You never extend a charging cable
Between a charging station and your car there's a charging cable with a charging plug at each end. No extension belongs in between: the charging station and the car monitor the connection together, and an adapter piece in between isn't safe. If the cable is too short, choose a longer charging cable, up to 20 metres.
A portable charger: only if it's allowed
You plug a portable charger into a wall socket. An extension cable can go between the socket and the charger, but only if your charger's manual allows it; many manufacturers advise against it. A portable charger draws a lot of current for hours, and every extra connection is a place where heat can build up.
What should you watch out for?
- One cable, not two in a row and no power strip.
- Heavy-duty cores: at least 3×2.5 mm². A regular 1.5 mm² extension lead gets too warm during hours of charging.
- As short as possible and fully unwound. A coiled cable reel can get hot.
- Keep the coupling dry and off the ground.
- Charge on a lower setting, for example 10A, and feel the plugs after half an hour. Lukewarm is normal; hot is not.
Our extension cables have 3×2.5 mm² cores, from 5 to 30 metres, and also for three-phase (CEE). Don't use the multi-socket versions to charge your car.
Rather avoid an extension cable?
If your car is often far from the socket, a longer solution is often better: a portable charger with a longer cable, or a charging station on a mounting post close to your parking spot. Also read Charging your car from a wall socket: is it safe?