Garage Charger Fire!
#1
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Garage Charger Fire!
So, my EQS was charging normally today after golf, had another hour or so to go. We heard a pop in the kitchen, and I smelled an electrical fire. Went to the garage, which was filled with smoke, and the NEMA 6/50 plug for my ChargePoint Homeflex was on fire. I had my wife call the fire department and move her car, while I shut off the power at the circuit breaker on the back of our house. I then unplugged and moved my EQS, and used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The fire department arrived a few minutes later with their temperature gadgets, took out some drywall and insulation, and checked both attics to make sure the fire was actuallly out....luckily, it was. So, minimal damage. I can say that the ChargePoint Homeflex circuit brakers had apparently tripped, because it had shut off. But the brakers on the 240V circuit were not tripped until I shut them off. Pretty scary event....very lucky to have had just superficial damage. Ovbiously, I will now have the entire circuit install redone by someone very reputable....maybe the Mercedes installer with a new Mercedes Wallbox. Don't understand why this happened. Circuit was rated at 50amp, had a 50amp circuit braker. ChargePoint Homeflex was set at 40amp for a 9.6 kW charge. Had been working fine for 2 1/2 years. It was the NEMA 6/50 box, which Mercedes recommended when I bought my car in January 2022, not the NEMA 14/50. Maybe that was the problem? Don't know. Definitely just dodged a bullet!
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stanjj46 (05-27-2024)
#5
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Scary stuff. Let us know what you find out as many of us could potentially run into this problem one day.
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MBNUT1 (05-27-2024)
#6
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The Audi e-tron pages have several threads on cheaper "Home Depot" plug recepticals and over temps and arcing.
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MBNUT1 (05-27-2024)
#7
I think the NEMA 6-50 is the weak point, especially if it is consumer grade.
Even if you switch to NEMA 14-50, don't use consumer grade.
Only use Hubbell NEMA receptacles, costs a lot more but they are industrial grade. A slightly cheaper alternative is Bryant Electric - it is actually a rebranded Hubbell.
Or use Hard Wire.
I have also bought a smoke detector for my garage.
Even if you switch to NEMA 14-50, don't use consumer grade.
Only use Hubbell NEMA receptacles, costs a lot more but they are industrial grade. A slightly cheaper alternative is Bryant Electric - it is actually a rebranded Hubbell.
Or use Hard Wire.
I have also bought a smoke detector for my garage.
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MBNUT1 (05-27-2024)
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#8
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Thread Starter
I think the NEMA 6-50 is the weak point, especially if it is consumer grade.
Even if you switch to NEMA 14-50, don't use consumer grade.
Only use Hubbell NEMA receptacles, costs a lot more but they are industrial grade. A slightly cheaper alternative is Bryant Electric - it is actually a rebranded Hubbell.
Or use Hard Wire.
I have also bought a smoke detector for my garage.
Even if you switch to NEMA 14-50, don't use consumer grade.
Only use Hubbell NEMA receptacles, costs a lot more but they are industrial grade. A slightly cheaper alternative is Bryant Electric - it is actually a rebranded Hubbell.
Or use Hard Wire.
I have also bought a smoke detector for my garage.
#9
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I suspect that is exactly the culprit. I will probably have it hard wired going forward. Not sure if I'll use another ChargePoint, or go with the Mercedes Wallbox, but it will be done right this time! And, I've already made plans for the garage smoke detector, which would have given me much advanced warning. By the time I heard the pop, flames were already coming out of the wall recepticle for the NEMA 6/50. Close call.
I have a Wallbox Plus EV charger hard-wired into the breaker box. Compatible with the Mercedes Me app for all charging transactions. The circuit breaker is 60A since my charger can deliver 50A to a vehicle. My EQEX4 only accepts 40A so a bit of planning for the future. A smoke detector is also a good idea in a garage even with just a ICE.
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MBNUT1 (05-27-2024)
#10
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Many articles explain why EV charging places a different sort of load on both circuit breakers and plugs. The issue appears to be the length of a charging session compared to that of a clothes dryer which creates continuous high temperature. The receptacles are not designed for repeated connect/disconnect cycles. There was an article about a breaker box fire because the wires were not torqued correctly.
I have a Wallbox Plus EV charger hard-wired into the breaker box. Compatible with the Mercedes Me app for all charging transactions. The circuit breaker is 60A since my charger can deliver 50A to a vehicle. My EQEX4 only accepts 40A so a bit of planning for the future. A smoke detector is also a good idea in a garage even with just a ICE.
I have a Wallbox Plus EV charger hard-wired into the breaker box. Compatible with the Mercedes Me app for all charging transactions. The circuit breaker is 60A since my charger can deliver 50A to a vehicle. My EQEX4 only accepts 40A so a bit of planning for the future. A smoke detector is also a good idea in a garage even with just a ICE.
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HBerman (05-27-2024)
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I suspect that is exactly the culprit. I will probably have it hard wired going forward. Not sure if I'll use another ChargePoint, or go with the Mercedes Wallbox, but it will be done right this time! And, I've already made plans for the garage smoke detector, which would have given me much advanced warning. By the time I heard the pop, flames were already coming out of the wall recepticle for the NEMA 6/50. Close call.
#12
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In terms of the plug duty cycle are you plugging and unplugging the charger at the outlet? I wouldn't imagine that you are.
Thanks for posting this. It has caused me to rethink charging at my MIL's house with our 120 V portable charger for our Niro.
Last edited by MBNUT1; 05-27-2024 at 12:01 PM.
