ClipperCreek FAQs

Q: What is a charging station (EVSE), and why is it required?

A: The technical name for these products is EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), commonly called a charging station or charging dock. These charging stations are built into the EV charging standard for electrical safety; first for the user, then the vehicle and then the power grid. The charging stations primary function is as electrical safety equipment. A standard home charging station, whether it is a Level 1 (120V) station or a Level 2 (240V) station, will provide pass through AC power to the vehicle for charging. The vehicle will convert this AC power to DC power and utilize that to recharge the batteries, the actual charger is on-board the vehicle. A charging station implements several layers of redundant safety features to protect the user from potential electrical hazards while connecting and disconnecting the station to the vehicle for charging.  Once connected to the vehicle the station will inform the vehicle that power is available and at what level. From that point the vehicle takes over, initiates and takes full control of the power transfer, unless an electrical fault occurs, in which case the station will stop the power transfer immediately.

Q: Which EV Charging Station should I buy?

A:  Our team has put their best recommendations for every plug-in vehicle one simple place. Please use our EVSE Selector Tool to see our recommended stations by Make and Model of every electric vehicle on the market today.

If size is a factor in your installation, reference our Size Comparison Chart for an easy visual.

Q: How do I determine which charging station (EVSE) will provide the fastest charge for my vehicle?

A: This will depend on what EV is being charged

• Different vehicles have different battery pack sizes, the battery pack size will determine the amount of energy stored in the vehicle.
• The next piece is the power going into the vehicle; different vehicles have different power acceptance rates. Charging stations are also available with various max power delivery ratings.
• If the charging station offers less power than what the vehicles maximum acceptance rate, the charging station would be the limiting factor in determining the charge time.
• If the vehicles acceptance rate is lower than the charging stations maximum output rate then the vehicle will be the limiting factor.
• To determine your estimated total charge time you would take you vehicle battery pack rating and divide it by whichever number is lower, the vehicles acceptance rate, or the stations output rate.
• Note: Most vehicles will provide this information through the dashboard interface once you plug into a charging station.
• For a list of vehicle charge battery pack sizes and charge times, you can check visit our EV Charging Times Charts or use our Charging Station Selector tool at the top of this page.

Q: Will using a station with higher output current rating than my vehicle can accept damage my vehicle?

A: No, using a higher amperage station will pose no harm to the vehicle. ClipperCreek charging stations are a pass through, electrical safety appliance. The EV is in complete control of the charge and will only take in what power it can accept and no more. The actual charging takes place on the vehicle. Our units will supply AC power to the vehicle and the vehicles onboard charger will convert the AC power to DC power and charge the vehicle’s batteries.

• EX: Chevy Volt can take in 3.3kW for charging and the HCS-40 can deliver up to 7.7kW. When an HCS-40 is plugged into the Volt the station will “tell” the Volt how much power is available through the stations pilot communication signal. From that point the vehicle will take over, activate the station and take whatever power it wants, up to the limit established by the station.

Some of our customers purchase 240V charging stations that can offer a higher power level than their current vehicle can accept to future proof their installation.

Q: What’s the difference between UL and ETL listing?

A: UL and ETL are both what is called Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL). NRTL’s are in place to provide independent safety and quality certifications on products, for electrical appliances their certification is typically required (especially 240V appliances). UL develops the testing standards and tests to them, ETL tests to UL standards. In order for an inspector to sign off on permitted installation for an EVSE the National Electric Code requires that the EVSE be NRTL listed (in the US that is ETL or UL).  ClipperCreek does use both laboratories; the selection of which laboratory depends on which company provides the best value for their service that we can then in turn pass on to our customers.

Learn more about safety certification in our video: Charging Station Buyer’s Guide: Staying Safe

Q: Are there any tax incentives or rebates for installing a ClipperCreek Level 2 EVSE?

A: There are many programs around that country that provide incentives for installing a Level 2 EVSE. We keep a page on our blog updated with the federal state and utility incentives that we know about: EVSE Rebates and Tax Credits by State.

We recommend you contact your local utility or check the US Department of Energy Laws website for any local incentives that may be available for installing a Level 2 EVSE.

Q: How can I find places to charge in public?

A:  You can visit websites such as Plugshare or Google Maps which allow you to search by address, city, or zip code to find stations in your area. Google Maps typically show networked charging stations, but the community on Plugshare incorporates both. The websites are also available as apps that you can download to your smartphone for a convenient way to search for stations when away from your computer. 

EVmatch is a peer-to-peer network for electric vehicle (EV) charging where home charging station owners rent their stations to other EV drivers. Any EV driver can reserve and pay for use of an EVmatch charging station in advance to know exactly when and where they’ll charge next. EVmatch stations include Level 1 (110V) and Level 2 (240V) charging stations, and have options for all vehicle types including Tesla. EVmatch operates across Southern California and is quickly expanding across the West Coast of the United States.

