Home charging and permits for install?

[eye3]

Can anyone recommend a charger from lowes where I can zero percent the purchase?

Also I live in VA (loudoun county) - do I need to pull permits to add a level 2 charger to my garage? my main panel is in my garage.

Ive also read that some counties want hardwired and not portable (NEMA 14-50?) plug installs - how can I find out what my county requires? google hasn't helped really.

 

[jadnashuanh]

Can't help with zero percent buy options, but in any place in the USA that I'm aware of, technically, you need a building permit to do any add-on wiring like to install an EVSE. Now, there certainly are people that install things without one, but that can be a problem, not with it working, but if there's a problem or inspection later on, or a neighbor that calls the inspector on you!

One thing to keep in mind is that when a receptacle is involved, you typically need to run a heavier (therefore, more expensive) branch circuit to power it. It depends on the size of the unit. A 30/32A unit would require only a 40A circuit if hard-wired, but a 50A circuit if there's a receptacle involved since there are no 40A rated plugs, so you need a 50A one. For an appliance that could run as long as an EVSE, code requires the circuit to be limited to no more than 80%, so that 32A EVSE would require a 40A circuit. With a 50A receptacle, you could plug in an EVSE as big as 40A to maintain the 80% rule.

 

[Schnort]

but in any place in the USA that I'm aware of, technically, you need a building permit to do any add-on wiring like to install an EVSE

This isn't true.

My EVSE was installed without any permit requirement (I live outside the city limits) and was approved by the local utility for rebate. They required it be installed by a licensed contractor, but no permit was required by the county to add to the utility panel and run the wire to the new outlets.

It all depends on the jurisdiction.