When making the switch over to an electric vehicle (EV), charging will become very important to you.
As such, EV owners will examine their options for recharging from their homes, as it is more convenient and much more cost-effective than using commercial EV chargers.
However, if your EV charger has been installed in a hard-to-reach area, or if you have not yet installed one of your own, you may need to consider the use of extension cords to be able to charge your car.
But is it safe to use an extension cord and charge your EV? Keep reading to learn more.
Can I use an extension on Type 2 to Type 2 charging cables?
Yes!
There is a variety of Type 2 to Type 2 extension cables designed to extend the range of your pre-existing charging cable safely and securely.
With a choice of cord lengths, including 5m, 10m, and 15m, you have plenty of choices and can ensure that you can fully charge your car using your EV charging unit.
There are also a range of different charging cables compatible with a variety of charge speeds, including either the 16amp (3.6kW) slow charger or the 32amp (7.2kW) fast charger.
These cable extensions are incredibly safe to use because the connectors on Type 2 to Type 2 charging cord and the Type 2 to Type 2 extension cord fit together snugly, forming a tight connection.
It is crucial that you purchase an extension cable with an appropriate power rating and circuit breakers that can handle that sort of power. This means that if you are using charging cords designed for 32amp (7.2kW) fast charger, you should purchase the corresponding extension cord.
You should also not use charging cables as extension cords as they can fail to connect securely. If cables have compromised connections, there can be an increased chance of accidents and injuries.
Can I extend a Type 2 to 3-pin charging cable?
There is a generally mixed consensus around using extension cables and a Type 2 to 3-pin charging cable.
Some electric car manufacturers- like BMW, state in their user manuals that extension cables should not be used.
However, not everyone who owns an electric vehicle will have access to an EV charging unit so must use their domestic electricity supply.
There is an increased risk of hazards such as electric shocks and electrical fires if using an extension cable, as they can be liable to overheat, especially in homes with older electricity systems.
If you choose to use an extension cable alongside a Type 2 to 3-pin charging cable, you should adhere to the following safety tips to help you stay safe. This includes:
- Follow all the guidelines and safety procedures that are included with your extension cable
- Avoid using tangled or knotted extension cables, as these can increase the likelihood of overheating and can cause short circuits or electrical fires
- Don’t exceed the safety threshold of the extension cable
- Ensure you use a 13amp, heavy-duty extension cable that is waterproof
- Check the socket, extension cable plug, and the extension cable itself for signs of overheating regularly during use
- Never charge while you are sleeping or working as you will not be able to check on it
Choose EV charging cables from the experts in EV charging
The decision to use extension cables and Type 2 to 3-pin charging cables in conjunction is likely to remain contentious for a few years to come.
Until enough tests have been completed to determine how safe it truly is, we can only advise that you use extension cables with vigilance, and preferably as a last resort.
Using Type 2 to Type 2 extension cables, on the other hand, remains perfectly safe and will allow you to recharge your car without any extra worry or the need to supervise the process.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our charging experts here at EV Cable Shop on 01744 886 305 or fill in our enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
