Can 2 15A outlets be tapped together in a Y-connector so that a 20A battery charger can work?

Question

Can 2 15A outlets be tapped together in a Y-connector so that a 20A battery charger can work?

We have an electric vehicle with a ZIVAN NG3 battery charger that requires 18-22 amps input. However, in Canada, most outlets are only 15A (15 amps.) Can a Y-connected extension cord, plugged into two electric outlets, be used to power the battery charger?

Answer 1

DO NO TIE TWO OUTLETS TOGETHER! If you were unlucky enough to pick outlets that were on opposite phase legs, you'd have 240V! Very bad idea.

What kind of plug is on the cord from the battery charger? It it's a standard, two, parallel flat blades/one round ground type, it is a 15-amp plug. Duty cycle of the load has a large bearing on how adequate the 15A supply will be. If there is a momentary higher surge that tapers of in a reasonable amount of time, the 15A circuit should be fine.

If the plug has two flat blades at right angles to each other, and one round ground pin, it IS a 20-amp plug. If that's the case, you need to think about adding a dedicated 20-amp circuit for you vehicle charger.

The charger should not have a plug that is inadequate for the load it will draw. If it is CSA approved, it should be OK.

Answer 2

Not a good idea to play around with this... an extension cord is just that; it extends the power to where you want it not doubling amperage etc.
Electricity is a demand thing... plug in the charger, if it trips the breaker, re-set it, call an electrician and have him run you a special, separate 30 amp circuit (larger wire etc.) and away you go... make sure IF you get the new circuit, you also get a 30 amp extension cord.

Answer 3

No do not try this as the wiring may not support the amp draw.14 ga.wire is for up to 15 amp.You need at least 12ga wire for 20 amp.And combining two outlets dose not accomplish this.I suggest running a separate wire to a dedicated breaker for this.Use a 20 amp breaker 12 ga wire and a receptacle rated for 20 amp.Anything else and you will be taking a chance of having a fire.Best left to a pro.Good luck

Answer 4

I think you are misunderstanding what the term "20-amp charger" means.

I can hardly imagine that a battery charger requires 20 amps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If that was the case, in the U.S. you would be using 2400 watts to charge a battery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More importantly, what battery needs 2400 watts to recharge it?

The key to your problem is this ---->

Your charger is likely putting out 20 amps of 12 volt (not 120 volt) current. So, your charger will likely only be using about 2 amps of 120 volt electricity.

So, you should be able to plug the charger into your outlets and have no problem what so ever.

Answer 5

if you charger draws between 18 and 22 amps you will need a 25 amp circuit at the least. you will be better off it you go ahead and either put one in yourself or have an electrician do it for you, it`s not prudent to try to "y" together two 15 amp circuits.

Answer 6

No, by connecting two 15A circuits together from the same circuit will only give you 15amps. You need to have a separate 20amp circuit to supply your battery charger.

Answer 7

NO!!! your 20 amp charger should work on a 15 amp circuit... is it blowing the breaker?

Answer 8

You would still have 30 amps going through the house wiring. I think it would depend on what rating the circuit breaker is. I think you could tie them together if they were on different circuits. In other words, going through two 15A breakers.

Answer 9

no. its dangerous to do this because if something goes wrong, you could destroy all the wiring in your house, and all electronics plugged into the socket will be fried. find an outlet that is already 20, and just use that. besides, i don't think your y connector will up amerage anyway. just voltage.

Answer 10

= -2a^2/3a^2 * 20a/15a^3 (after cutting) = -2/3a * 20/15a = -8/9a^2 Ans....