PSA: Check your charging receptacle

[chrisk]

You can also install a smoke detector in your garage close to the charger and the car.
In addition, I have a small fire extinguisher (rated for electrical fires) and a small fire blanket. I used to have those in my kitchen even before I had an EV.

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[REIL]

You can also install a smoke detector in your garage close to the charger and the car.
In addition, I have a small fire extinguisher (rated for electrical fires) and a small fire blanket. I used to have those in my kitchen even before I had an EV.

I have had the fire extinguishers and fire blanket in the garage for years. Will add a smoke detector tomorrow..
Thank you.

 

[chrisk]

I have had the fire extinguishers and fire blanket in the garage for years. Will add a smoke detector tomorrow..
Thank you.

I was just checking my current fire extinguisher and I found there is
a big recall from Kidde for extinguishers with the plastic handle manufacturered before 2017 because they get clogged so I will be replacing mine. Check if yours are recalled.
https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/

 

[wmras]

Yes already installed and using for past 3 m months with 6 gauge wire. Bumping up to 60 amp breakers when the electrician installs the Hubbell.

Normally, a 60 amp circuit would be directly wired to your charger - no receptacle or plug. Six gauge wire supports 60 amps, but on a dedicated circuit a 50 amp receptacle does not. Strongly consider staying with a 50 amp breaker. If your existing breaker gets too hot to touch, consider a different brand - we use Siemens and it stays cool at a continuous 40 amps for hours.

 

[REIL]

@wmras will stay with the 50 amp Siemens that we have also after discussing with my electrician. Adding the Hubbell.
Thank you.

 

[mnichols]

I had a similar problem with my 50 amp receptacle getting warm, but not hot. So restricted the current flow in the charger box to 25 amps and solved the issue. It slows the charging rate a bit, but i have all night in the garage to charge the car so no problems.

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