Q: Why purchase a ClipperCreek Level 2 Charging Station (EVSE)?

A: ClipperCreek 240V EV charging stations or EVSEs are the gold standard in the industry. Our products surpass all others in not only durability and longevity, but in overall value. With our fully sealed NEMA 4 enclosures you can rest assured that all the components inside your station are protected. ClipperCreek also offers a no strings attached 3 year warranty for our HCS, LCS, PCS, ACS, and ECS series products. At ClipperCreek we proudly manufacture our products in Auburn, CA USA and with our highly competitive pricing you can be certain you are receiving the best value possible.

Q: How can I tell the size of your stations?

A: The dimensions of each of our stations are located in the Specifications in each product on the ClipperCreek Store.  We have also created a chart that shows each of our popular models next to common household items to give you a better visual. Click to see our visual comparison.

Q: What length charging cable should I get?

A: As long as possible! (25 feet is the max length allowed by the National Electric Code.

• ClipperCreek offers a 25 foot charging cable on our products as a standard option, there is no premium charged for having the 25 foot cable.
• 25 feet is the longest output cable length that can be provided on an EV charging station based on National Electric Code (section 625) requirements.
• Getting the longest cord length possible can save on installation expense by allowing the station to be installed closer to the service panel.
• Getting the longest cord length possible also gives users added operational flexibility for the station.

Watch our fun video for more information about the length of cable you should look for when purchasing an EV charging station: Charging Station Buyer’s Guide: Cable Length

Q: How much energy does the ClipperCreek charging station draw when it is powered, but not charging my vehicle?

A: ClipperCreek products have very minimal standby power consumption; the standby power draw on the HCS and LCS charging stations is approximately 2 watts. For comparison, leaving an HCS-40 powered up for about 2 months (50 days) would use the same amount of power as leaving a 100 watt light bulb on for 24 hours (a very small amount). ClipperCreek provides the stations without a power switch because the stations standby power consumption is so low and a switch can be forgotten (accidentally not turned on). Some customers will add a timer or standard in-line switch on their own to turn power off to the station to avoid the power draw, as this is not an issue for the station, but as stated before the power consumption is very minimal.

Q: Will ClipperCreek charging stations work with the vehicle’s onboard timer?

A: Yes, ClipperCreek charging stations are a pass through for electricity and will not supply power to the vehicle unless the vehicle is requesting a charge. The vehicle is in complete control of the charge and if a timer is set within the vehicle the station will not supply power to the vehicle until the vehicle requests a charge at the set time. 

For more information on charging times, please see our EV Charging Times Charts.

Q: Can I attach a plug to a ClipperCreek hardwired station?

A: It is not recommended to add a plug to our hardwired units. Our hardwired units were not designed to have a plug added to them and adding a plug may compromise the water tightness of the unit, which may void the warranty. ClipperCreek offers plug-in versions of the LCS-20, LCS-25, LCS-30, HCS-40, and HCS-50.

Q: What different 240V plug types are available with your stations?

A: The LCS-20P, LCS-25P, and LCS-30P models are offered with the following plugs:

NEMA 14-30 (30A plug)

• Common for electric dryers
• Installed onto a dedicated 30A circuit to match the rating of the plug

The HCS-40P and HCS-50P models are offered with the following plugs:

NEMA 14-50 (50A plug)

• Common for electric ovens and is often found in RV parks and campground
• Installed onto a dedicated 50A circuit to match the rating of the plug
• Common for electric ovens and is often found in RV parks and campground
• Installed onto a dedicated 50A circuit to match the rating of the plug

NEMA 6-50 (50A plug)

• Common for welders or plasma cutters
•  Installed onto a dedicated 50A circuit to match the rating of the plug
• Common for welders or plasma cutters
•  Installed onto a dedicated 50A circuit to match the rating of the plug

NOTE: The NEMA 14-30 is not offered with the HCS-40P or HCS-50P because the HCS-40P can deliver up to 32A and the HCS-50P can deliver up to 40A, while the NEMA 14-30 plug is rated for up to 30A only. For a visual reference on NEMA plug types, please visit our blog page: What Different Plug Types are Available on EV Charging Stations?

Q: Can I charge my electric vehicle with a ClipperCreek EVSE when it is raining or snowing?

A: Yes, the charging head on ClipperCreek electric vehicle charge stations are designed to drain water and the inlet on your vehicle is designed to drain water as well. Once the charging head is connected into your vehicles inlet, a water tight seal will be formed.

For more information about charging outdoors, watch our short video: Charging Station Buyer’s Guide: Charging Outdoors.

Q: What type of warranty is offered?

