32a commando socket
Discussion
Yes, as already stated you still need and EVSE (charger ) to connect it to the car, there are several chargers which come with either fixed or exchangeable input leads that include a 32A commando. To be compliant with the more recent regulations the commando needs to have the correct circuit breakers, and possibly PEN fault protection. I use the commando socket for the car and plug my welder into it at other times.
It used to be Teslas go to solution and they installed mine at home in 2015. Since then they have their own wall box and stopped offering to install wall chargers or for that matter provide a portable charger.
As said, today it needs to be installed to basically the same regs as a wall charger (which are tighter than they used to be), so the difference when installing from scratch is pretty much just the difference between a fixed and portable charger hardware, but if you’ve already got a 32a commando then you can use it. Just don’t stand bare foot on one leg with your finger in your ear on a wet day when your car has developed an earth leakage and your breaker fails to trip.. such is the difference in regs.
As said, today it needs to be installed to basically the same regs as a wall charger (which are tighter than they used to be), so the difference when installing from scratch is pretty much just the difference between a fixed and portable charger hardware, but if you’ve already got a 32a commando then you can use it. Just don’t stand bare foot on one leg with your finger in your ear on a wet day when your car has developed an earth leakage and your breaker fails to trip.. such is the difference in regs.
kevburner said:
Yes I do. My garage has one of these, the only annoyance is the supply to the garage is only 16A. I'm in rented so not easy to have the RCB or wiring upgraded.So I get slightly better than granny charging at 16A. Would be nice to use the full 32.
Have no issues with the setup beyond that.
Well my ioniq5n delivery date end of november , the commando socket runs of a seperate consumer unit has 2x32a supplies 1 is for the house air conditioning the other 1 for this , ill ugrade it to latest ev regs , and i shoukd be good to then ? Any recommendations on ev consumer unit to latest regs ?
Yeah we've got one very similar although only 16a but it can be set to 8, 10, 13 or 16a.
Fitted the socket for about £30, luckily my CU is only a couple of m from where I wanted it.
With a 16 to 13a plug it's very handy for chucking in the back of the car.
Got a Octopus 7kw charger now so it's not used at home anymore, still handy having the outside socket though occasionally.
Fitted the socket for about £30, luckily my CU is only a couple of m from where I wanted it.
With a 16 to 13a plug it's very handy for chucking in the back of the car.
Got a Octopus 7kw charger now so it's not used at home anymore, still handy having the outside socket though occasionally.
kevburner said:
Yes, I do. I had one installed about 4 years ago and have charged my Model 3 on this since installation. I am pretty much 100% home charging and over 10,000 miles a year.I didn't need a 'smart' charger as the car is the smart part and I also didn't fancy a charger connected to the internet.
It's been 100% reliable over 50,000 miles of charging.
Yes a 32a in my garage that I charged our Tesla from using the TMC that came with the car (2018). Total cost about £30 as I had some 10mm T&E and an rcd protected space in the consumer unit. Wouldn’t meet regs now, but then neither would the granny charger 13a socket I’ve been using since 2015.
For a Tesla using the TMC and commando adapter it’s an easy solution.
For a Tesla using the TMC and commando adapter it’s an easy solution.
Spare tyre said:
NDA said:
Spare tyre said:
I’m looking to do a commando socket
I’ve not been able to find an electrician interested in doing it yet
Whereabouts in Hampshire are you?I’ve not been able to find an electrician interested in doing it yet
Fitting a commando socket is very much like making love to a beautiful woman is dead easy - same as adding a cooker or shower circuit if your consumer unit is up to it.. or split the feed off and add a second consumer unit specifically to supply the 32 amps. Bread and butter to any electrician, the only slightly tricky bit would be using the special EV rcd thingy (which I didn’t).
andy43 said:
Fitting a commando socket is very much like making love to a beautiful woman is dead easy - same as adding a cooker or shower circuit if your consumer unit is up to it.. or split the feed off and add a second consumer unit specifically to supply the 32 amps. Bread and butter to any electrician, the only slightly tricky bit would be using the special EV rcd thingy (which I didn’t).
Exactly this.The special RCD thing which from memory was 'a type B curve RCD' (which I might have got wrong) was a specific requirement and it cost around £100.
My feed was split off as Andy describes and a new separate fuse board was installed. The Type B RCD (in my case) is on the fixed commando socket female end.
ashenfie said:
Yes a 2 pole RCD type B is an option. It’s definitely a good idea to get local electrician ideally one who is up to date with the regulations for EVs There considerations for things like DC leakage that doesn’t really come into play with caravans.
Exactly this.As soon as it's 'intended' for EV charging, that commando socket (or even a 3-pin socket!) technically needs to comply with additional regs. Effectively a type B RCD so as not to be blinded by possible small back-DC leakage elements, and an earth rod or a PEN fault disconnection device.
Most dedicated wall chargers include DC protection and PEN fault protection now which brings the cost delta to a plain commando socket pretty narrow if you follow the regs.
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