Type 2 Tethered Cables, 5m and 10m, 32A

Two reasons people replace a tethered lead

The first is damage. A lead that lives on the wall gets shut in doors, run over and chewed by the occasional dog, and a cut sheath is not something to leave in service. The second is length, where the factory lead was specified for a showroom rather than your parking space.

Either way this is the part that goes back in: 32A cable with a moulded Type 2 head, in five or ten metres. The charge point end is bare for termination inside the unit.

Before you order

Two checks. First, that your charge point is designed to have its lead replaced, because a few models are sealed and some warranties object. Second, the current rating of the unit, since a 7 kW box wants the 32A cable while an old 3.6 kW unit does not need it. Your installer can confirm both in a phone call.

Fitting is electrician work. The lead terminates on the supply side inside the enclosure, so it is not a job to attempt with the cover off and the power on.

What it delivers once fitted

Thirty two amps on a single phase supply is 7.4 kW, and that is the most a standard British home can pass to a car. Ten metres of correctly sized conductor carries it with no practical loss.

Those times come from dividing the pack by the delivered power and adding 13 per cent for losses, then rounding to the quarter hour. Range added per hour assumes a year round 3.5 miles per kWh rather than a best case figure.

How it is built

IEC 62196-2 construction, CE marked, IP55 sealed and tested from -30C through to +50C. Two year manufacturer's warranty. Delivery is free and next working day, and returns are open for 30 days.

See also: 15m tethered cable, Type 2 to Type 2 cable and extension cable.

Tethered lead questions

Can a tethered charging cable be replaced?

On most units, yes. The lead is terminated inside the charge point and a qualified electrician can fit a new one. A minority of chargers are sealed or treat the lead as non serviceable, so check the manual or ask your installer before ordering.

Should I choose 5m or 10m?

Measure from the charge point to the car inlet as the car actually sits, then add slack. Five metres suits a unit fitted close to the parking space, ten covers the length of the car and back. Going longer than you need means more cable to hang on the wall every night.

Is a tethered lead better than a socketed charger?

It is more convenient day to day, since there is nothing to fetch from the boot. A socketed unit is more flexible, because the cable can be swapped or upgraded without touching the installation. Both charge at the same rate.

What current rating do I need?

Match the charge point. A 7 kW unit is 32A and needs the 32A lead. An older 3.6 kW unit is 16A, where a 32A lead is harmless but unnecessary. Never fit a lead rated below the unit.