Re: Article 625 and connectors?

["Bill Dube'" <bdube@BOULDER.NIST.GOV>]

>I still don't see why you can't use a big plug for EVs
>-D. Russell Graves
>http://www.concentric.net/~russ239
>

"625-16 Means of Coupling. The means of coupling to the vehicle shall be
either conductive or inductive. Attachment plugs,cord connectors, and inlets
shall be listed or labeled for the purpose."

        "The purpose" is EV charging. Ordinary NEMA plugs etc are not listed
for this purpose.

"625-9 (a) Polarization. The electric vehicle connectors shall be polarized
and shall have a configuration that is non-interchangable with recepticles
in other electrical systems on the premises."

        The only "non-interchangable" connectors are non-NEMA connectors. It
has to be different from any other connector. It's worded cleverly, so as to
seem innocuous, but it very effectively bans any previously existing connector.

"625-9 (b) Construction and installation.  The electric vehicle connectors
shall be constructed and installed so as to guard against inadvertant
contact by persons with parts made live from the electric vehicle supply
equipment or the electric vehicle batteries."

        Again, it seems reasonable, but no such connectors existed
previously. Also, the phrase "parts made live" sounds like "live parts" but
is quite different. The whole circuit, including the connector parts, are
required to be DEAD by another section of 625 before the connector comes
apart. The connector is thus required to protect you from touching dead
parts (protected by GFCI even if they were somehow to become live.)

        This section, through roundabout means, requires that there be no
exposed contacts, dead or live. This effectively prohibits the use of an
ordinary NEMA connector. No "live parts" are exposed in a properly installed
NEMA connector however, "parts MADE live" are exposed. They aren't live WHEN
they are exposed, but that doesn't matter. The clever wording doesn't allow
a completely safe, inexpensive, readily-available plug. (Except at 120
volts, 20 amps.)

        Article 625 is written so that a casual reader easily misses the
very restrictive nature of the regulations.
             _   /|
             \'o.O'              Bill Dube'
           =(___)=           bdube@boulder.nist.gov
              U

Re: Article 625 and connectors?