5 ms·

This surprises me, given that almost every country has safer electric plugs than the US. Heat is a function of current and car chargers limit themselves to less

This surprises me, given that almost every country has safer electric plugs than the US. Heat is a function of current and car chargers limit themselves to less than the current the plug is rated for. "Less than" equals 80% in the US.

masklinn 1y ago
It might be that the average euro is less aware of continuous draw limitations since there’s so much more power normally (compared to US residential power). Could also be that for historical reasons you could have a house wired for 10 or 13 A and not be aware if it. ‘Course you can manage that by having the chargers limit themselves to 8A default (or even always), at 1800W that’s a very slow trickle but it’s something, and even if it does not fully cover your commute it spaces out carger stops or helps condition the battery on cold mornings.
- avidiax 1y ago
  Standard circuits are either 8A or 10A. That's a little more power than a US 15A, or the same as a US 20A. There is often 3 phase power to the home in Europe, however. That allows 415V phase to phase and also 3-phase synchronous motors.
  - masklinn 1y ago
    > Standard circuits are either 8A or 10A. Both type E and F plugs are rated for 16, and afaik that’s generally the rating in countries which use them. I’m sure there are others but Switzerland is the only country I know of in Europe were plugs are limited to 10 and you have to hard-wire 16.
    - avidiax 1y ago
      My mistake extrapolating from the Swiss :)
    - merb 1y ago
      Most camping places in France/spain that do have cee or type e/f might limit to 6a/10a. Fyi. It’s mostly to limit power draw since you pay a flat fee.
Rebelgecko 1y ago
Dunno if it's the case here, but the charger doesn't know if it's plugged into an extension cord that isn't rated for 3kW or whatever EU plugs put out
- magicalhippo 1y ago
  Concern over people using extension cords or splitters is a frequently cited reason, like in this news article[1]. [1]: https://www.ba.no/lader-du-elbilen-din-i-stikkontakt-det-bor-du-kun-gjore-i-nodstilfelle/s/5-8-2898380 https://www.ba.no/lader-du-elbilen-din-i-stikkontakt-det-bor...
- aidenn0 1y ago
  IMO it should be illegal to sell an unfused extension-cord. That would solve like 95% of the issues that get blamed on extension cords.
  - shawabawa3 1y ago
    This is the case in the UK, another win for our bulky plug socket
    - aidenn0 1y ago
      You can fit a fuse in the body of a NEMA 1-15 connector; outdoor Christmas lights, for example do this.

masklinn 1y ago

It might be that the average euro is less aware of continuous draw limitations since there’s so much more power normally (compared to US residential power). Could also be that for historical reasons you could have a house wired for 10 or 13 A and not be aware if it. ‘Course you can manage that by having the chargers limit themselves to 8A default (or even always), at 1800W that’s a very slow trickle but it’s something, and even if it does not fully cover your commute it spaces out carger stops or helps condition the battery on cold mornings.

avidiax 1y ago
Standard circuits are either 8A or 10A. That's a little more power than a US 15A, or the same as a US 20A. There is often 3 phase power to the home in Europe, however. That allows 415V phase to phase and also 3-phase synchronous motors.
- masklinn 1y ago
  > Standard circuits are either 8A or 10A. Both type E and F plugs are rated for 16, and afaik that’s generally the rating in countries which use them. I’m sure there are others but Switzerland is the only country I know of in Europe were plugs are limited to 10 and you have to hard-wire 16.
  - avidiax 1y ago
    My mistake extrapolating from the Swiss :)
  - merb 1y ago
    Most camping places in France/spain that do have cee or type e/f might limit to 6a/10a. Fyi. It’s mostly to limit power draw since you pay a flat fee.

Rebelgecko 1y ago

Dunno if it's the case here, but the charger doesn't know if it's plugged into an extension cord that isn't rated for 3kW or whatever EU plugs put out

magicalhippo 1y ago
Concern over people using extension cords or splitters is a frequently cited reason, like in this news article[1]. [1]: https://www.ba.no/lader-du-elbilen-din-i-stikkontakt-det-bor-du-kun-gjore-i-nodstilfelle/s/5-8-2898380 https://www.ba.no/lader-du-elbilen-din-i-stikkontakt-det-bor...
aidenn0 1y ago
IMO it should be illegal to sell an unfused extension-cord. That would solve like 95% of the issues that get blamed on extension cords.
- shawabawa3 1y ago
  This is the case in the UK, another win for our bulky plug socket
  - aidenn0 1y ago
    You can fit a fuse in the body of a NEMA 1-15 connector; outdoor Christmas lights, for example do this.