New GFCI code

[Kev12345]

https://www.motortrend.com/news/national-electric-code-revision-threatens-ev-charging/

In 2020, the national code started requiring GFCI protection on 240-volt plug receptacles. This now moves GFCI breakers to hard wire chargers resulting in better chance of nuisance trips.

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[tls]

It's not a big deal. In much of the rest of the world, entire homes are on a master GFCI. Home chargers there still work fine.

 

[Runaway Tractor]

I can't imagine GFCI will a problem with chargers. If it's tripping, something is wrong.

 

[farmtruck]

The breaker manufacturers are making EV specific GFCIs.

 

[Mmiketa]

If your charger is already installed it is not required to meet the newer code, you are grandfathered in. Additionally, the 2020 NEC does not apply to every state. Virginia recently adopted it and other states have not. Some states are on 2023.

 

[marc_hanna]

I do find that that the GFCI breakers are overly sensitive. I am optimistic that manufacturers will improve.

 

[shelnian]

My in-laws were experiencing GFCI breaker tripping almost every day with their ChargePoint EVSE. I hardwired it and replace the GFCI breaker with a standard one and it hasn't had a problem since.

 

[Maquis]

It's not a big deal. In much of the rest of the world, entire homes are on a master GFCI. Home chargers there still work fine.

The rest of the world uses RCD (residual current detectors), not GFCIs. The RCD trip threshold is between 5 and 6 times higher than our GFCIs.

 

[Ricks Lightning]

I installed the 50 amp gfci spa style outdoor rated disconnect off my main panel 50 amp breaker. But since the charger is 240 volts there is no neutral wire connection from the chargers plug in 4 wire cord to the charger. So I only ran a 50' 6-2 with ground romex from the spa gfi disconnect to the non fusable disconnect inside the charger exterior lockable outdoor charger.

Just to Recap. 50 amp main breaker feeding the outdoor spa gfci disconnect 3' run ran 4-6 gauge wires 2H,1N,1G. From the spa gfci disconnect ran 50' of 6-2 Romex with ground. No neutral.
This then comes into my outdoor 24"x18" outdoor rated lockable box. Inside the box is my 50amp non fusable disconnect, fedding my nema 14-50 outlet. #6- 2H, 1G. Remember that the charger has a 14-50 4 wire cord with plug. But the neutral wire inside the charger is not connected.

So since there is no Neutral wire from gfci spa panel to the charger, I've had the gfci trip 1x when the pull out non fusable disconnect wasn't fully pushed in and got hot. Seems like these cheap disconnects are not machined perfectly to allow for easy engagement.

Without the need of a neutral, my gfci still worked fine on my 50amp charger.

Rick

 

[Maquis]

I’ve talked to a guy on the code panel. He expects that a NITMAM (Notice of intent to make a motion) to be filed before the July 2025 meeting where this will be voted on by the code making panel. There’s a fair chance that this either gets nixed or at least modified before being adopted.

 

[marc_hanna]

Seems like these cheap disconnects are not machined perfectly to allow for easy engagement.

I doubt they’re machined at all. They’re most likely stamped. There’s also a good chance that the cheap ones are from the end of the run when the punch was worn out. You end up with stamped parts that aren’t very flat.

 

[Mmiketa]

I’ve talked to a guy on the code panel. He expects that a NITMAM (Notice of intent to make a motion) to be filed before the July 2025 meeting where this will be voted on by the code making panel. There’s a fair chance that this either gets nixed or at least modified before being adopted.

The 2020 NEC where this appears has been approved and shipped since 2020. What may be happening is your state deciding if they want to adopt the 2020 NEC?

 

[Maquis]

The 2020 NEC where this appears has been approved and shipped since 2020. What may be happening is your state deciding if they want to adopt the 2020 NEC?

What’s being discussed here is the change proposed for 2026 that would require all branch circuits for EVSEs to be GFCI protected. 2020 did not require GFCI protection for hard wired circuits installed indoors.

 

[TechnoSwiss]

I've got the latest version of the Eaton 50A GFCI breaker, and I've had zero issues with my Ford mobile charger using it.

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