One for our EV experts

[littlespark]

I got one of these ready built consumer units for my father in laws EV install. Got the cables run in, mounted the charge point etc…. Then took the cover of this.
I don’t know, maybe still peed off standing in the rain all afternoon… but this got me confused.

Left to right, RCD, 32A MCB, SPD

Incoming feed into N and 2 of the RCD…. But where do I take the cable out to the charge point?
Top N of the RCD goes to SPD, 1 of the RCD into top of MCB. Out bottom of MCB into SPD.

So logically, my outgoing needs to be top N of RCD, and Live from the bottom of the MCB… both in beside a ferruled linking cable.

Compared to a regular consumer unit, everything’s upside down.

 

[loz2754]

Just to add, I don't know if that's a type 1 or 2 SPD, BTW.

And going off the original post I thought it was a RCD - so most of the comments relate to RCD, RCBOs usually have the 3kA surge withstand I think.

It's a type 2, bottom left corner.

 

[loz2754]

Why a C curve RCBO? And cant make out if its a type A

It's clearly a type A

 

[Julie.]

It's a type 2, bottom left corner.

Fair enough, I didn't know if the T2 was type 2 or part of their references, unrelated to type.

 

[davesparks]

It does have the MCB to isolate the SPD

Yes but im not too comfortable with that arrangement, especially in a domestic installation where the average person would reasonably expect the main switch of a unit to isolate everything else within the unit.

I'd say it possibly falls foul of 462.1.201 in bs7671

 

[Markyd]

So why a C curve and not a B curve

 

[littlespark]

So why a C curve and not a B curve

It comes in the box, so I assume the manufacturer decided it was to be used.

I found this thread
Thread 'Type C MCB needed for EV Charging?'
Type C MCB needed for EV Charging? - https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/type-c-mcb-needed-for-ev-charging.173252/

Which explained B curve caused nuisance tripping sometimes. So may a C is preferred.

 

[Markyd]

It comes in the box, so I assume the manufacturer decided it was to be used.

I found this thread
Thread 'Type C MCB needed for EV Charging?'
Type C MCB needed for EV Charging? - https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/type-c-mcb-needed-for-ev-charging.173252/

Which explained B curve caused nuisance tripping sometimes. So may a C is preferred.

Thanks for reply

 

[littlespark]

Eventually getting round to organising the aviemore ev install. Same customer, same make of EV charger (hypervolt) so can be on same app… (no internet at aviemore where it’s going, but that’s another problem)

The customer (FIL) is now wanting a switch in the shed to completely isolate the charger while no one is there… (holiday lodge, empty majority of time)
Is there going to be an issue having the charge point turned off all the time? Powering on every time will no doubt reset anything inside…
Not withstanding, there will be no communication with the unit when away from it if there’s no power…. Even if it did have internet access.
Rotary isolator with padlock hole would be sufficient there.


Is going to be a mini road trip. Shooting up to Aberdeen to move student daughter out her flat… that’s her finished now…. Furniture, bags, suitcases, her bike! Then over to aviemore all in a day. I’m not leaving my van unattended overnight in tilliedrone for any reason!

Then 3 hours to aviemore, stay the night there… get the job done next day and hope I don’t need any materials as closest wholesalers is Inverness!

 

[littlespark]

Here's me double thinking myself again...

Ive got all the materials in the van ready for "Highland Road Trip 2023"
The cutout and meter are outside, screwed to the back of the timber clad lodge, in its own little cabinet with a felt roof, and tails fed through the wall into the CU inside.

I was going to cut the tails, add a couple of Henleys and fit one of those EV consumer units with rcd and spd. A Fusebox one.
Im wondering now if i should of got an IP rated box, as its only in a wooden cabinet... not entirely waterproof (although should be)
Could i use an "anymake" IP enclosure and move all the Fusebox devices from the metal enclosure into the IP rated one.... Not really mixing manufacturers devices.

 

[loz2754]

Maybe swap it for one of these?

British General Synce EV 5-Module 5-Way Populated EV Charger Consumer Unit with SPD - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Weatherproof metal 1P65 enclosure offering circuit protection for electric vehicle chargers. Includes Type 2 SPD and floating busbar. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com