32amp Commando, cable size?

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Looking at getting a 32a commando fitted for charging an EV.

I'm going to do the easy stuff myself; drill holes, run cable, mount commando etc, and let the spark do the connections etc.

First question is what size SWA will I need?

It's coming off a CU in a building with its own feed. Will be on its own 32a RCDO and the cable will come out of the wall and run down the inside of a fence for 20m.

I'm thinking 6mm to give a bit of wiggle room...

Does that sound sensible?
 
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That's for the input.

I believe this site is about DIY though?

I asked a simple question, no 'electrics' involved, and anything that needs a spark will have a spark.

What's the point in even replying if you're not helping?

The question was about a cable size... Simple. I gave the measurements too!

As for along a fence... It won't be along a fence, it's going on the inside of a double layer fence, and it's armoured, what's the problem?
 
You are planning to add a new circuit. This is notifiable work, plus supplies for EV chargers are a bit specialised due to earthing arrangements.
Your first port of call is is find an electrician who is allowed to self-certificate their work AND has the necessary knowledge to install vehicle charger points.
They will then come and have a look and design your scheme- at that stage you can discuss with them what elements of the work you can do AND HOW TO DO THEM.
Most electricians will be happy for someone else to do the donkeywork if it's been discussed up front. Since the electrician will be assuming responsibility for the install by certifying it, most will not be interested in ' can you connect the ends of this bit of SWA I've chucked in please' without some prior discussion.
 
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I know all this.... The question was really simple.

Is a 6mm SWA cable suitable for a run of 20m to a 32amp Commando....

Let's treat it as a theoretical question...
 
Both 4 mm² and 6 mm² would do, I find the two are often around same price, so may as well use 6 mm² there are two types of insulation thermal setting and thermal plastic, so need to look at the charts, I tend to use Batt cables website.

Using a commando socket inside a garage to charge an EV is not really a problem, but using it for a car out doors can be a problem depending on the earthing arrangements, with TT or TN-S not too much a problem, but most supplies are TN-C-S and that presents problems.

We are looking at protection for loss of PEN and 6 mA DC detection which changes is type A or B RCD's are required, earth mats etc. The charging lead seen here 1678016804666.pnghas a box in the lead which can have variable functions, it can have 6 mA detection built in, but it may also not have it, the same with RCD function, and disconnection with loss of PEN, this can make huge changes into what is needed on the supply to the 32 amp socket.

I would also lean towards the commando socket, as can also be used for welding sets etc. But a proper EV charging point often monitors whole supply and varies charge rate to suit other items used on the property, and I think but not sure on this has to allow the DNO to be able to switch off the charging points when there is high demand.

The installer must ensure it is safe, and when you can change the lead used, the only way is to install all the safety devices in supply to socket, I have not as yet looked into this, but likely needs a auto disconnection device, be it a moulded breaker with a release solinod or a contactor, in other words there's a lot more involved than simply fitting cable and a socket.

I have not seen any single width RCBO's type B, where the type B refers to the RCD not the MCB part of the device, I got caught out, all mine said type B on the packet, but in fact were type AC.

I am not comfortable with switching the earth which is required with some loss of PEN detection devices I have included the link to the IET wiring matters on loss of PEN.

You need to understand the risks before you can design the system, and having vehicle charged outside or inside makes a huge difference, and even outside, in my own house I can park a vehicle at rear and front of house, at the rear I could switch off the supply before touching the vehicle and not visitors should go near it, but at front any visitors to home need to pass the car, so it needs all the protection for safety of visitors, postman, milkman etc. In regulations terms makes no difference, even the visiting fox is protected, but some one needs the sign the installation certificate and they need the insurance so should it all go wrong, you don't need to sell the house to pay the compensation and fines.

It is all well and good getting an electrician to test and inspect, but he is doing it without knowing what it is being used for, and even if he does, he will not admit it. And unless his insurance covers, likely neither will house insurance.

