EV Charger Plug fire - be careful! (Input requested. Link to pics below).

Dodged a full house fire last night. Outlet completely melted. Fire burned casing and wall, but went out on its own.

Equipment:

  • Siemens versicharge 240/30A plugged into a NEMA 6-50 in a drive under garage.
  • Dedicated line with 40A fuse
  • Professionally installed during home construction.

Events:

  • Charged friends MS 100D for 8 hrs during the day
  • Charger rested for 1.5 hrs
  • Plugged in a MS 75 to top off for the evening
  • MS charged for a few hours then breaker tripped

Next morning I go out to find this near catastrophe.

Very scary. Melted box, all wood is charred.

Curious if I need to replace the entire wire (which is run through about 50 feet of walls in my house).

I read that EV chargers should be hardwired to avoid fault points like a plug.

Also read that most NEMA plugs aren’t intended to handle current for long periods of time (designed for a few hours running a dryer).

Electricians coming tomorrow.

Welcome any comments about how to protect myself in the repair/ reinstallation.

I’m likely going to hardwire the charger (no plug) and look into adding a temperature sensor or something - and definitely a fire sensor.

Link to pictures of failed plug: https://imgur.com/gallery/2joUiOp

  • numbersarouseme@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I love how we can make it decades using 240v plugs just fine for ovens/dryers for hours on end but suddenly everyone is freaking out about EVs using them.

    If it’s installed improperly it’s not because you used a plug.

    If the plug gets loose and the connector is falling out, it’s not because you used a plug. It’s because they kept using a failed product.

    If it is getting hot, you used wires that were too small, user error.

    It’s not because you’re using a plug, it’s because it’s either improperly setup or people keep using it after it’s failed.

    Plugs are great. Don’t blame plugs when it’s the idiots fault.

    TIPS: if your EV plug gets hot, something is wrong. I can pull 10kwh through mine and feel no temperature change through it. At most slight warmth is allowed. If anything the plug at the vehicle should be warmer.

      • numbersarouseme@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        I’m sorry for you. Ovens usually require 50+amp plugs, most sold are rated for 40 and below.

        Was it the proper plug? Or did the contractor cheap out(most likely).