EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable - Renewable-powered transport (EVs & e-bikes)

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Becks2526 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:48:37 +0000

@hem Sorry to hijack this thread, but did you manage to resolve the cable route issue? I have exactly the same problem and would welcome any assistance in resolving it. Many thanks.

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Transparent — Tue, 21 May 2024 13:43:53 +0000

I'm assuming that the SWA cable has copper conductors of either 1.5mm² or 2.5mm²
Those sizes are difficult to discriminate based solely on external dimensions.
But perhaps this might help:

7367

The exact figures differ between manufacturers.
Each SWA cable might use different plastics as the insulator.

The major problem with SWA are the losses, especially if it's in a duct or directly buried.
The IET assumes that direct burial is in dry ground, resulting in little heat escaping.
Running the cable in wet clay soils can allow you to pass higher currents, albeit you're then not complying with the IET specification.

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Hem — Mon, 20 May 2024 23:03:19 +0000

@transparent Sorry I don't have😔

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Transparent — Mon, 20 May 2024 18:02:15 +0000

Those markings are not the ones which tell us the conductor size, unfortunately.

Do you happen to have vernier calipers which could be used to measure the diameter of the black, grey or brown internal wires?

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Hem — Mon, 20 May 2024 17:19:34 +0000

@transparent find the size of the cable.. advice please

7364 7352

Thank you..

Hem

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Transparent — Sun, 19 May 2024 17:38:41 +0000

The fact that the MCB is rated 16A tells us what we need to know.

If you were sure to use no garage light or socket at the same time, then you'd be able to draw 16A for the EV.
Unless you have any other evidence that the SW cable is larger than 1.5mm² then you shouldn't increase the rating of the MCB.

There's a cable-size calculator here on the TLC Direct website which can 'play' with to see what's possible.

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Hem — Sun, 19 May 2024 15:54:39 +0000

I checked, Electricity is going through our power supply and the fuse pic attached.

In garage it is connected to plug socket and to a bulb. I have checked the trip too. Pic attached.

Thanks,

Hem

7357 7356 7355

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Hem — Sun, 19 May 2024 15:53:53 +0000

@transparent I checked, Electricity is going through our power supply and the fuse pic attached.

In garage it is connected to plug socket and to a bulb. I have checked the trip too. Pic attached.

Thanks,

Hem

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Transparent — Sun, 19 May 2024 09:14:38 +0000

So whose electricity is passing through that junction box?

What socket (or light) does it feed within your garage?

Which of the trips in your consumer unit render that socket 'dead'?
Any of them?

RE: EV charger installation question – I don't want to bury the cable

Hem — Sun, 19 May 2024 05:57:31 +0000

@transparent Thank you for your reply. It's going to be difficult to find the other end. That unit on the garage wall is in neighbours garden 🙄