Charging Cable Length / Extension Cable

[CALLAWISH]

Hi Everyone,

So i've taken the plunge and ordered my Taycan GTS yesterday

Going to get a home charger installed, single phase 7kw, maybe an Anderson, but I see they and similar chargers only come with 6-8m (20-26ft) of cable.
I'm probably going to need around 13-15m (42-50ft) ....

Anyone faced any issues with an extension cable, i'm going to need up to 10m one, to make it the 15m (50ft) run....

Also, any recommendations on a good extension cable?


Thank you

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[awharton]

I had a PodPoint installed a couple of years ago. Recently changed the cable myself to a 15m one. Took about 15mins or so. Didn’t use an extension - wired a new one directly into the unit replacing the existing one. Not sure how easy that is to do on the Anderson unit.

 

[W1NGE]

Hi Everyone,

So i've taken the plunge and ordered my Taycan GTS yesterday

Going to get a home charger installed, single phase 7kw, maybe an Anderson, but I see they and similar chargers only come with 6-8m (20-26ft) of cable.
I'm probably going to need around 13-15m (42-50ft) ....

Anyone faced any issues with an extension cable, i'm going to need up to 10m one, to make it the 15m (50ft) run....

Also, any recommendations on a good extension cable?


Thank you

The Andersen unit comes with a specific 6.5m cable and is long enough to be concealed inside the unit itself (part of the attraction of this particular EVSE) - to extend may not be possible without it becoming visible (or worse).

7.5m cable option available from Porsche (at a price but worth it if you decide to take the PMCC rather than the standard PMC+ (why are you choosing to purchase another EVSE when you get the PMC+ for free and will provide 9.6kW of charging power?).

Both PMC+ & PMCC are IP55 rated - a cover is recommended but given the IP rating not essential (I would advise to protect it that said - my neighbour has his PMCC fully exposed to the elements and has survived 3 storms this year!.

Can't you relocate whatever EVSE you use to be closer than deploy an extension lead (not sure if the current / power will drop noticeably if too long)?

 

[mikeyyn]

If you do use the supplied PMC don’t forget you’ll need PEN fault protection in the circuit. Apparently neither the PMC nor the PMCC have it built in, a Zappi for instance, does.

 

[W1NGE]

It just needs to be properly earthed which should be a given when a 32A supply is taken directly from the fuse box. Andersen's installed my PMCC.

 

[CALLAWISH]

Oh, now I'm confused...

I assumed the PMC+ that came with it was just for charging from a 3pin in emergency....
Isn't it best to keep that in the car as a backup in case I get stuck somewhere and need to charge (slowly) on a 3 pin normal wall socket?

If not, what housing is there available? I can only see docks/housing for the PMCC?

The PMC+ charges faster than all other single phase chargers? I thought single phase was 7kw max like with zappi/anderson etc?


In answer to your question, unfortunately my proposed EVSE location is as close as I can get to where I would park my car.

The Andersen unit comes with a specific 6.5m cable and is long enough to be concealed inside the unit itself (part of the attraction of this particular EVSE) - to extend may not be possible without it becoming visible (or worse).

7.5m cable option available from Porsche (at a price but worth it if you decide to take the PMCC rather than the standard PMC+ (why are you choosing to purchase another EVSE when you get the PMC+ for free and will provide 9.6kW of charging power?).

Both PMC+ & PMCC are IP55 rated - a cover is recommended but given the IP rating not essential (I would advise to protect it that said - my neighbour has his PMCC fully exposed to the elements and has survived 3 storms this year!.

Can't you relocate whatever EVSE you use to be closer than deploy an extension lead (not sure if the current / power will drop noticeably if too long)?

 

[CALLAWISH]

Sorry, excuse my ignorance...

PEN fault protection? I'm assuming a qualified electrician will know what to do? Is a separate unit needed or just something with wiring?

If you do use the supplied PMC don’t forget you’ll need PEN fault protection in the circuit. Apparently neither the PMC nor the PMCC have it built in, a Zappi for instance, does.

 

[CALLAWISH]

I guess PMC+ can't be used to schedule charging at certain hours though?

 

[raharris]

I guess PMC+ can't be used to schedule charging at certain hours though?

The schedule occurs inside the car; it will only pull current when set to charge. Check out the Porsche whispers video on charging your Taycan.

