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2022 Bolt EUV Nov build
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Discussion Starter · #1 ·

Looks like a new model that can go up to 50A. I guess that means you need a 65A or higher circuit?
 

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2022 Bolt EUV Nov build
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Hm... so then one should install a 70A breaker and have a 6-50 receptacle? I was about to get an electrician to install a 50A with a 14-50 receptacle.
 

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Hm... so then one should install a 70A breaker and have a 6-50 receptacle? I was about to get an electrician to install a 50A with a 14-50 receptacle.
To use greater than 40 amps, you need to remove the plug and hardwire as indicate:

Easy for any electrician to install indoors or out. Plug-in installation with NEMA 6-50 or 14-50 outlet requires circuits rated 40A or 50A. For other circuit ratings, the plug is easily removed for hardwired installation. Select the amperage that works best for you and your home, helping to avoid electrical upgrades.
 

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I'd put in 100 or a 125 amp subpanel, a small one in the garage and then feed your charging infrastructure from that. If you're paying for a person to run the wire, run big wire. If you're doing it yourself like I did it, it's a no brainer. I admit, it costs more for the big wire.
 

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Looks like a new model that can go up to 50A. I guess that means you need a 65A or higher circuit?
I wouldn't put a charger in that does not support load sharing/management. A 60AMP breaker would be all that is required for a 50A EVSE, that satisfies the 20% rule.
 

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@p7wang
P7, the JuiceBox has a 75amp model that is on sale, $75 coupon, and it load balances. I like the look of the ChargePoint, the Cylon light is really cool but if my information is correct that it doesn't load balance then I just can't go that route, would have to Juice it.
 

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Yup. IIRC, 70A is the next most common step up from 50A.
My Home Depot sells a 60Amp breaker, stocks it. That's the breaker I just bought for my air conditioner. Cutler Hammer sells breakers in 5 amp increments. Not everyone stocks them on the shelf as such, but you can order it. I ordered a 125AMP Cutler Hammer breaker via Amazon. LOL.
 

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Almost, but not quite. 80% of 60A is only 48A. Technically the smallest breaker to satisfy the 20% derating rule is 62.5A. Good luck finding one of those!
Yes, sorry, I was thinking old school. On a side note, they don't use the derating rules anymore for these kind of implementations. The derating is more for multi conductors, not that this isn't a factor but in the case of EVSE wiring or sub-panels in a garage you would follow the specific rule for continuous loads with calls for 125% increase. Derating will kick in if you have additional wires in the same run/cable. In the NFPA 2011 version, you had to provide for 125% AND corrections like derating. But in 2014, they completely removed that. It was in the wording. NFPA 210.19(1)(1). So if you need 50 amps, taking that up 125% you are indeed correct that you would need 62.5 amps. I stand corrected, thank you. I for one wouldn't be too worried about a slightly smaller over current device/breaker in but if buying one, the 70amp breaker appears to be the same price as the 60amp. For those running wire into a garage, get a price for running 100 amps. With all the new fancy charging technologies coming out, you might find your charging infrastructure hobbled. I put in 125 amps. The only cost difference was the copper cable, all the other pieces were the same.....albeit slightly larger conduit. Did you see that @Vertiformed , I got to use the word hobbled!!!!!
27358
 

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Sorry, but what is load balancing, and why would I want it?
Load balancing and load management is the ability for two or more chargers to communicate to each other to prioritize charging and to limit the charging load/current to meet the limitations that the building wiring might have. Here's an example;
You run a 50 amp circuit to your garage. One circuit, 50 amps total. You have one EVSE and your Bolt uses 32 amps to charge.
The wife comes home, she says she wants a Bolt and you roll like a log and buy her one.
You buy a second EVSE, and you wire it to the same 50 amp circuit you installed by simply adding the charger directly or by adding a second NEMA outlet. Two outlets, both capable of 50 amps but you have a total of 50 amps total to play with. This, is not a code violation btw, in case someone was about to chime in with that rubberish.
If you have two EVSE's that load manage, you could tell them to split the power between them, or you could tell it to charge car #1 ASAP with 32 amps and give 8 amps to car #2 until car #1 is charged at which point give everything to car #2. You could split it 50/50. Both get 20 amps for a total of 40 amps (taking into account NFPA capacity limits), and when one finishes charging before the other, the remaining car gets all it can take.
That is load sharing/management. I installed 125 amps into my garage (wanted a Tesla) so I don't 'need' load balancing, but I still would like it if I could pull it off. Some EVSE's do it, most don't. Some do it on their commercial line, but not the residential line (ChargePoint).
 
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