Coming Soon: Siemens Product Avoiding Panel Upgrades (in Q1 2023?)

[astricklin]

I just ran across this article. Not sure of the full specifications but if it will handle 100amps (or less if not looking to install the FCSP) this could be a good solution for anyone that is being told they need a panel upgrade.

https://electrek.co/2022/07/27/siemens-home-ev-charger-adapter/

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[beatle]

I could not use your link. Here it is:

https://electrek.co/2022/07/27/siemens-home-ev-charger-adapter/

 

[Tony Burgh]

Looks like a smart clean solution to the problem of inadequate power and/or space in existing breaker panels.

 

[FlasherZ]

Interesting... some AHJ's are likely to have a problem with this as there is a code requirement to co-locate all service disconnects to a building. One of my 2 chargers is connected via a separate set of lugs on my meter, but I had to feed it through the house and put a 100A disconnect in the basement with the other two service disconnects.

Perhaps they offer a remote switch that disables it.

 

[Maquis]

There are several different meter sockets. I wonder if they’ll have multiple designs to accommodate?

 

[SmoothJ]

This is a practical idea, and I like where this is going. However it won't work for everyone as someones meter pan maybe in back/side of their house vs their driveway. In some cases, even inside the house.

 

[Maquis]

After a little research, I find that this is not new. Another company is already selling these, cost about $400. They received a patent on the design in 2020.

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2022/01/19/connectder-approved-to-connect-in-floridas-capital-city/

 

[SmokingtheMeats]

I would love to try this. Would my electrician know how to install this or would I have to work with Siemens?

 

[FlasherZ]

I would love to try this. Would my electrician know how to install this or would I have to work with Siemens?

They'll know how to do it.

They will have to work with the power company to break the seal and reseal your meter.

 

[Maquis]

I would love to try this. Would my electrician know how to install this or would I have to work with Siemens?

You will need a licensed electrician and approval of your utility.
And a permit and inspection likely needed in order to have the utility turn your service back on.

 

[astricklin]

This is a practical idea, and I like where this is going. However it won't work for everyone as someones meter pan maybe in back/side of their house vs their driveway. In some cases, even inside the house.

I'd imagine you can run wiring to it from anywhere. It looks like the company making it has another similar product that's made for solar installation. So I'm guessing it's just a connection point that can be wired into but I don't see any information about this new product on their website.

 

[beatle]

How much current are the service lines coming into your house typically rated for? I'm thinking of a house that may have as little as 100A service may have smaller service lines not capable of a 100A increase.

Can you run a subpanel for multiple EVSE circuits off this collar?

 

[Maquis]

How much current are the service lines coming into your house typically rated for? I'm thinking of a house that may have as little as 100A service may have smaller service lines not capable of a 100A increase.

Can you run a subpanel for multiple EVSE circuits off this collar?

The thing is supposed to measure the total consumption and not allow the new connection to overload the service. I don’t know exactly how this is accomplished.

I got into a discussion on these devices with a guy who knows a lot more than I do about them (he’s also a member of the NEC code-making panel). He says that various utilities treat these differently. Some will only allow them if they supply them, and some even charge a monthly fee to have it. Some don’t allow them at all. So be sure to check with your utility!

No, I don't think you could use it to power a sub panel in a code-compliant fashion.

 

[Amps]

He says that various utilities treat these differently. Some will only allow them if they supply them, and some even charge a monthly fee to have it. Some don’t allow them at all. So be sure to check with your utility!

For lack of a better term, does this device appear to be 'taking advantage' of the way some utilities are willing to upgrade 200A service to 320A or 400A without installing new service cable? One of the last couple of Saratoga, NY episodes of This Old House, the utility allowed twin 200A service panels without any upgrade to the overhead service lines. I guess it looks more like a load monitoring/management device that uses the meter base load rating to avoid overloading a service panel rating.

I've been contemplating installing a new CSED replacing my existing meter base for my garage (existing 60A sub-panel) and EVSE heavy loads to make my existing 200A load center into a sub-panel. This collar could potentially allow me to just run a 100A circuit 125 feet directly to the EVSE. The question is how it manages loads and whether smart chargers are affected by the load shedding.

 

[Maquis]

For lack of a better term, does this device appear to be 'taking advantage' of the way some utilities are willing to upgrade 200A service to 320A or 400A without installing new service cable? One of the last couple of Saratoga, NY episodes of This Old House, the utility allowed twin 200A service panels without any upgrade to the overhead service lines. I guess it looks more like a load monitoring/management device that uses the meter base load rating to avoid overloading a service panel rating.

I've been contemplating installing a new CSED replacing my existing meter base for my garage (existing 60A sub-panel) and EVSE heavy loads to make my existing 200A load center into a sub-panel. This collar could potentially allow me to just run a 100A circuit 125 feet directly to the EVSE. The question is how it manages loads and whether smart chargers are affected by the load shedding.

Utilities aren't bound by the NEC. It’s not unusual for the utility not change anything on their side for a service upgrade. In most cases, a home going from a 100A to 200A service isn’t doing so because they actually need double the capacity, only a marginal increase. If overhead wires get a little warm, who cares.

I’m not sure about what you describe in your second paragraph.

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