Safety considerations for the pre ETL certified Splitter Switch

Thanks for your question and interest in Splitvolt products.  Splitvolt has received ETL safety certification for their splitter switch. Such certification and the applicable models are explained here.

 

Regarding safety of the version before ETL certification, due to its design, the Splitvolt Splitter Switch is safer than other such products in the market today--regardless of a certification filing status.  

 

There are many reasons for this starting with having a highly experienced US-based company/engineering team, high quality design and parts--but it is also important having a real-time status display to see exactly what the voltage, amps/current and so forth is at any point in time.  

 

In addition to these, there are TWO additional KEY SAFETY advantages of the Splitvolt Splitter Switch: The first is automatic full-power switching to either the Dryer OR the EV sockets on the device--not allowing both to run simultaneously since this could be unsafe and overload your existing home wiring and/or breaker.   

 

The second, and possibly single-most KEY safety factor (and advantage unique to Splitvolt) is that we have an internal 25Amp thermomagnetic circuit breaker for overcurrent and short circuit protection.  This means that even if someone's EV charger is configured wrong, it  cannot exceed the maximum NEC safe-charging rate for EVs for a standard 30amp dryer circuit. (It is common for consumers to accidentally pull more power than is safe from their existing 240v socket.)

 

The national electrical code, NEC, says you should not charge an EV above 80% of a circuit's rating, so a standard 30amp circuit would be 24amps.  Our product automatically enforces this, and trips power off BEFORE any risk of wiring overheating or panel breaker popping. (You do NOT want to depend upon your breaker panel for protection because that is set for 30amps, which is too high according to the NEC.)   

 

As mentioned above, not having an internal circuit breaker at all can be highly unsafe, but likewise it could be equally unsafe if a device did have an internal circuit breaker but one that is set too high. So having a 28 or 32Amp internal breaker, for example, would be of no use in protecting your wiring at all because it still allows too much current for your existing home wiring.

 

Lastly, we fully stand behind our products and are happy to resolve any issues that arises.  If you have any safety or related concerns or just have additional technical questions please contact us directly at www.splitvolt.com/help.