Can I use a 22kW public charger?

[Kenny H]

Hi

This may be a daft question but here goes.

I have a 2023 MG4 Trophy an I know the AC charging is limited to 7kW. I'm heading up to Orkney & Shetland in September and there's not a lot CCS rapid chargers about. If I were to plug into a 22kW type 2 charger with my normal single phase 7kW type 2 cable would it do any damage? I think the answer is no and it will charge at the usual 6.3kW charging rate I get on my home charger but I thought I'd ask the question.

Thanks in advance.

 

[LukeTim]

You can use a 22kW charger, yes, but as you said the car will only draw 7kW.

 

[Jomarkh]

If you find a 11kW EVSE then you will only get 3.3kW with your single phase 32A cable.

 

[Kenny H]

Thanks both that's great.

 

[Kenny H]

If you find a 11kW EVSE then you will only get 3.3kW with your single phase 32A cable.

Hi

I was thinking about your reply, I have two questions:

1. If I happened to have one of the three phase type 2 cables would I get 7kW from the 11kW charger?

2. My understanding is that 7kW is the maximum AC charge rate I can receive is that correct?

Thanks

 

[Tuareg]

7kW from a 22kW charger.

 

[Jomarkh]

Hi

I was thinking about your reply, I have two questions:

1. If I happened to have one of the three phase type 2 cables would I get 7kw from the 11kw charger?

2. My understanding is that 7kw is the maximum AC charge rate I can receive is that correct?

Thanks

On a 11kw EVSE each phase is roughly 3kW so you single phase cable will only connect to one phase so 3.3kW.

 

[stevegus]

I have a 2023 SE LR. Its capable of 11kW as its not been downgraded like the later models.

If its plugged into a 22kW it charges at 11. If plugged into a 7kW it charges at 7.

The system knows what's coming in and selects accordingly.

 

[Kenny H]

On a 11kw EVSE each phase is roughly 3kW so you single phase cable will only connect to one phase so 3.3kW.

Thanks I understand that but if I were to purchase a 3 phase cable would I get 7kW from an 11kW "charger"?

 

[Jomarkh]

Thanks I understand that but if I were to purchase a 3 phase cable would I get 7kw from an 11kw charger?

Only if the car is three phase with the L2 and L3 pins populated

 

[Kenny H]

Ok thanks

 

[siteguru]

From a 3-phase charge point and using a 3-phase cable in a 3-phase-capable MG4 you'd get approaching 10kW charge rate.

 

[Kenny H]

From a 3-phase charge point and using a 3-phase cable in a 3-phase-capable MG4 you'd get approaching 10kW charge rate.

Thanks this is interesting. How can I find out if my 2023 MG4 Trophy is 3 phase capable?

 

[siteguru]

Look at the physical charge port ... a 3-phase-capable car will have metal-tipped pins in the L2 and L3 slots. If yours doesn't then your car has a 6.6kW onboard charger.

(Note: the places where you plug your car into are not chargers, if they're AC points, they're merely glorified power sources. The charger is built into the car. A rapid - DC - charger is a charger).

 

[Kenny H]

Look at the physical charge port ... a 3-phase-capable car will have metal-tipped pins in the L2 and L3 slots. If yours doesn't then your car has a 6.6kW onboard charger.

(Note: the places where you plug your car into are not chargers, if they're AC points, they're merely glorified power sources. The charger is built into the car. A rapid - DC - charger is a charger).

Thanks mine is 3 phase capable, see photo. I take your point about the terminology of power sources and chargers, my mistake.

 

[Jomarkh]

Looks like all pins are present.
You only need a 3 phase 16A cable as that is the most the car will use. They are a bit lighter than a 32A. If you use it on a 7kW EVSE you will only get 3.3kW.

 

[Coulomb]

If you use it on a 7kW EVSE you will only get 3.3kW.

Are you sure? Cars like Teslas and others will detect that there is only power on one phase, and will reconfigure the On Board Charger to draw 7kW from that phase. It takes some extra sensing and a relay to achieve that.

[ Edit: But as siteguru notes below, only if the cable is capable of 32 A, so an 11 kW cable would only provide 3.3 kW. My bad for omitting that. ]

In the situation of a 7kW car plugged into an 11kW EVSE, then only 3.3kW is possible, since the On Board Charger can only take power from one phase, and that phase's wiring can only safely provide 16A (3.3kW). But in the above situation, it's an 11kW car plugged into a 7kW EVSE.

 

[siteguru]

I think the comment was in respect of using a 3-phase 16A cable ... in which case ~3.3kW is correct.

Personally I'd get a 3-phase 32A cable (22kW) to cover all bases.