I don't know all the answers, my EV is charged from a 13 amp socket inside the home, it is only a bike, and it uses a class II supply, so is not the same as a car charger. You need to do the research and find out what needs doing, you have at least asked on here, so you will get some answers, unfortunately some will just say get some one who has taken the EV point training, and will not explain why. But even as an electrical engineer I have not done that course so would not install an EV point without first doing the training.
 
4mm² over 20m at 32A wastes 225W as heat.
6mm² wastes 150W
10mm² would only waste 90W.

subject to all the other points raised above apply.
 
I know all this.... The question was really simple.

Is a 6mm SWA cable suitable for a run of 20m to a 32amp Commando....

Let's treat it as a theoretical question...
The volt drop will be around 4.5 volt, and the loop impedance with incoming of 0.35Ω with be around 0.49Ω so that is the theoretical bit. So well within the limits. But as to the regulations that is another story, and it would be wrong not to point out the problems.

If it is a domestic supply, then Part P raises it's head, although Liverpool LABC are very helpful I found, and you pay the fee and get the completion certificate reasonable easy. Two rivers away, other side of the Dee into Wales, very different.

But they may want to see your qualifications, and test equipment, and if you can't self test they may charge extra for an inspector they select not you, to inspect and test, and you will not get the test results, just the completion certificate.
 
Looking at getting a 32a commando fitted for charging an EV.

I'm going to do the easy stuff myself; drill holes, run cable, mount commando etc, and let the spark do the connections etc.

First question is what size SWA will I need? ...
Ask the "spark" ( electrician ? ) what size cable is needed ? Also ask his advice on routing the cable along a fence.
I know all this.... The question was really simple.

Is a 6mm SWA cable suitable for a run of 20m to a 32amp Commando....

Let's treat it as a theoretical question...
Under the circumstances, I believe Bernards advice is the only advice to be given.
EV charging points are a special case and it will require certifying. There is no point whatever in one of us saying a particular cable and a route are suitable and then the
theoretical
electrician comes along to sign the piece of paper and then says it's the wrong cable in the wrong place.

Please don't criticise and insult the professionals when they give the perfect answer to your
theoretical question...
You have stated there will be an electrician doing the job, May I ask why you haven't asked your electrician yet?

Assuming this is not a lie the only person you should be asking for advice is your electrician who should be there before you do anything and plan/discuss with you what is required and what he/she is happy for you to do.
I believe this site is about DIY ...
You are correct this is a DIY site and for DIY jobs I will happily offer technical advice when I feel the person is competent, but the job you are proposing to do is not a DIY job for this reason I will not offer technical advice and strongly believe none of us should.
I know all this.... The question was really simple.
No you don't and that is why you are asking... and it is certainly not a question for a simple answer other than that given by Bernard.

If you find my message offensive, don't bother replying to it, that would only reinforce my opinion.
 
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Under the circumstances, I believe Bernards advice is the only advice to be given.
EV charging points are a special case and it will require certifying. There is no point whatever in one of us saying a particular cable and a route are suitable and then the

electrician comes along to sign the piece of paper and then says it's the wrong cable in the wrong place.

Please don't criticise and insult the professionals when they give the perfect answer to your

You have stated there will be an electrician doing the job, May I ask why you haven't asked your electrician yet?

Assuming this is not a lie the only person you should be asking for advice is your electrician who should be there before you do anything and plan/discuss with you what is required and what he/she is happy for you to do.

You are correct this is a DIY site and for DIY jobs I will happily offer technical advice when I feel the person is competent, but the job you are proposing to do is not a DIY job for this reason I will not offer technical advice and strongly believe none of us should.

No you don't and that is why you are asking... and it is certainly not a question for a simple answer other than that given by Bernard.

If you find my message offensive, don't bother replying to it, that would only reinforce my opinion.
Thanks for such an in depth answer, wasn't expecting that

Question: if I hadn't mentioned EV would it have been different?
 
If you really want to DIY then give the information required.
1) Supply type.
2) location
The list goes on, but they are the two main ones, indoors or outdoors, and supply type is required.
 
If I had simply said an outdoor socket or a commando socket, would this thread have been different?

I can plug a car into a normal three pin socket with no extra conditions, so what's the difference in this?
 

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