#13
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I'm curious about the installed NEMA 6/50 outlet. Was this already installed in the garage for the purpose of accommodating an EV charger (I think NEC building code required this beginning in 2013), or was it installed more recently after you purchased your EV and required a charger? A licensed electrician did the install?
#14
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1. if you charge your EV at garage, please buy a battery operated smoke detector. I have a nest smoke detector in my garage just in case.
2. use hot wire charger if you can. my nema outlet turn into grey color only 8 months of use. my electrician said he been replacing customers' nema plug because it melted. he brought it to Home Depot and their respond is all those nema plugs are within the spec, if anything goes wrong please sue Home Depot directly.
2. use hot wire charger if you can. my nema outlet turn into grey color only 8 months of use. my electrician said he been replacing customers' nema plug because it melted. he brought it to Home Depot and their respond is all those nema plugs are within the spec, if anything goes wrong please sue Home Depot directly.
#15
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I am guessing it didn't trip because the current didn't exceed 50 amps. The plug overheated at the 40 amp draw as others have suggested.
In terms of the plug duty cycle are you plugging and unplugging the charger at the outlet? I wouldn't imagine that you are.
Thanks for posting this. It has caused me to rethink charging at my MIL's house with our 120 V portable charger for our Niro.
In terms of the plug duty cycle are you plugging and unplugging the charger at the outlet? I wouldn't imagine that you are.
Thanks for posting this. It has caused me to rethink charging at my MIL's house with our 120 V portable charger for our Niro.
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MBNUT1 (05-27-2024)
#16
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I'm curious about the installed NEMA 6/50 outlet. Was this already installed in the garage for the purpose of accommodating an EV charger (I think NEC building code required this beginning in 2013), or was it installed more recently after you purchased your EV and required a charger? A licensed electrician did the install?
#17
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All NEMA 14-50 receptacles are not the same. The $12 Levitons are very light duty and feel like a toy when compared to $60 Hubbell 9450a receptacles.
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hlothery (05-27-2024)
#18
When you hardwire, you will also lose the ability to reboot the EVSE or otherwise turn off its power, other than running around to the circuit breaker. If you can, have them install a disconnect at the EVSE so you have that option. This may or may not be possible due to physical constraints or building code in your area, but it's a nice feature.
#19
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When you hardwire, you will also lose the ability to reboot the EVSE or otherwise turn off its power, other than running around to the circuit breaker. If you can, have them install a disconnect at the EVSE so you have that option. This may or may not be possible due to physical constraints or building code in your area, but it's a nice feature.
#20
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I am not telling you what to or not to do. I am just saying, that if insurance finds out, they won’t be happy. And when your homeowners insurance company isn’t happy, they won’t stop being happy until you are unhappy, with higher premiums, or cancelation.
We are being told one thing from our supposed betters, that the right thing to do is go all electric, green, solar, wind, and save the planet. But our insurance company says, if you do any of that, they will punish you.
We are being told one thing from our supposed betters, that the right thing to do is go all electric, green, solar, wind, and save the planet. But our insurance company says, if you do any of that, they will punish you.
#21
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Call me dumb but I’m not positive if mine is hardwired or not. I think it is. Mine is also a Charge Point wall charger (I think a NEMA 5-50). It has its own circuit breaker. The wiring goes directly from the circuit breaker to the wall outlet that the electrician installed. The wiring is plastic wrapped and about 1.5” diameter. A thick electrical cord goes from the wall charger to the outlet when I’m charging the car. Here is a photo.
Last edited by AppleFan1; 05-27-2024 at 05:54 PM.
#22
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Call me dumb but I’m not positive if mine is hardwired or not. I think it is. Mine is also a Charge Point wall charger (I think a NEMA 5-50). It has its own circuit breaker. The wiring goes directly from the circuit breaker to the wall outlet that the electrician installed. The wiring is plastic wrapped and about 1.5” diameter. A thick electrical cord goes from the wall charger to the outlet when I’m charging the car. Here is a photo.
#23
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Thread Starter
Call me dumb but I’m not positive if mine is hardwired or not. I think it is. Mine is also a Charge Point wall charger (I think a NEMA 5-50). It has its own circuit breaker. The wiring goes directly from the circuit breaker to the wall outlet that the electrician installed. The wiring is plastic wrapped and about 1.5” diameter. A thick electrical cord goes from the wall charger to the outlet when I’m charging the car. Here is a photo.
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AppleFan1 (05-27-2024)
#24
Make sure that when the electrical wires are secured/screwed to the plug…make sure the electrician torques the screws to the appropriate force. I read a while back…if those wires are not tightened to the correct torque, arcing can occur and start a fire. The article I read (sorry don’t remember where I read it) suggested this happens more than you think…especially with plugs installed for dryers.
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It was installed, including the 240V line, a wall drop from the attic, and all, a little over two years ago, when I bought my EQS. It was installed by a local outfit that does AC/Plumbing/Electrical by a licensed electrician. Clearly, it appears to me that corners were cut. There was no housing behind the plug face, just wires attached and pressed against the insulation in the garage wall. The plug is melted and totally fried, it is clearly the culprit, and was the thing that was on fire, until I cut the circuit and used the fire extinguisher. It will, of course, now be completely redone all the way from the circuit breaker box on the back of the house by a licensed commercial building contractor, who is a friend of mine. They will hardwire the new box....not sure which one I will get yet, but probably a Mercedes Wallbox.
Edit: j\Just read post #23.
Last edited by MBNUT1; 05-27-2024 at 08:11 PM.