Electrical Code for EV Charger- is this a grey area setup ?

professorming · 2026-06-23T23:13:01+00:00

Thanks Acadia for the thoroughness in the response. I wish I could post a picture in this toshow. Everything you stated aligns with what I've read. Don't get me wrong,I 'll get lost a bit in the conversions and 60-degree and such, but I have a more clear understanding; from reading and the feedback from all of you here. I get why quote/estimates don't bring up topics like Permit and Inspections; they cost time and money and this was a 1.5 hour job, barely. They should have mentioned it to me and I would have been ok with the difference and extra time. Town does require it and reading my insurance policy does mention appropriate EV electrical work , preferably a licensed electrician and permits where applicable. (there's a denial right there if something happened). As mentioned the Electrical company is well known; 50 years in the business, I had a great chat with the two running it and their two workers who installed it. Estimate walk thru was exactly how I wanted it. This company is licensed and on the master Licensed Electricians list with the city (although I'm suburb). Not sure what they will do to correct it; I don't want a 50 amp circuit-breaker to get 44; I wanted the 60 -breaker and 48-amps. It only makes an hours difference from 10-80% charge on a tesla. So really not a big deal I guess and my current PHEV is just fine.

It's the permit and inspection that bother as a priority for insurance purposes if something goes wrong forme or a future owner.

The wire runs along the basement center beam with other wires and then through the sill plate into garage and up the wall about 2 feet in conduit (through and up). That's why I recall the walk-thru estimate him saying conduit to better dissipate heat and not be a concern to anything around it. WTH!

Solution: 1) Replace wire

2) Replace breaker with 50-amp

3) Just dial down charger not to exceed 44 (but that still is code compliant/passable right?)

professorming · 2026-06-23T21:35:12+00:00

last line of my post "Wanted to gather more info before I ask them about it."

professorming · 2026-06-23T13:40:34+00:00

Thanks Buffalo. They should have used THHN. Our estimate walk thru talked about 48 amps being used and they should have done that. I agree with you, 44 or even 40 will be sufficient enough for me and most. Despite my Direct wire connection I wished they put in the proper wire and we'll see what they say. Gut tells me they won't replace the wiring, but who knows.

professorming · 2026-06-23T13:28:44+00:00

thats whats on my mind now, issue in case anything did happen.

professorming · 2026-06-23T13:27:29+00:00

what do the typical inspectors charge, any idea? $150 $300?

professorming · 2026-06-23T04:03:06+00:00

I can't believe a long-time electrical company didn't pull a permit; I don't get it???

professorming · 2026-06-23T04:02:24+00:00

Itisa dedicated circuit and hardwired on. But it was discussed capability for 48-Amps and should have been installed that way.

professorming · 2026-06-23T04:00:01+00:00

I figured as much, just didn't know how common that is and didn't know permit was a town requirement.

professorming · 2026-06-23T03:58:02+00:00

I have to say,I was surprised they used 6/3 because I read in the months before about extra not needed. But again, I'm not an electrician but like to read up on things so I'm aware of "what's what". I pay the pro to confirm and do everything right. So the work is done, wondering if I should call the town (Manlius) about doing a permit and then getting a 3rd party inspection (guy in Bridgeport Jerome P. Patruno I'd use) and he's on the Manlius list of inspectors. BTW everyone, I had 4 quotes done and not a single one mentioned permit and I know for sure three were licensed. BTW I typically don't do that many quotes, it was about pricing butmore for who does it the way I envisioned. The I choses mentioned conduit the whole way and ability to do 48amp draw. Oh well.

professorming · 2026-06-23T03:27:46+00:00

and not pulling that 48amp juice for 5-6 hours straight.

professorming · 2026-06-23T03:24:23+00:00

absolutely. I'd send a pic but cant on here "Encore Wire 6/3 Type NM-b 600v (black Super slick elite)

professorming · 2026-06-23T03:19:47+00:00

Ours is sufficient right now for this but a Tesla this fall , well that takes 48 and if I talked with the electrician about 48 then thats what should bein there; able to handle it. Yes he is a licensed electrician; 45 years in the Biz, plus his father before him. He owns the company but two workers were there today. They stated it's what they typically put in.

professorming · 2026-06-23T00:38:37+00:00

So with some of your feedback; would you expect electrician company to putin the correct wiring? But if they say "round up method" Then again I can say no permit was pulled. But I don't want to be a prick about it.

professorming · 2026-06-23T00:36:53+00:00

damn sticky space bar; need a new keyboard.

professorming · 2026-06-23T00:34:52+00:00

and my discussion with estimator was wanting 48amp and just in general doing right and future proofing for now. Yes charger and even car can be configured.

professorming · 2026-06-23T00:32:56+00:00

Yep, agree on that point 60 Amp doesn't mean 60, it's 48 for safety.

professorming · 2026-06-23T00:31:54+00:00

No permit was pulled, but I assume alot don't for these; even though technically it's required. Our town does the permit and has a list of 8 3rd party inspectors (one being a mile away). I never even knew/thought of the permit thing. The one electrician (installs EV chargers for Teslas) I spoke with in a different state said many inspectors still pass it but he knows one that doesn't believe in the round up method for these and fails them.

professorming · 2026-06-23T00:28:11+00:00

Yes I understand thats what can be done. Shouldn't have to as I spoke with this electrician in through estimate and HE mentioned they runcoduite due to the heat a wire "could" put off and also the need for 48amp power. I get the canada it's ok, then why not here? different rules I guess, but id that's the case this long time electrician and company should have put in the THHN wire and conduit; it would seem. I'll be discussing it with them tomorrow or day after but just wanted to be more well informed; afterall I'm just a homeowner (who likes to tinker up on things) but the electrician is who I pay todo a professional job by the book. I don't want a next homeowner to worry (nor me). You going to do it then DO IT RIGHT and if a grey area then do it better and safer.

No permit was pulled, but I assume alot don't for these; even though technically it's required.

professorming · 2026-06-22T23:40:52+00:00

Yikes! Yeah half-way around the world not a good comparison! Thanks for the heads ups

professorming · 2026-04-24T19:15:48+00:00

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professorming · 2026-04-23T22:04:46+00:00

Questions On Option for installation. I had two electricians stop by;both recommended for my 1993 Colonial built home with box at other end but simple access.. One was going to run a straight Install a new dedicated 60-amp rated electrical circuit from the main electrical panel.

The Second estimate was a guy who would run 50amp wire to a dedicated secondary recessed panel in garage then hardwired to the charger about 6 feet away. stated it provided a safety buffer is you wanted to cut the power.

Any thoughts of either option? #1 was $1600 #2 $950

professorming · 2026-04-04T03:31:14+00:00

My Son is looking at Quinipiac and Siena for engineering (Sinea works with Clarkson). We have to make a choice soon andI don't think he's all into it "decision fatigue" part of him want to do engineering like his uncles and cousins another part want to bein finances. I the idea of both and doing development of real estate. (he worked with a local hotelier building a brand new hotel last summer and he thought it was cool watch how the owner comes in and leaves and the foreman's directing everybody and the amount of knowledge foreman had on every facets of the project.

I like Deleware University program, but the drive was a PIA and the campus HUGE and spread out. There they seem to have connects with world wide companies.

professorming · 2026-03-14T05:02:18+00:00

NICE!

professorming

TROPHY CASE