Tight Cord Lock - Green
This is not a GFCI protector at all, instead it fits over cable connections, giving strong protection against the elements.
Sockets and Plugs
These products are useful for building custom adapter cords.
NEMA 14-50 - 240 volt 50 amp
NEMA 6-50 - 240 volt 50 amp
NEMA L14-30
NEMA L6-30 - 240 volt 30 amp
NEMA L6-20
NEMA 6-50, 6-30, 240 volt, 50 amp, 30 amp
Cooper Wiring Devices S42-SP-L Commercial Grade Angle Vinyl Power Plug with 30/50-Amp, 250-Volt, 6-30/6-50-NEMA Rating, Black
The commercial grade angle power plug has feature dual current model furnished with blades. Terminals have pressure plates to protect wires. This device is constructed of abuse-resistant thermoplastic. 30/50-amp, 250-volt, 6-30/6-50-NEMA rating and 3-pole, 3-wire grounding configuration. Available in black color. Measures 2-7/8-Inch length by 1-3/8-width by 3-3/8-Inch height.
Leviton 931 30/50 Amp, 250 Volt, Plug, Angle, Grounding, Black
* 2 pole, 3 wire grounding dual power angle plugs with interchangeable blades * Dual power vinyl angle plug - interchangeable blades * 250 Volt * 60 Hz AC Grounding * Molded of tough, black vinyl * Heavily plated steel cable clamp concealed in plug-protected from wear prevents catching on equipment or clothing * Meets all range, dryer and other heavy duty cord requirements * Color-coded terminal screws accept up to No. 6 stranded conductor * Terminal screws are backed out and staked * 3.484"L x 2.562"W x 1.427"D * 30/50 Amp * Maximum cord diameter -.630 - 1.050" * Interchangeable blades * NEMA (6-30P) (6-50P) * Black height.
NEMA 6-20
Leviton 620PV 20 Amp, 250 Volt, Plug, Grounding, Yellow
20 Amp, 250 Volt, NEMA 6-20P, 2P, 3W, Plug, Straight Blade, Commercial Grade, Grounding - Yellow
NEMA TT-30P
Heavy duty wire/cable
Wire Cord, 50 Ft, Rubber Coated, 10 Gauge, 4 Conductor (10/4) 600v SOOW
50 foot long Rubber SOOW cord is designed for indoor or outdoor applications. 4 conductors can be stripped and installed in many types of power connectors including L14-30, 5-30, 6-30, 7-30, 24-30, 10-30, 11-30, 15-30 or 18-30. Suitable for use with RVs, Generators and Theater lighting.
Coleman Cable 09607 10/4 Bulk Wire, 25-Amp 10-Gauge 25-Feet
Coleman Cable 09607 25-Feet Bulk Wire 10-Gauge 4-Cond SJEOOW Seoprene Rated 105-Degree Celsius, 10/4 Flexible and tough jacket. Offers -50-Degree Celsius to 105-Degree Celsius temperature extremes. Seoprene offers excellent abrasion, ozone, sunlight, chemical and oil resistance as well as water and mold resistant non-wicking lightweight polypropylene fillers. Water resistant with high dielectric insulation. Lightweight, long lasting, easy to carry and easy to handle. All components are recyclable and non-hazardous for environmental landfill disposal. Color coded conductors for easy identification. This type of wire has many applications, they include Special uses requiring flexibility and mechanical toughness, high environmental resistance and flame retardance. Push button remote controls. Motor control, stage equipment and lighting. Industrial control and robotic systems. Outdoor applications. Suitable and approved for submersion in water.
