garage 32A single phase socket

[irn_bru_ce]

Was speaking to a sparky today about fitting a 32A socket into my garage, primary use will be for welding gear, also give me the option of getting an electric car charging unit. Imagine that will also be a good selling point in about 5 years time when its time to move out.

He hasn't actually installed any charging points for electric cars yet, but thinks that they need independant earths. So an earthing spike will need to be buried in the garden somewhere, instead of being tied back into the common earth of the rest of the house.

I didnt realise this but wondered if this will still be suitable for welding gear, has anybody else came across this issue?

Will this cause an issue with the RCDs if I have power tools connected to the normal 13A sockets that get in contact with the metalic case of a welder connected to the 32A socket?

 

[brightspark]

not a problem at all. the charging points will be fed through an rcd with earth rod

 

[Spark plug]

The rules for charging point stipulate, if you can’t guarantee that the neutral and earth between the charging point and the supply transformer remain separate then you must install an earth rod, so in the majority of cases an earth rod must be installed.

I had to look into this when I installed chargers at work, as the company own the supply transformers, then it could be guaranteed that there was no possibility of PEN conductors so no earth rod required.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I tried running a welder from a car charging point and it tripped out. Sparky said the breaker was an 'A' type (i think) and although I was not trying to pull much current the breaker was picking up a dc voltage or something from the welder.

You can get adaptors to connect most electric cars to a 'regular' 32a socket so (unless you actually have an electric car yourself) I would just fit a regular 32a outlet rather than an ev charging point

 

[irn_bru_ce]

Found some details on an EV forum about charging points, so looks like I will go for a normal breaker for now but fit an earth rod, most of my welding or cutting will be done on the driveway anyway

 

[knighty]

can the earth rod not be fitted into the floor right under the socket? - drill down through garage floor, knock it in, job done?

bit tidier/easier?

 

[mtt.tr]

Must also be the appropriate rcd type as type ac will not function if dc leaks in it

Earth rods are typical unless according to the regs you use a device which doesn't exist.

Though next ammendment is set to change this, they realised that tncs is supplied underground with a good chance of putting rod through the service cable

 

[Spark plug]

can the earth rod not be fitted into the floor right under the socket? - drill down through garage floor, knock it in, job done?

bit tidier/easier?

No, to have any chance of the rod working it needs to be in moist soil.

If you put the rod inside the building, then you can end up with the soil drying out and the rod just sitting in a loose dry hole, which is no good for man nor earth rod.

 

[brightspark]

earth rod just ouside the building in an earth pit. then test with an earth loop impedance tester it should be under 200 ohms or well blow depending on the soil. if over extend the depth of rod till reading good. if still crap sink another rod a meter away and loop them 2 gether if its sand not soil or clay your stuffed

 

[indy4x]

The rules for charging point stipulate, if you can’t guarantee that the neutral and earth between the charging point and the supply transformer remain separate then you must install an earth rod, so in the majority of cases an earth rod must be installed.

Thats good to know, got an EV coming in April

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