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I have 2 distinct options given the proximity of both my range plug (which is directly backing onto my garage, so basically I'd only have to drill a hole through the wall behind the range and I'm in the garage), or my dryer circuit which is now actually powering my pool pump. Our dryer was converted to gas long ago, so the dryer circuit was dormant, and when we upgraded to a 220v pool pump I repurposed it.
The range circuit is currently wired with 6/3, for 50 amps.
The dryer circuit is wired with 10/3, for 30 amps.
I'm looking at the two options from this perspective:
For our 2012 I won't need more than [email protected]
Range circuit option: I'll have to run a short length of 6/3 through the wall and then install a pony panel with a 20/30a breaker (depending on how future proof I decide to make things I guess, but I'll probably opt for 30) and then 10/3 for about a 30 foot run to the opposite wall where I'll want the EVSE. Yes, I could just run 6/3 all the way (and theoretically have 50A for future proofing) but the cost is quite high for 6/3 wiring - a pony panel, breaker, and smaller wire constitutes a notable saving in the end. And given it's a shared circuit in the end I could never get 50a out of it anyways without constantly popping the downstream breaker, so it's a waste.
Positives: Easy, direct access via a simple hold in the wall behind the range, theoretically future proof up to 50amps but it'd have to be rewired straight to the panel (vs shared with the range) to accomplish that.
Negatives: Not sure exactly how many amps the range draws under what would be a moderate to heavy load. It's a double oven model with the standard 4 glass top elements, so I see it being theoretically possible that between the range and the 16 amps the Volt will be drawing it could trip the 50A circuit. Could unknowingly be exceeding the 80% continuous load guideline without knowing it, although it would be only under exceedingly rare circumstances, and from what I can find online 6/3 can actually carry 60A circuits, so the 80% rule still means it can carry 48 amps without any wiring issues, but potential breaker tripping issues...again, under exceedingly rare circumstances where the Volt is charging flat out and both ovens and all 4 elements are burning on the stove.
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Dryer circuit option: Direct patch into the existing 10/3 in the basement straight out to where I'll install the plug. No need for pony panel as I won't be stepping down the wiring anywhere.
Positives: Easy, pool pump is a variable speed model that only draws 10.3 amps when running at 100%, and we NEVER run it at 100% - most of the time it's running at about 30% or less, so the peak draw is only 4 or 5 amps at peak, leaving 25 amps for the EVSE. At those loads (pool pump @5A and EVSE @16A) things are comfortably within the 80% constant load guideline still.
Negatives: I'd have to lock out the pool pump from exceeding an RPM that would cause it to draw more than 8A otherwise, theoretically, it could exceed the 80% safety range of the 10/3 wiring. However, it does have a lockout ability that can be configured to ensure that the combination of the EVSE running flat out and the pool pump running don't exceed 24 amps (80%) at any point.
At this point I'm leaning towards utilizing the dryer circuit...unless anyone can give me a compelling reason to opt for the range circuit.
I will probably wire for 30a to the garage even though we only need 16. If we do step up to a higher amp requirement in the future I'll probably get an electrician in to add a full blown pony panel directly off the main panel at that point.
The range circuit is currently wired with 6/3, for 50 amps.
The dryer circuit is wired with 10/3, for 30 amps.
I'm looking at the two options from this perspective:
For our 2012 I won't need more than [email protected]
Range circuit option: I'll have to run a short length of 6/3 through the wall and then install a pony panel with a 20/30a breaker (depending on how future proof I decide to make things I guess, but I'll probably opt for 30) and then 10/3 for about a 30 foot run to the opposite wall where I'll want the EVSE. Yes, I could just run 6/3 all the way (and theoretically have 50A for future proofing) but the cost is quite high for 6/3 wiring - a pony panel, breaker, and smaller wire constitutes a notable saving in the end. And given it's a shared circuit in the end I could never get 50a out of it anyways without constantly popping the downstream breaker, so it's a waste.
Positives: Easy, direct access via a simple hold in the wall behind the range, theoretically future proof up to 50amps but it'd have to be rewired straight to the panel (vs shared with the range) to accomplish that.
Negatives: Not sure exactly how many amps the range draws under what would be a moderate to heavy load. It's a double oven model with the standard 4 glass top elements, so I see it being theoretically possible that between the range and the 16 amps the Volt will be drawing it could trip the 50A circuit. Could unknowingly be exceeding the 80% continuous load guideline without knowing it, although it would be only under exceedingly rare circumstances, and from what I can find online 6/3 can actually carry 60A circuits, so the 80% rule still means it can carry 48 amps without any wiring issues, but potential breaker tripping issues...again, under exceedingly rare circumstances where the Volt is charging flat out and both ovens and all 4 elements are burning on the stove.
------
Dryer circuit option: Direct patch into the existing 10/3 in the basement straight out to where I'll install the plug. No need for pony panel as I won't be stepping down the wiring anywhere.
Positives: Easy, pool pump is a variable speed model that only draws 10.3 amps when running at 100%, and we NEVER run it at 100% - most of the time it's running at about 30% or less, so the peak draw is only 4 or 5 amps at peak, leaving 25 amps for the EVSE. At those loads (pool pump @5A and EVSE @16A) things are comfortably within the 80% constant load guideline still.
Negatives: I'd have to lock out the pool pump from exceeding an RPM that would cause it to draw more than 8A otherwise, theoretically, it could exceed the 80% safety range of the 10/3 wiring. However, it does have a lockout ability that can be configured to ensure that the combination of the EVSE running flat out and the pool pump running don't exceed 24 amps (80%) at any point.
At this point I'm leaning towards utilizing the dryer circuit...unless anyone can give me a compelling reason to opt for the range circuit.
I will probably wire for 30a to the garage even though we only need 16. If we do step up to a higher amp requirement in the future I'll probably get an electrician in to add a full blown pony panel directly off the main panel at that point.
