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Thursday, February 3, 2022
Question:
Hello and thank you for your guidance. I recently purchased an electric vehicle to do my part in addressing pollution problems from combustion engine vehicles. It came with an electric vehicle charger cord assembly that plugs into a 120-volt receltacle. The instructions that came with it indicate that a separate 125-volt, 20-amper branch circuit should be installed. Does the NEC address this?
Frank Waddell
A
Answer:
Hello Frank, thanks for the question. Yes, the NEC does address this two ways. First Section 625.40 indicates that each outlet installed for the purpose of charging electric vehicles shall be supplied by an individual branch circuit. Each circuit shall have no other outlets. That requirement applies where an outlet is installed specifically for the purpose of charging an electric vehicle. Section 625.5 requires all equipment covered by Article 625 be listed. Listed equipment is usually provided with installation instructions from the manufacturer, which are required to be followed in accordance with Section 110.3(B). As an aside, while Section 625.40 does not require an individual branch circuit for the portable (level 1 plug-in) EVSE, the load profile for this equipment is often at least 80% of a general-purpose branch circuit rating (which in dwellings is typically 15 amperes). In addition, electric vehicle supply equipment are continuous loads as indicated in Section 625.42. A continuous load and is expected to draw maximum current for 3 hours or more as indicated in the definition of continuous load in Article 100. Unwanted tripping can result. If the manufacturer's installation and use instructions specify installing an individual branch circuit, then 110.3(B) takes precedent over the provisions in 625.40, and an individual branch circuit should be installed. Hope this provides more insight.