- Purpose: GFCIs monitor the current on "hot" and "neutral" wires and interrupt the circuit if there are discrepancies suggesting a grounding issue, such as through a person.
- Standard Limits: In North America, GFCIs trip at 5 milliamps (mA), while in Europe, they trip at 30 mA. Even moisture could cause trips, which disrupt circuits unexpectedly.
- Safety Margin: The 5 mA limit is suitable for 120-volt outlets, providing a safeguard to protect against shocks from faulty consumer equipment.
- Nuisance Trips: Larger equipment on 240-volt outlets, which experiences significant current variations, can trigger unnecessary trips. Frequent trips can hinder the convenience and functionality of EV charging.
- Hard-Wired Recommendation: Extending GFCI to hard-wired chargers at 5 mA is impractical since it affects the most common Level 2 chargers that draw more power than simple 120-volt setups.
- Internal Protection: EV chargers already have GFCI protection, generally tripping between 15-20 mA. This reduces the necessity for an additional 5 mA limit on the supply side.
- By February, stakeholders such as SAE and OEMs must voice their concerns to influence the March review process and prevent implementing the problematic code.
- A similar GFCI mandate created issues for HVAC units in 2005, leading to rampant erroneous trips and eventual removal in some states.
While direct involvement is limited, stakeholders must persuade the NFPA to consider the broader implications. Public awareness and industry advocacy could help avert potential setbacks.
The upcoming NFPA 70 2026 poses challenges for EV charging due to its proposed GFCI requirements. Stakeholders are urged to act quickly to influence the code review process and prevent potential widespread complications for EV owners and charging infrastructure.
