Are you having the problem of owning a charging cable that is too short and doesn't reach your vehicle to the charging point? You may need to consider the use of extension cords to charge your car. But is it safe to use an extension cord and charge your EV? Can it damage your EV and electrical installation? Let's find out in this article.

Can you use extension cable?

In EV charging, extension cords are similar to charging cables but with a different configuration. An extension lead can be used to charge an electric car as long as the socket and extension lead is safe to use. However, there are some safety factors that you should consider. 

How to choose an extension cable?

• Cable Length Conductor

Choose a cord that is only as long as necessary to reach your car, avoiding extra slack. Excessively long cords create power loss and may overheat if they're coiled up. When you select a charging cable with the right length, you can charge without damaging your charging equipment and electrical installation.

• Thickness

Specify at least 2.5mm² flexible cable for extension cable charging. A charging cable up to 16A requires a thickness of 2.5mm²  and a charging cable up to 32A requires conductors of 6mm². A thicker wire can carry more current without overheating and becoming a fire risk.

• Quality

Choose a high-quality extension cord with robust connectors and weather-resistant insulation, specifically designed for outdoor or heavy-duty applications. Make sure the extension cable is waterproof. Chances are that the plugs will be outside, so make sure the extension cable has a good IP rating.

• Safety Features

Apply some preservatives to prevent corrosion. Make sure you have a well-insulated cable that is sturdy and flexible to properly protect the wires in the cable. Also, To prevent your circuit breaker or fuse from overheating and potential fire hazards, your extension cable needs to have overcurrent protection.