My landlord has recently installed a charging point for me in the garage, but they haven’t given me any further information about the features of the socket. I’ve asked, but they haven’t been able to answer my questions.
On the socket there are some details, but I’m not sure if they can be trusted because the cable coming from the wall into the socket is very thin. I was told by colleagues that a 3 phase cable (400v) would be thicker - like a hosepipe almost. This one in my garage is more like the thickness of my finger. Which makes me think that the socket is capable of 400v but perhaps it’s just setup to supply 240v?
Am I misinformed? I’m really out of my depth on this one, hopefully someone knowledgeable here can correct me.
The reason this is important is the cable for 400v is 6x more expensive and I’d rather not have to return it (with a hefty restocking fee) when it doesn’t work.
https://shop.bals.ch/en/A~100027/AP-…00V-6h-IP44-Ni
The thickness of the cable will be based on the amperage. For example, 400V 16A will be a thicker than a 400V 10A cable, both being 3-phase.
Here is a (hopefully accurate) diagram of the various sockets used in Switzerland.
http://www.toplight.ch/info/ch_plugs.pdf
Perhaps you can try try to identify which of these sockets you have, then see if the cable specification has the socket name on it.
That's really useful. Thanks!
It also depends on whether the landlord installed:
a) just a 'normal' electrical outlet (of which there are the various types in the linked PDF file - a red or blue socket would be very likely. The difference is that (i) the blue socket support 2 phases at 230 V and (ii) the red socket 3 phases at 400 V, or
b) a wallbox for electrical vehicle charging
In order to charge an electrical vehicle in case of:
a) you will need some kind of charger (Juicebooster, NRGkick, etc.)
b) you will need just a charging cable from the wallbox to your vehicle
The cable for 400 V doesn't have to be super-thick by the way. Washing machines and clothes dryers for example are usually 400 V.
The thickness of the cable depends mainly on the power that the cable is rated to carry, in other words the number of amps. However a 3-phase cable will inevitably be thicker than a single phase cable because of the extra wires in the cable. If the installation has been carried out by a proper electrician it should be fairly obvious what the ratings are. Ideally you should have a proper wall box to charge your car and not a simple socket outlet.
Photo of the socket and the cable?
Also, please ask your landlord to put you in contact with the electrician who installed the socket. Than ask that person.
I did put a link with a photo in my original post. This is the exact wall plug that is fitted.
I will try and contact the electrician.
I don’t see the problem. Just plug in and see what you get. With A/C charging 16amps (66km per hour added) will be your limit and many car have lower maximums.
My cable from the Tesla Wall Connector to the car is much thicker than the 3 phase cable to the wall box...
I haven’t bought the cable yet. I should have been clearer in my initial post. Anyway, I’ve spoken to the electrician so problem solved.