Charge Station Pro installation

[Pioneer74]

To those that have installed their Charge Station Pro, I have a couple of questions.

I don't have mine yet but will have time this weekend do so most of the prep work. The installation instructions and pictures in the manual are a bit vague. My questions are:

1. How high up are you mounting the box? Is the box on the bottom end of the mounting plate? Most people install EVSE's between 40" to 48" off the floor, so where would that put the box?

2. What size box is required? 4 square or 4 11/16? I can't tell from the picture if the box protrudes through the backplate. If the box just has to sit flush with the wall in guessing it doesn't matter.

Thanks.

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[FlasherZ]

The instructions suggest a double-gang wall-switch box, but I used a 4" square box and it fits.

Bottom of my 4-square is ~53" off the floor, which has the FCSP bottom at ~45 1/2" and top of backplate at ~68" (all approximate, not to be used for installation as I measured with a yard stick).

The box does not protrude through the backplate in my case, the backplate rests on the top of the box. I surface-mounted a shallow 4-square and then surface-mounted a 2x4 as a standoff/backer into which the backplate is lagged.

Obviously, if you have open studs or want to open the wall, you'll set a 2-gang as necessary and then you can bolt straight into the studs. I didn't have that luxury as the space between my garage bay doors didn't line studs up right.

 

[Fast911]

To those that have installed their Charge Station Pro, I have a couple of questions.

I don't have mine yet but will have time this weekend do so most of the prep work. The installation instructions and pictures in the manual are a bit vague. My questions are:

1. How high up are you mounting the box? Is the box on the bottom end of the mounting plate? Most people install EVSE's between 40" to 48" off the floor, so where would that put the box?

2. What size box is required? 4 square or 4 11/16? I can't tell from the picture if the box protrudes through the backplate. If the box just has to sit flush with the wall in guessing it doesn't matter.

Thanks.

I believed that I went 48” from the ground to middle of electrical box. just line it up to existing outlets or wall switches on the same wall. That way it looks more uniform. The electrical box mounting plate flush with wall.

 

[Pioneer74]

I believed that I went 48” from the ground to middle of electrical box. just line it up to existing outlets or wall switches on the same wall. That way it looks more uniform. The electrical box mounting plate flush with wall.

How many amps did you wire it for? Is that 6 gauge?

 

[Pioneer74]

The instructions suggest a double-gang wall-switch box, but I used a 4" square box and it fits.

Bottom of my 4-square is ~53" off the floor, which has the FCSP bottom at ~45 1/2" and top of backplate at ~68" (all approximate, not to be used for installation as I measured with a yard stick).

The box does not protrude through the backplate in my case, the backplate rests on the top of the box. I surface-mounted a shallow 4-square and then surface-mounted a 2x4 as a standoff/backer into which the backplate is lagged.

Obviously, if you have open studs or want to open the wall, you'll set a 2-gang as necessary and then you can bolt straight into the studs. I didn't have that luxury as the space between my garage bay doors didn't line studs up right.

I'm going to mount it on a wall that has access to my basement. Probably use a 4 11/16 box with conduit on my basement wall and liquitite going in the wall in my garage. 60 amp circuit with #6 wire. I figure that way when I move, I can replace the charge station with a 14-15 outlet and put it on a 50 amp breaker.

 

[Fast911]

How many amps did you wire it for? Is that 6 gauge?

#2 romex to 125 sub panel with 100 amp breaker

 

[FlasherZ]

#2 romex to 125 sub panel with 100 amp breaker

#2 Romex doesn't meet code, because you must use the 60 degC column, which is only good for 95 amps. If set to 80A you need 100A of ampacity on the conductors. #2 in conduit is good but not #2 Romex.

 

[Firestop]

Below is my installation if your looking for ideas. My electrician and I decided to surface-mount it on channel steel to the wall to give it every bit of air circulation we could and it made it easier to locate it in the center of that exterior wall segment given the stud placement.

We were going to use surface mounted conduit, but my electrician that running flex conduit up inside the wall from my house panel, acr the attic an down inside the wall to the FCSP made for a cleaner looking install….I agree!

 

[Fast911]

#2 Romex doesn't meet code, because you must use the 60 degC column, which is only good for 95 amps. If set to 80A you need 100A of ampacity on the conductors. #2 in conduit is good but not #2 Romex.

from Home Depot…

Product Overview
The Southwire Company Romex SIMpull 500 ft. 2/3 Type NM-B Cable is designed to be used in dry locations inside of your home that have a maximum temperature of 90˚C or 194˚F. Type NM-B Cable (non-metallic sheathed cable) can be used in residential wiring as branch circuits for outlets, switches or other loads. This NM-B cable is 1-UL Listed.

• For exposed and concealed applications
• May be run in air voids of masonry block or tile walls that are not subjected to excessive moisture or dampness
• For indoor use
• For dry locations up to 90˚C or 194˚F as specified in the NEC 1
• 600-Volt maximum
• 500 ft. of cable
• Nylon jackets help significantly reduce pulling force resulting in easier installation
• Copper conductors
• 1-UL listed
• Click here to shop for more Southwire products
• Note: product may vary by store
• Click to learn the factors you must consider when wiring your home

 

[FlasherZ]

from Home Depot…

Product Overview
The Southwire Company Romex SIMpull 500 ft. 2/3 Type NM-B Cable is designed to be used in dry locations inside of your home that have a maximum temperature of 90˚C or 194˚F. Type NM-B Cable (non-metallic sheathed cable) can be used in residential wiring as branch circuits for outlets, switches or other loads. This NM-B cable is 1-UL Listed.

• For exposed and concealed applications
• May be run in air voids of masonry block or tile walls that are not subjected to excessive moisture or dampness
• For indoor use
• For dry locations up to 90˚C or 194˚F as specified in the NEC 1
• 600-Volt maximum
• 500 ft. of cable
• Nylon jackets help significantly reduce pulling force resulting in easier installation
• Copper conductors
• 1-UL listed
• Click here to shop for more Southwire products
• Note: product may vary by store
• Click to learn the factors you must consider when wiring your home

Even though they say that, the key word is "up to". NEC says you can't use it at the 90 degC column. First, nearly every termination for residential use is 75 degC which limits you to start with, but Romex must use the 60 degC column, regardless of what a manufacturer or the markings on the internal wires say. See 334.80:

334.80 Ampacity. The ampacity of Types NM, NMC, and NMS cable shall be determined in accordance with 310.15. The allowable ampacity shall not exceed that of a 60°C (140°F) rated conductor. The 90°C (194°F) rating shall be permitted to be used for ampacity adjustment and correction calculations, provided the final derated ampacity does not exceed that of a 60°C (140°F) rated conductor.

This means the maximum ampacity of 2/3 is 95A.

I'll point out another discrepancy with this advertisement. While the product information says "for exposed applications", you may not use Romex exposed in garages if it is subject to damage. Most inspectors have interpreted that as below 7 ft. This is why in most garages that use Romex, you'll see them sleeved up to 7 feet, then exposed.

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