EEVblog 1643 - DON'T BUY this Cheap 7kW 32A EV Charger

[EEVblog]

You get what you pay for in EV chargers. Don't buy this super cheap 7kW 32A EVSE Charger.
Does it even meet the IEC 62752 it claims on the label? Or the US UL 2231 standard?

[mikeselectricstuff]

Does it even meet the IEC 62752 it claims on the label?

From BSEN62752 :

5 Characteristics of IC-CPDs
5.1 Summary of characteristics
IC-CPDs are provided with switching contacts for line(s) and neutral, if applicable.

8.4.2 Contact mechanism
Each line conductor and the neutral conductor, if any, of the IC-CPD shall be provided with
switching contacts.

Nope.
(the "if applicable" refers to 3-phase units which many not have a neutral)

 

IC-CPDs have a defined residual current operation function. This function provides protection
against electric shock for the connected electric vehicle in case of failure of basic protection
and / or fault protection in accordance with IEC 61851-1.

8.8.3 Operating characteristics with a.c. residual currents and residual currents
having a d.c. component
The break times for the IC-CPD shall be according to Table 2 in presence of a.c. residual
currents at rated frequency and residual currents having a d.c. component.

Double Nope

An automatic verification shall ensure detection of unintended closed contacts.
The IC-CPD shall have an indicator showing the state of the contacts and give a clear
indication or response in case of unintentionally closed contacts.

I'd be highly surprised if it complies with this

There are 50-odd pages, excluding test methods and annexes.

I've seen a major brand-name unit which had been actually tested by TUV  still have some noncompliances with this standard.

[f4eru]

Too small earth. That dinky 0.75mm² wire is supposed to ground a vehicle against faults, including lightning?
Also, the earth wanders over a PCB trace, which is really bad..
Don't buy.

[Gyro]

Didn't treez spend some time asking about EV charger design? 

[coromonadalix]

now ways  that thing handle 7kw   loll

more an fire hazard than anything

[mikeselectricstuff]

Too small earth. That dinky 0.75mm² wire is supposed to ground a vehicle against faults, including lightning?

it's fine - it has RCD protect.. oh, hang on....

[mikeselectricstuff]

If they'd omitted the unncessary display and voltage/current measurement, they could probably have had DP switching and RCD protection for about the same cost   

[Monkeh]

If they'd omitted the unncessary display and voltage/current measurement, they could probably have had DP switching and RCD protection for about the same cost   

Standards compliance doesn't sell products. Flashy screens do. A sad world..

[Xena E]

Didn't treez spend some time asking about EV charger design? 

And here's the evidence

 

[richnormand]

On the EEVblog front page I see the picture of your previous video with the "surprisingly good..." on it with the "don't buy..." description.
However the link does go to the "don't buy " video.
Is it just me or a switcharoo?

[golden_labels]

Was the outer insulation of the cable removed using… knife? It looks as if somebody literally shaved it off by hand.

[tszaboo]

If they'd omitted the unncessary display and voltage/current measurement, they could probably have had DP switching and RCD protection for about the same cost   

Standards compliance doesn't sell products. Flashy screens do. A sad world..

It does, when your customer is forced to buy certified products, and the certification and design is difficult.

[EEVblog]

On the EEVblog front page I see the picture of your previous video with the "surprisingly good..." on it with the "don't buy..." description.
However the link does go to the "don't buy " video.
Is it just me or a switcharoo?

Thanks. Bug in my Wordpress plugin that rips the thumbnail from the Youtube link.
If I link another Youtube video in the post before I link the new video, it pulls the thumbnail from the first link.
Fixed.

[EEVblog]

If they'd omitted the unncessary display and voltage/current measurement, they could probably have had DP switching and RCD protection for about the same cost   

Standards compliance doesn't sell products. Flashy screens do. A sad world..

Yep, that.

[EEVblog]

I think I'll seek out a 32A MIDA brand again, as the 15A version looked pretty good, and they are a serious dedicated EV charger company.

[Bryn]

If it doesn't meet basic safety standards, then it should not have been sold in the first place.

Safety comes before profit, that's my mantra.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I think I'll seek out a 32A MIDA brand again, as the 15A version looked pretty good, and they are a serious dedicated EV charger company.

This Zencar unit from Aliexpress is fairly OK