Outside plug for Granny Charger.

[tony7]

Hello all.
I've just got an PHEV electric car and I can charge the car with the provided Granny Charger, using a standard 13amp socket.

I was going to buy this outside socket..

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-ip66-13a-1-gang-weatherproof-outdoor-unswitched-active-plug-socket-with-rcbo/889rg

I can, or my spark can get power to it easy enough, coming for a socket just on the other side of the outside wall, in the living room.

That socket dosen't have an on/off switch, would that matter? I thought like most appliances its best to switch off first before removing the plug.

Unless you can recommend another outside socket.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mottie]

I wouldn’t personally bother but you could get one of these.

BG 13A 1 Gang IP66 Socket with External Switch WP21ES

The BG Nexus 13A 1 Gang socket with external switch has an IP66 protection rating. It is easy to install and comes with power indicator that illuminates when in use. This robust sealed externally switched socket is ideal for garden or commercial use. Key Features Cover Sealed IP66 Rated...

www.builderdepot.co.uk

I don’t have a PHEV but my outside (un switched) socket is fed via a switched spur in the lounge. We use it to turn the outside Christmas lights on from inside or occasionally the vacuum when cleaning the car. Oh, and the pressure washer…

 

[tony7]

I wouldn’t personally bother but you could get one of these.

BG 13A 1 Gang IP66 Socket with External Switch WP21ES

The BG Nexus 13A 1 Gang socket with external switch has an IP66 protection rating. It is easy to install and comes with power indicator that illuminates when in use. This robust sealed externally switched socket is ideal for garden or commercial use. Key Features Cover Sealed IP66 Rated...

www.builderdepot.co.uk

I don’t have a PHEV but my outside (un switched) socket is fed via a switched spur in the lounge. We use it to turn the outside Christmas lights on from inside or occasionally the vacuum when cleaning the car. Oh, and the pressure washer…

Thank you, I wonder do I need one with RCBO?

 

[Mottie]

Thank you, I wonder do I need one with RCBO?

I’m not enough of an electrician to know but if I had an illuminated switch outside to charge my car, I’d be worried that some wag would switch it off.

Never had any problems with my unswitched one in 25+years and only last week I fitted another unswitched one in my garden to power my recently purchased leaf sucker upper although that is fitted on the side of my garage and wired directly into the garage circuit so it’s live 24/7. I think the garage has got a RCBO.

 

[tony7]

Thank you Mattie, good to know.

That could be right enough about an eejit trying to be smart

 

[Murdochcat]

The circuit needs to have RCD/ RCBO protection at the fuseboard

 

[tony7]

The circuit needs to have RCD/ RCBO protection at the fuseboard

Hi, I had a look at my consumer unit and I see RCD with a test button.
Does that mean I do not need an outside socket with RCBO?

Thank you.

 

[Murdochcat]

Hi, I had a look at my consumer unit and I see RCD with a test button.
Does that mean I do not need an outside socket with RCBO?

Thank you.

If the circuit you intend to change has got RCD or RCBO protection there is absolutely no need for a RCD socket

 

[tony7]

If the circuit you intend to change has got RCD or RCBO protection there is absolutely no need for a RCD socket

Thanks

 

[ericmark]

A mini consumer unit with loss of PEN detection will likely cost around £140 and these will also likely have an RCD built in, so no need for a RCD with the socket, and even if using a RCD I would not be using the active type, last thing you want is to return to the car to find there had been a short power cut which has tripped the RCD.

If the house is on a TT supply, then loss of PEN detection not required, but the debate has to be, 2.3 kW or 7 kW and if latter standard or V2G type.

There seems to be little advantage in doing the job twice, so much is down to supply to house, and what the car can use, and what the car can do.

My son now wishes he had got the V2G EV charging point, with all the talk now about power cuts, your car may last 5 years, but the charging point more like 25 years, so not just what you have now, but what you may get in the future.

Security is another question. Back of my house, the drive many don't even know it exists, so worries about people stealing power is near zero. Or unplugging as a joke.

The proper EV socket, has a lot more security to a 13 amp socket, as to if I got an EV I would change the socket to an EV rated one I don't know, but to use an existing is a lot different to fitting one specially for the EV.