It is entirely possible to charge an electric car in a regular wall outlet, but it is not entirely optimal.
According to the Swedish Electrical Safety Authority, charging via a standard wall socket, also known as a Schuko socket, can pose a risk of fire. It is therefore not recommended to regularly charge the electric car via an ordinary electrical outlet.
If you still have to charge the electric car via a regular wall outlet, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The condition of the electrical installation
One of the reasons why charging in an ordinary electrical socket can be a fire hazard is that the Schuko sockets are not designed to withstand a high load for a long time.
The condition of the electrical system also plays a role, as old or incorrect connections can lead to heat generation at high loads.
Michael Carlson, technical expert at the Swedish Electrical Safety Authority, tells Nyheter24 that it is not always the wall socket itself that gets hot. Instead, it can get hot at some other point in the electrical system between the outlet and the central electrical unit.
If the electrical installation in the summer house is of an older design, it can therefore be good to have an electrical installation company check its condition before you start charging your electric car there.
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Be careful when charging
If you absolutely have to charge the electric car in a regular wall outlet, according to Mikael Carlson, it is good to keep a constant watch and check that there is no heat development in the electrical system.
For this reason, one should also avoid charging while sleeping.
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Sun and heat increase the risk
It is also worth remembering that hot summer weather can also increase the risk of overheating in the electrical system.
According to Mikael Carlson, many reason that it is fine to charge the electric car in an engine heater outlet, because an engine heater also draws a relatively large amount of power.
However, the engine heater is rarely used in high summer heat, but rather in low winter temperatures.
– Wooden facades, south facing, warm weather and high effects increase the risk, says Mikael Carlson to Nyheter24.
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Most important action: Lower the charging current
However, if you keep a close watch and have an electrical system in good condition, it should be fine to occasionally charge your electric car via a regular electrical outlet.
However, there is one measure that, according to Mikael Carlson, should always be taken to ensure that the charging takes place as safely as possible.
It is about reducing the charging current to between 8 or lower, and simply letting the charging take longer. This is normally done inside the electric car under the menu for settings related to charging.
– It makes a huge difference to lower the effect, says Mikael Carlson to Nyheter24.
According to the Swedish Electrical Safety Authority’s recommendations, you should also avoid charging via an extension cable, as this creates more risks and can also lead to the fuse not working correctly.
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