RECHARGE RESCUE CONNECTICUT: POORLY DONE EV CHARGER INSTALLATION CAUSES FIRE

EV Channels Review

This episode of Recharge Rescue investigates a near-disastrous fire caused by an improperly installed 100-amp circuit feeding a 48-amp Charge Point Home Flex EV charger in Middletown, Connecticut. The homeowner, Matt, narrowly averted a major incident thanks to his quick actions with a fire extinguisher. The core issue identified was the use of undersized 8-gauge wire instead of the required 6-gauge wire, compounded by an over-torqued connection, leading to a catastrophic failure within three weeks of installation. Even more concerning, the faulty installation had passed inspection. The repair involved replacing the damaged junction box, upgrading to proper 6-gauge wiring, installing a 60-amp breaker, and crucially, fitting an Emporia Pro charger with built-in load management. This addition was necessary because the home's 200-amp service was significantly overloaded with two EV chargers and other high-demand appliances, a critical load calculation oversight by previous contractors. The video emphasizes the critical importance of hiring electricians specializing in EV charging installations due to the unique, continuous high-amperage demands that differ from traditional household electrical loads.