I read online that it is not recommended to use an extension lead when charging a plug in hybrid. Has anyone got real knowledge of problems when using an extension cable?

Hello David,

I don’t think you will get much support on here to use extension leads vs. getting a dedicated charging socket professionally installed. 
Do you know what current this draws when charging? 
Could be in excess of the normal 13 amps for domestic appliances.

Regards,

Gareth.

 

Thanks Gareth. I have the supplied cable from Audi but I could do with it being a little longer. Not sure how much a dedicated charging socket would cost, probably more than a 10 meter cable.

Most extension cables are only rated for 5 amps continuous or 10 amps intermittent. Trying to draw more than that will result in melting or even fire. What current are you trying to draw at your charger?

Not had personal experience of using extension leads. As said previously it depends on the continuos current you are drawing. If your supplied cable has a domestic plug then it will not draw more than 13amps. 32 amp armoured extension cables are used on building projects but use more robust waterproof connectors. 16 amp cables are available for caravan hookup but with same waterproof connectors. There are domestic extension cables with 2.5mm 3 core that would probably be suitable as they are typically rated 20amp but need to check as different construction has an impact.. Cables wound on drums need to be fully extended when in use. 

Thanks Joe, very helpful.

Hello David,

Does your charging lead start as a conventional 13 amp plug? 

58 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello David,

Does your charging lead start as a conventional 13 amp plug? 

Yes.

Obviously the old style charging set up then. In that case, it should be possible to use as-short-as-possible extension lead, but:- 

If it were mine, I would certainly be investing in a dedicated best quality fused, surge protected lead of the shortest practical length, and ensuring all connection points are protected from the elements. Do not be tempted to use whatever Poundland type extension lead you have to hand - not on. 
If in any doubt please seek advice from a qualified electrician. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

1 hour ago, Magnet said:

Obviously the old style charging set up then. In that case, it should be possible to use as-short-as-possible extension lead, but:- 

If it were mine, I would certainly be investing in a dedicated best quality fused, surge protected lead of the shortest practical length, and ensuring all connection points are protected from the elements. Do not be tempted to use whatever Poundland type extension lead you have to hand - not on. 
If in any doubt please seek advice from a qualified electrician. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks Gareth. I will only use an extension lead when I need to, and only in daylight when I am at home. I can position the car close to the socket, but it is tight, dunno why the car socket is not on the front of the car, ( yes I do, for the benefit of Audi), I usually back onto my drive, but will have to change my habits now.

Thanks for your comments guys. I think that I may get myself a 10 metre cable. Not sure I want to go to Audi, any recommendations to third party suppliers?

 

I bought an outside plug socket from B&Q which looks at first glance like a double socket but one half is all about fusing etc to minimise overloading.  I wired it up using some heavy duty cable into another double socket's wiring, in my garage, on the inside of the wall to my new  outside one.  It's less than 2 feet away from the main property's fuse box.  Had it now for over well over 2 years and never had an issue (touch wood)  -  Car 2021 A3 Sportback TFSI e

EV Charger Cable Type 2 to 3 Pin Plug 10M/32.81Ft, Max 3.1kW [6-13A] Electric Car Charger, Portable Car Type 2 Charging Cable 3 Pin with 2.4″ LED Screen, 12H Timing Delay, IP67/IP65 for EVs & PHEVs

And wonder if it would do for me.

Here is the link.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FHH3YX38?tag=track-ect-uk-2114513-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&ascsubtag=bnSEPh4efyjmhiz8y5y

Hang on a moment. You started the thread asking about extension cables for what I assume is an Audi charge point; now you are suggesting a complete new charge point of unknown quality.

Can we start again by asking what the problem is with your charge point, what brand it is, and why you want to change it? Despite what you may read here or elsewhere, you can not safely plug anything you want into a domestic socket without consideration of the electrical load the appliance will draw.

Don’t want to put you off anything David, but this is an Amazon only, probably made in China, sold via a U.K. agent, charger. Says it’s to CE specification, but is it legitimately tested and actually authentically CE marked. 
No doubt you are aware of fires of attributed to Chinese chargers, even with electric bikes. 
You have obviously ‘invested some funds’ in this car, so why not get a properly installed dedicated outside charger? Grants available? 
Regards,

Gareth. 

20 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

Hang on a moment. You started the thread asking about extension cables for what I assume is an Audi charge point; now you are suggesting a complete new charge point of unknown quality.

Can we start again by asking what the problem is with your charge point, what brand it is, and why you want to change it? Despite what you may read here or elsewhere, you can not safely plug anything you want into a domestic socket without consideration of the electrical load the appliance will draw.

Sorry for any confusion. I was asking about using an extension cable between my domestic socket and the home charging cable supplied by Audi, not a charge point. My problem is that the supplied 3 pin cable is not really long enough.

Yes, got that David. 
Guess you are taking on board the comments in my last post re. the Amazon lead you enquired about. 

Yes Gareth. 

2 hours ago, Magnet said:

Yes, got that David. 
Guess you are taking on board the comments in my last post re. the Amazon lead you enquired about. 

Yes Gareth,. thanks. I will look into a charge point. (if that is the correct t term).

Strictly speaking the charger is in the car. The equipment you plug into the car is nothing more than a 230 volt AC power supply with some electrical interlocks to communicate with the car. It is also known as an EVSE.

The important points to note are:

1/ Whether the wiring to your socket outlet is rated for 13 Amps. It should be if the cable is 2.5 mm diameter, but it would be as well to check.

2/ The longer the cable on the EVSE the greater the power loss. Typically these things can lose as much as a fifth of the consumed power as heat, so it makes sense to have the cable as short as practical. That's why I question if you really need a 10 metre cable.

3/ There are many instances of the 3 pin mains plugs on these units melting and sometimes igniting as a result of the heat generated by drawing 13 amps (or even 16 amps in some units,) continuously for many hours. That is the principle reason a normal extension cable should not be used between socket outlet and charge point.

You should bear those factors in mind when choosing a plug-in EVSE. (I do hate the use of acronyms, but it's often unavoidable.) As a matter of fact I use a charge point that has adjustable current and delay timer for my car, even though many folk are calling for a ban on them because of the potential for fire. I took the precaution of having a dedicated socket outlet only 8 inches from the fuseboard. I also limit the charging current to 10 amps,but despite that the 3 pin plug gets warm after six hours.

In summary be prepared for an element of risk if you get one of these units, and use it wisely. A safer solution would be a fixed installation costing over £1000. I have had five of the fixed charge points, but none were suitable for my particular car because of its limited software capabilities, hence I was forced to revert to a plug-in.

Thank you Clifford, a very helpful post. In view of your comments I think I will get an electrician to put a suitable socket closer to where I need it.

A wise decision.

It won't surprise you to know I have had a few of these plug-in EVSEs, so I suggest you find one with separate buttons for current and delay time to avoid mistakenly altering the wrong setting on a single button. You will see many identical units for sale with different brand names, but note they are all made in the same Chinese factory.

Furthermore the one I had with a phone app was utterly useless and was sent back for a refund. Maybe they are better now, or maybe it was just a weak wifi signal in my garage. I settled for reliability over convenience and now set the delay when I park the car.