A: ClipperCreek offers a three year manufacturer warranty on all HCS, LCS, ECS, ACS, and PCS Series products and a one year manufacturer warranty on all of our CS Series products. ClipperCreek does not require you use any specific electrician for installation; any licensed electrician can install our products. The warranty covers parts and factory labor.

Fill out a warranty registration form here. Click here to find a list of electricians located near you.

Q: What is ClipperCreek’s return policy?

A: Our return policy is all sales are final, you have up to 30 days to return the unit and all returns must be pre-approved by ClipperCreek. All returns are subject to up to a 20% restocking fee, depending on the condition of the unit when returned the restocking fee may be reduced. We do not refund shipping. For more information on our policies, please refer to our Store Policies Page.

Q: Upon a closer look I saw the Prop 65 cancer warning for this EV charger. Can you elaborate on this? Is this exposure to carbon black caused by ongoing use of the product or just when installing? 

A: Carbon black is utilized as a coloring agent for the black plastic utilized on the cable grips that secure the output and input cables into the EVSE. We apply the warning out of an abundance of caution because the prop 65 standard requires the warning if someone could possibly be exposed. The potential risk, is a risk of inhalation, however in its solid form, there is no risk of inhalation. For more information, please see ClipperCreek’s Prop 65 Warning.

Q: What does the Power Fault light mean?

A: Please refer to our Tech Support page or call ClipperCreek for assistance at 877-694-4194.

Q: Why can’t there be a standard charge port for all vehicles? I can’t charge a Nissan LEAF at a Tesla charging station. Or vice versa. When I want to fill up my Ford I go to the same type of pump that I fill up a Chevy.

A: The North American standard for Level 1 (120V) and Level 2 (240V) charging is the SAE J1772™ connector. The only electric vehicles that do not use the SAE J1772 connector are Tesla™ vehicles, however they can use an SAE J1772/Tesla adapter that comes with the vehicle to charge at a unit with the SAE J1772 connector. The Tesla charging stations are designed to charge a Tesla vehicle only.

There are also different connectors for DC Fast Charging which include the SAE Combo Connector, CHAdeMO connector, and the Tesla connector. There is not currently a set standard for the fast charging connectors

ClipperCreek offers a variety of mounting solutions to adapt to different kinds of electric vehicles, including Teslas.

Q: Is there a standard connector for all plug-in vehicles?

A: Yes, the industry standard connector in North America is the SAE J1772™ connector and all of ClipperCreek’s EVSEs come standard with this type of connector.  The SAE  J1772 standard also covers the communication protocol used by the vehicle and charging station.  The SAE  J1772 standard connector is used for Level 1 (120V) and Level 2 (240V) charging. One caveat is that one Automaker, Tesla™, uses its own proprietary connection interface.  The Tesla vehicles still utilize the SAE  J1772 communications protocol, so Tesla vehicle owners can utilize standard SAE J1772 charging stations by utilizing a Tesla provided connector adapter.

ClipperCreek provides multiple EVSE accessories, including our own SAE J1772 Connector Holster with a wall mount.

Q: What is the difference between a hardwired installation and a plug-in installation?

A: Some of the ClipperCreek charging stations are offered for hardwired installation and others for plug-in installation. The hardwired stations will have three feet of flexible conduit coming from the top or bottom (depending on the model) of the station with the service wires sticking out of the conduit an additional six inches or so for easy installation into a junction box. With a hardwired station the installation is more permanent, the station can still be moved, but you would need an electrician to come out to uninstall the station and then reinstall the station at your new location. ClipperCreek hardwired stations are rated for indoor or outdoor installation.

With a ClipperCreek plug-in unit the station will have a high quality over molded 240V plug attached instead of the flexible conduit. The plug length is 12 inches, the longest length allowed per National Electric Code, and this includes the plug itself in the measurement. There is no standard 240V plug, which is why ClipperCreek offers different types of 240V plugs with our charging stations. For a plug-in installation the electrician would install the matching 240V receptacle to fit the plug type that was ordered with the station. Once the receptacle is installed, simply mount the station to the wall and plug-in. Some customers already have a 240V receptacle installed in their home and will order the unit with the corresponding plug. This will make the installation cost virtually $0 as you would only have to mount the station and plug-in. If you have a 240V plug, but are unsure if ClipperCreek carries the matching plug type, please call us at (877) 694-4194 or email us at information-auburn@enphaseenergy.com. Our customer service representatives can help determine what type of receptacle you have and what products would be appropriate.

ClipperCreek made a short video to help you decide whether a hardwired or plug in station is most practical for you: Charging Station Buyer’s Guide: Hardwired or Plug-in?

Q: If I install an indoor rated ClipperCreek 240V charging station can I charge my vehicle outdoors?