 

[mikeyyn]

Sorry, excuse my ignorance...

PEN fault protection? I'm assuming a qualified electrician will know what to do? Is a separate unit needed or just something with wiring?

You need something like this https://www.electrical2go.co.uk/garo-g6ev40pme-consumer-unit-mcu-type-a-rcbo-pme-fault1.html

Or you have to have an extra earthing rod and a EV specific rcb. This second setup usually costs more.
Zappis, Andersen, and a few others already have all the rcb and pen fault stuff built in. AFAIK the Porsche one doesn’t. (Neither does the Tesla home charger, at least the old one didn’t).

There is an electrician who does a load of videos on this.

https://www.artisanelectrics.co.uk/charging.html

 

[raharris]

Oh, now I'm confused...

I assumed the PMC+ that came with it was just for charging from a 3pin in emergency....
Isn't it best to keep that in the car as a backup in case I get stuck somewhere and need to charge (slowly) on a 3 pin normal wall socket?

If not, what housing is there available? I can only see docks/housing for the PMCC?

The PMC+ charges faster than all other single phase chargers? I thought single phase was 7kw max like with zappi/anderson etc?


In answer to your question, unfortunately my proposed EVSE location is as close as I can get to where I would park my car.

I believe you will get a regular 3-pin and then there should be an alternative ping-tail with a 32a socket. In the US, we get a regular wall outlet plug and a NEMA 24-50 plug.

I have read on here that many just use the free charger that comes with the car - although you won’t want to do that on the 3-pin plug given the charge times

 

[mikeyyn]

Yes, in the UK you get a 13A 3 pin plug and a 32A “commando” plug. You can spec a different commando plug but it’s unnecessary, unless you already have one of those specific outlets available.
These are on short tails and can be changed around as you need them.
You don’t need the housing, it’s really to make it look nicer. They are expensive though. You do get a simple wall mount included that allows you to wall hang the PMC for tidiness.
The PMC will provide 7.2kW on single phase (32A x 230-240V).
There are several UK specific threads on all this somewhere on the site. The search should find them.

 

[W1NGE]

Oh, now I'm confused...

I assumed the PMC+ that came with it was just for charging from a 3pin in emergency....
Isn't it best to keep that in the car as a backup in case I get stuck somewhere and need to charge (slowly) on a 3 pin normal wall socket?

If not, what housing is there available? I can only see docks/housing for the PMCC?

The PMC+ charges faster than all other single phase chargers? I thought single phase was 7kw max like with zappi/anderson etc?


In answer to your question, unfortunately my proposed EVSE location is as close as I can get to where I would park my car.

The PMC+ and PMCC come with two supply cables - 3 pin for mobile / emergency use and an industrial 32A 230v cable - clearly listed in the standard spec list of the car.

Both will provide 7.4kW and up to 22kW in the case of the PMCC (3 phase supply) and to take advantage of that you'd need to also option the 22kW AC onboard charger.

All EVSEs when connected to a dedicated 32A supply will provide 7.4kW - they have to. Fluctuations will occur but will be negligible.

The EVSEs are bulky to carry around given the cabling and occupy a chunk of boot / frunk space. Technically they are portable and could be taken on weekends where you are off grid. 3 pin 13A charging is glacially slow (days) so of no real use other than a measure of last resort.

Porsche Dock will accommodate either PMC+ or PMCC but is better suited to PMCC due to its profile.

 

[CALLAWISH]

Thank you all for your responses. I've got my head round it almost all of it now ?

The only thing I don't really know is my initial question about having a Type 2 extension..... I need up to 15m from my charger to the car...

Has anyone used this length of type 2 cable or used an extension?

 

[W1NGE]

Thank you all for your responses. I've got my head round it almost all of it now ?

The only thing I don't really know is my initial question about having a Type 2 extension..... I need up to 15m from my charger to the car...

Has anyone used this length of type 2 cable or used an extension?

Not many will have but search the forum as there are some examples. The cables are standard and so any compatible extension should work just fine.

https://evonestop.co.uk/products/ev...e-2-to-type-2-16-32-amp-3-6-7-2-kw-5-10-metre - 10m max

Extension https://evonestop.co.uk/products/type-2-extension-cable-5-meter-16-32-amp

https://www.4ev.co.uk/type-2-vehicle

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