EVSE Australia Mini Portable Charger (15A)
Type 28/12/15 A3.45 kW~19 km/h6 mIP66
For a dedicated 15 A outlet where you park: no leads, no adapters, faster charging.
$239Coming soon · free shipping · 2-year warranty
DetailsNo. Don't charge an EV through an extension lead, powerboard, double adapter or a 15A-to-10A adapter. They aren't built to carry close to 10 A for hours, the extra connections heat up, and adapters defeat the plug design that stops outlets being overloaded. Plug the charger straight into the wall, or move the outlet closer with an electrician.
- Extension leads: no. Long hours at high current heat the lead and its connections.
- Powerboards and double adapters: no. They're designed for several small loads, not one big continuous one.
- 15A-to-10A adapters: never. They defeat the larger earth pin that keeps 15 A loads off 10 A outlets.
- Instead: park closer, choose a charger with a longer cable, or have an outlet installed where you park. The SEVR 10A portable charger has a 4.5 m cable.
The reasons
Why extension leads and adapters are a bad idea
- Continuous load. An EV draws near its full rating for hours. Household leads are rated for short or intermittent use at that current.
- More connections, more heat. Every plug-to-socket joint adds resistance. Under sustained load those joints are where things melt.
- Coiled cable. A lead left on its reel can't shed heat and can overheat even within its rating.
- The charger can't see it. The charger's safety electronics protect its own cable, not a lead you've added upstream.
- Warranty and insurance. Charger manuals commonly prohibit extension leads, which can void the warranty and complicate a claim.
What to do instead
Five better options
- Park closer so the charger reaches the outlet directly.
- Use a charger with a longer cable between the box and the car.
- Have an outlet installed where you park. Make it a dedicated 15 A outlet and you can charge about 50% faster too.
- Use the right plug for the outlet. A genuine 10 A charger for 10 A points; a 15 A charger only on 15 A outlets.
- Away from home? See the road-trip guide for caravan parks and holiday houses.
Our pick
Chargers we recommend
SEVR EV Portable Charger (10A)
Type 210 A max2.3 kW~13 km/h4.5 mIP66
Genuine 10 A plug with a 4.5 m cable. Plug straight into the wall.
$183.99Lowest price in Australia · free shipping · 3-year warranty
Add to cartQuestions
Frequently asked
Can I use an extension cord to charge my electric car?
No. Extension leads aren't designed for hours of near-full current, and the extra connections can overheat. Plug the charger straight into the wall or have an outlet installed closer to where you park.
Is it OK to use a heavy-duty extension lead for EV charging?
It's still not recommended. Even heavy-duty leads add connections that heat under continuous load, and charger manuals commonly prohibit them.
Can I plug my EV charger into a powerboard?
No. Powerboards are for several small loads, not one large continuous load. Use a wall outlet directly.
Can I use a 15A to 10A adapter for my EV charger?
No. The adapter defeats the larger earth pin on 15 A plugs, which exists to stop a 15 A load going into a 10 A outlet. Use a charger with a genuine 10 A plug.
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