Tom Moloughney repairs a homeowner's damaged plug and discusses what caused the issue.

There’s no denying that most electric vehicle charging occurs takes place at home It is not a secret that Not every Level 2 charger is made alike. However, even though L2 installations are typically viewed as simple, they too can vary greatly. These enclosures handle significant electrical currents. Any deficiencies could lead to severe outcomes.

To emphasize that point, our guy Tom Moloughney kicked off a segment on his State of Charge The YouTube channel is named Recharge Rescue. Briefly put, they go to visit individuals who have issues with their residential charging stations. They clarify what went wrong and bring in an authorized electrician with expertise in electric vehicles to fix the situation.

His series began last year, however, the newest addition transports us to Ohio for a Mustang Mach-E owner with a damaged NEMA 14-50 receptacle.

The video begins by offering crucial guidance: not every outlet marketed as industrial-grade can handle prolonged high-power usage effectively. Moloughney points out a Leviton 279-S00 plug, usually priced at approximately $10 and considered industrial quality. He contrasts this model with a more recent Leviton design tailored explicitly for electric vehicle charging. Significant distinctions emerge; the advanced plug features increased thickness along with enhanced internal metallic components and superior mounting connections for wire attachment within the casing.

The cost discrepancy is significant—at $66 compared to $10. However, Moloughney points out that the elevated price is entirely justified due to enhanced quality and functionality. To sum up, you invest more to receive more.

When visiting the Mach-E owner, we observed that the melted NEMA plug was actually a smaller, inferior model. Fortunately for them, a significant fire did not break out in this instance. The overheating caused by the faulty setup fused the charger’s plug into position within the outlet. Moloughney provided a replacement charger which would be installed alongside an experienced electrician who decided to remove the problematic outlet entirely. Instead, they opted for direct hardwiring. Additionally, the breaker panel received an upgrade as it had been found earlier that the prior electrician improperly fitted a 60-amp breaker along with 6-gauge Romex cable to supply electricity to what should have been a 50-amp receptacle. To prevent overload issues, the new charger was set at a reduced capacity of 40 amps.

The update process proceeds without issues, however, the key message from the clip advises against cutting corners during your domestic setup. Typically, opting for hardwiring is preferable; nonetheless, should you choose to use a plug, ensure it meets industrial standards and can manage prolonged energy consumption required for electric vehicle charging. Additionally, it’s advisable to engage a certified electrician who has expertise inEV installations to oversee the procedure.

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