EV charging point - no for protection

At a customers house today, he asked me to add an outside socket. There's a spare way in an IP65 consumer unit outside next to the intake. On inspection, it's supplied off  a Henley block, it's not a sub board, but there's no RCD protection, just a surge protection device. There's a standard bs7671 label about testing the rcd, that's all..

I''m not registered to fit EV points so the customer can't claim any grants like he could of this person: but surely unless I'm missing something,they can't be a spark if they think the SPD is going to provide supplementary electric shock protection. They are a proper registered EV installation  firm, are they right and I'm wrong? Do I report it? To who? What if he fits them all like this? 

Parents
  • This raises a lot of questions

    There's a spare way in an IP65 consumer unit outside next to the intake

    The CU maybe IP65 but are the modules inside rated to be outside.  Consider the tripping time and current at minus 3 degrees celcius this morning and now do the same at plus 30 degrees celcius on a 30mA.  Verso explain this very well on a YouTube video.  Basically RCD can deviate by 20 to 40% at either of the tripping curve.  Think 40% on C32

    What make and model is the EVSE?

    Whats the earthing arrangement?

    Is there an install cert for the EVSE, minor works or periodic inspection?

    Did they consider PEN fault protection at the design stage?

Reply
  • This raises a lot of questions

    There's a spare way in an IP65 consumer unit outside next to the intake

    The CU maybe IP65 but are the modules inside rated to be outside.  Consider the tripping time and current at minus 3 degrees celcius this morning and now do the same at plus 30 degrees celcius on a 30mA.  Verso explain this very well on a YouTube video.  Basically RCD can deviate by 20 to 40% at either of the tripping curve.  Think 40% on C32

    What make and model is the EVSE?

    Whats the earthing arrangement?

    Is there an install cert for the EVSE, minor works or periodic inspection?

    Did they consider PEN fault protection at the design stage?

Children
  • No disrespect Sergio, but I turned up to fit a outside socket, not inspect an EV charger, I know nothing about its make, model or the circuit design. I didn't think there are different  BS  numbers or standards for breakers in unheated spaces or outside though, what more can you do?. I know that temperature affects operating times but the current drawn, the length of time it's been drawing power and the adjoining equipment will also effect the temperature by possibly  large, and probably, incalculable amounts. 

    It would seem that as the supplying circuit is surface mounted there is no requirement for an RCD for the circuit; personally I'd always fit an Rcd/RCBO to any any outdoor circuit; what if some Muppet ( or thief) drives off with the thing plugged in, an RCD on the EV units no use if it's lying on the floor and the supply circuit cables are exposed. Think about mechanical damage, someone driving into the charger for instance. But it seems it's not required so internal RCD protection on  the charger itself is enough. 

    Thanks for your responses guys, it's interesting.

  • Shouldn't any socket outlet installed outdoors be on an RCD, however the cables to it are run?

  • Yes, but the circuit does not necessarily need an RCD, just the socket outlet or in this case, the EV point. There's been that many changes that I thought the circuit had to be protected virtue of it being outside, but as it's surfaces mounted, its not required, just at the point so an RCD socket outket would be ok an ordinary one not. Like I said, I'd never install an outside circuit without an

    RCD at it's source, bit it's NOT required by BS7671, or part "P".