A Charge Point Living Outside, And A Lead Worth Stealing

What's happening?

A home charge point is one of the few pieces of electrical equipment a household deliberately mounts outdoors and then expects to last a decade. Manufacturers design for that (sealed enclosures, weather-rated sockets, UV-stable plastics), but siting decides how hard a life it gets. A unit on a south-facing wall in full afternoon sun runs hotter, and heat is what ages the electronics and can make a unit throttle its output on a summer day. A unit under a leaking gutter takes water where the cable enters. A unit at the end of an open driveway is visible from the street with a lead attached, and charging leads are stolen for their copper. None of this is a fault to diagnose; it is a specification and siting question that is cheap to get right at install and awkward to fix afterwards.

What usually causes it?

• Mounting on the most convenient wall rather than the most sheltered one
• A position in direct afternoon sun, so the enclosure runs hot in summer
• Water discharging onto the unit from a defective gutter, or splashing up from a hard standing
• An untethered socket left with a lead plugged in and unattended overnight
• A tethered lead left coiled on the ground where it is driven over or stands in water
• Salt-laden air near the coast, or a rendered wall that holds damp behind the backplate

Is it dangerous?

Water and the electrical parts are the concern, and the protection built into the unit is what stops it becoming dangerous, which is exactly why a unit showing water inside the enclosure, a cracked case, or a scorched or discoloured socket should be isolated and looked at rather than used. A damaged lead is the more common hazard: a lead that has been driven over, cut at, or pulled out under tension can have damaged conductors inside an intact-looking sheath. Do not use one that has been tampered with.

Can I fix it myself?

Look at the unit properly a couple of times a year. Check the case for cracks and the socket flap or holster for a working seal. Check the wall above for a gutter or overflow discharging onto it. Keep the lead off the ground and out of standing water, and store it in the holster rather than looped over the unit. Where the unit is untethered and the driveway is open to the street, unplug and take the lead in: the socket is far less attractive than a lead. Clean the case with a damp cloth only; never a pressure washer.

When should you call an EV charger installer?

Call an installer if you can see water inside the enclosure, if the case is cracked or the socket flap no longer seals, if the unit has been struck by a vehicle, or if the lead or socket shows scorching or melting. Also call one if the unit has been getting hot and cutting back on sunny days, since relocating or shading it is a real fix. If the unit has been prised at or the lead cut, have it inspected before use even if it appears to work.

What will the EV charger installer actually do?

• Inspect the enclosure, gland and backplate for water ingress and check the seal at the wall
• Test the circuit and the unit's protective devices after any impact or attempted theft
• Relocate or shade a unit that is overheating in direct sun and derating its output
• Replace a damaged tethered lead or socket assembly with the manufacturer's part
• Advise on a lockable or holstered arrangement where the position is exposed to the street

Questions people ask

Sources & References

1. IET: Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation
2. Pod Point: Support and product guidance
3. Electrical Safety First: Safety guidance