[ausev] CALLING ALL EV-ers - outlet configurations?

[Claire Sorenson]

Yikes, and I thought electric cars were supposed to be more simple.  Don't
ya love it.  Boy do I have a lot to learn.  It reminds me of the beginning
days of computers.  Different operating systems, different program
configuarations, proprietary systems, etc., etc.  I hope once plug in
vehicles are on the market that EV connections will standardize a bit more.
Meanwhile, we sure are a creative bunch.  If any of you are old enough to
remember the TV show "Palladin".  One of our logos should be - "have plug
adaptor, will travel".  It make me appreciate my Escort that plugs into any
regular 110 outlet.


CS Unlimited
Claire Sorenson
Ph: 512-689-5911
Fax: 512-282-9942
 

-----Original Message-----
From: ausev-bounces at austinev.org [mailto:ausev-bounces at austinev.org] On
Behalf Of Christopher Robison
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:11 AM
To: ausev at austinev.org
Subject: Re: [ausev] CALLING ALL EV-ers - outlet configurations?

On Wed, 2007-11-28 at 19:40 -0600, Claire Sorenson wrote:
> Chris, in looking at the installation manual, the table "Required 
> Electrical
> Service":
> 
> Voltage - 120/240 VAC or 120/Y208 VAC
> Voltage Phase - single
> Frequency - 60 Hz
> Service Wire - four 8 AWG wires (must have Line 1, Line 2, Neutral, 
> and
> Ground)
> Circuti Breaker Rating - 40 A
> To reduce risk of fire, connect only to a circuit provided with 40 A 
> maximum branch circuit overcurrent protection, in accordance with NEC
codes.
> 
> Maybe this explains the difference in what you described below?  This 
> is single phase, not split phase?

Welcome to another installment of More Details Than You Were Really Asking
For. I'm your host, and I think we've got a great show for you today...

Single phase and split phase are slightly different variations on the same
thing. "Split phase" refers to how both 120 and 240 volts are delivered on 3
wires (plus a ground for newer installations). To get 120, you take half of
the 240VAC between the 2 hot wires ("Line 1" or "Line 2" in the nomenclature
above) by going from one of the hot wires to Neutral.  Between either hot
wire and neutral, you have single-phase 120VAC. Between the two hot wires
you have 240VAC, also single-phase.

Maybe a little more confusingly, 120Y208 is a 3-phase format, typically
available in commercial or light industrial settings. You have 3 phases 120
degrees apart instead of two at 180 apart, plus a neutral as above.
This wire configuration forms the "Y" (there's also a delta configuration
without the neutral). Just like split-phase, you can get single-phase at two
voltages out of this type of 3-phase supply. The voltage between any phase
and neutral is 120VAC. The voltage between any two of the phases is 208VAC.
When pulled out this way, each is single phase. When powering a 3-phase load
like a big motor, the 3 phases are used together, and little or no current
goes to the neutral.

As an aside, despite being told they'd have 240VAC available, we had to pull
208V off of the 3-phase available at the Maker Faire.

So basically the salient bits to retain from the above is that it needs
120VAC (probably for running the system) and separately, can take something
200-250 volts-ish for its main power draw and will pull a maximum of 40
amps. Like the Manzanita and Zivan chargers it evidently has a range of
voltage for the main input so it can accept 208 and 240.
This means it's flexible and can operate off of split phase and 3-phase
circuits. You just need to adapt the cord.


--
Christopher Robison
chris at ohmbre.org
http://ohmbre.org          <-- 1999 Isuzu Hombre + Z2K + Warp13!

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