Another low-cost EV charger has been stopped at the UK border. A product safety report (PSD 2609-0021) from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) found that an EV charging cable with a wall-mounting power supply, listed online as a 32A 7 kW Type 2 charger, presented a serious risk of electric shock. The import was rejected at the border and destroyed, and the online listing was removed.
Key Takeaways
- OPSS report 2609-0021 found a serious shock risk in an online-sold EV charger.
- The earth conductor could disconnect before the live conductors.
- The unit failed the earth bond test and radio equipment rules.
- The import was rejected at the border and destroyed.
What Was Wrong
- Earth conductor length: the output cable’s earthing conductor was the same length as the live and neutral conductors. In a cable strain or drive-off, the earth could disconnect before the live conductors.
- Earth bond test: the product failed, indicating the protective earthing path may be inadequate.
- Radio equipment rules: it did not meet the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017.
- Action: notified by local authority Trading Standards; import rejected and destroyed.
Background
Earthing design is basic to EV charger safety. If the protective earth breaks first, metal parts can stay connected to the supply without protection, and anyone touching a live part could receive a shock. UK regulators have repeatedly flagged online-marketplace chargers that miss these fundamentals.
What It Means
Buyers, installers and distributors should source chargers with verifiable test reports, correct conductor design and traceable certification for the target market. Low prices online are not a substitute for compliance. EVDANCE has manufactured chargers since 2011 with a 3-year standard warranty; our EV-ACT3204PE 22 kW wallbox (RFID and app, CE) carries CE marking, and our EV-ACS3210E Type 2 portable charger is built to IP66. Distributors can review our distributor program.
Related Reading
- EV Charging News: Safety Gate Alert SR/02897/26 Flags Shock Risk in Imported EV Charger
- UKCA vs CE for EV Chargers Sold in Great Britain
- Portable EV Charger News: Why Extension Cords Are a Code Violation, Not a Workaround