A: Yes, many customers have room to install their 240V EV charging station in their garage, but do not have room for the vehicle itself. Customers will install the station inside their garage and run the charging cable outside to charge the vehicle. If you plan to utilize the station in this fashion we do recommend not closing the garage door all the way down on the charging cable, but leave a small gap to ensure the longevity of the cable. Also, a wall mount connector holster can be installed outdoors to provide a place to store the connector head when not in use with the vehicle. The holster provides a secure place to store the connector head and provides extra protection from the elements.

Watch our video on our blog Charging Station Buyer’s Guide: Charging Outdoors for additional information.

Q: Can I install a ClipperCreek 240V charging outdoors?

A: For outdoor installations we recommend installing a hardwired 240V EV charging station. All ClipperCreek charging stations have a fully sealed NEMA 4 enclosure that provides superior protection to the components inside the station from outdoor elements. The NEMA 4 enclosure ensures the components inside the unit are protected from the elements. We recommend a hardwired unit for an outdoor installation as it provides better weather protection for the connection to power. If you install the plug-in unit outdoors we would recommend installing a watertight cover over the plug and outlet combination.

We also recommend checking with a licensed electrician to ensure installing a 240V plug-in charging station outdoors meets your local codes. There was a change in the National Electric Code requirements at the beginning of 2017 that allowed plug-in 240V charging stations to be installed outdoors, however sometimes local codes can vary.

Also, an optional wall mount connector holster can in installed indoors or outdoors. The optional holster provides a secure place to store the connector head and provides extra protection from the elements.

Watch our short video Charging Station Buyer’s Guide: Charging Outdoors and scroll up on the page for additional information on outdoor installations.

Q: Does ClipperCreek offer an EVSE that can plug into a NEMA 10-30 receptacle?

A. ClipperCreek does not manufacture any stations with the NEMA 10-30 plug as the corresponding receptacle (outlet) for this plug type is typically wired with a neutral wire as opposed to an earth ground and all of our models require an earth ground connection in order to operate properly. Additionally, when charging a vehicle the ground is passed through to the vehicle from the station for safety earth grounding during charging. If a neutral is used instead of a ground the neutral could generate a charge on the vehicle chassis, creating a potential safety hazard upon contact with the vehicle during or after charging. For these safety reasons we do not offer an EVSE with the NEMA 10-30 plug and it would not be advised to utilize any of our EVSEs with a NEMA 10-30 adapter. If you have a NEMA 10-30 receptacle you would like to use for a ClipperCreek EVSE it would be recommended to have an electrician re-purpose the NEMA 10-30 receptacle into a NEMA 14-30 receptacle.

For more information on NEMA plugs and charging stations, please visit our blog page explaining Different Plug Types for EV Charging Stations.

Q: I have a 220 outlet in my laundry room. My garage is on the other side of the wall. Can I have an electrician move the outlet to my garage and use it for my Chevy Volt?

A: An electrician should be able to use your existing wiring to move the outlet into your garage, however it would be best to speak to a licensed electrician about moving the outlet and all that is involved. You would want to be sure you have a 4 prong dryer outlet, called the NEMA 14-30 outlet, as we offer the NEMA 14-30 plug with our plug-in LCS models. If you have a 3 prong dryer outlet, called the NEMA 10-30 outlet, you will likely need some rewiring done as the older style dryer outlet does not utilize a ground wire. All of our models require an earth ground connection in order to operate properly. Additionally, when charging a vehicle the ground is passed through to the vehicle from the station for safety earth grounding during charging. If a neutral is used instead of a ground the neutral could generate a charge on the vehicle chassis, creating a potential safety hazard upon contact with the vehicle during or after charging.

Visit our EVSE Installers Tool to find an experienced EVSE electrician located near you.

Q: I see lots of amp options for the level 2 chargers. The higher amp chargers cost more than the lower amp ones, but don’t charge any quicker. Is there a benefit to having the higher amp chargers?

A: All EVs have an acceptance rate and that is the fastest they will charge; the acceptance rate varies by vehicle and that the ideal station will be matching that acceptance rate. If your current vehicle has a relatively slow acceptance rate, you can consider future-proofing. Our EVSE selector tool will tell you the acceptance rate, match your vehicle with a charging station, and also recommend a faster one for future-proofing.

Most models of the Chevy Volt are limited to charging at 15A for charging so you would be able to use our LCS-20P model and receive the fastest charge. With the new 2019 Volt there is an option for an upgraded charge package that would allow the vehicle to charge at about 30A. For the Volt with an upgraded charge package a higher power unit, like our HCS-40, would provide a faster charge. If your Volt is limited to the 15A for charging a higher power unit will not charge the vehicle any faster, however having the higher power model installed would allow you to be ready for a vehicle you purchase in the future that may take in more power. We refer to this as future proofing your installation.

Feel free to ask us more questions you may have about EVSE: Click here to contact one of our product specialists.