So, what you're saying is that you intend to use one single 50 amp circuit to drive 3 50 amp loads?

I had a similar thought, the scenario being that I would only use one at a time. Obviously it would be better to have three circuits, each on it's own breaker, and run two additional lines to the attic and over to the garage.

Run three circuits. Barring something that prevents more than one use at a time will overload the circuit.

Thank you for the advice!

There are devices that allow alternate switching of loads, but you'd probably spend more for the device and the extra wire than it's worth.

Oh.... i found the unexpected problem. There is no empty slot for new 50amp circuit breaker!

Can you please find the wire in Home Depot.com to use for the ev charger? I searched #6 awg but seems not right

No offense, but have you ever done electrical work before? This seems like it isn't a good place to start.

I've never seen a panel like that (but I'm not a pro). Can you even get new breakers for that? What's your plan right now? You seem to have just skipped over the breaker issue and have moved on to trying to find the right cable.

What's the capacity of your panel? Can you even add these additional big power draws without overloading the panel?

I highly suggest that you hire an electrician to evaluate your options.

You have an old "Pushmatic" type panel. You may find it difficult to find new breakers for it. You may have to bite the bullet and get a new main service panel and backfeed the old panel. Then you would have room for lots of breakers. Not a DIY project.

Thanks Greg and Seabornman.
Bottom one has a note ‘pool’ and i do not have a pool so think it was used for the pool. Will check if that breaker is being used right now. If not, i think i will use that slot for the ev charger.
I know it is import and Electrician also suggested replacing and quoted about 3k. I live in Southern California.

Put in the new panel. You will have to do it at some point, so you might as well get it done when you do the charging stations.

Thanks Lyndee. What’s the reasonable cost?

You will need to talk with a couple local electricians to get cost information. Your local authority will influence the price also as some are more difficult to work with than others. Local guys will know the particulars of dealing with permits and code officials in your locale. Personally I prefer working with independent electricians rather than large companies but meeting a good one can involve luck as well as lots of requests for referrals from others in the construction world. If you know any local realtors, you can start by asking them for names

I thought that code generally requires that high amp circuits must be run separately so they are not overloaded. Another way of saying it is that the breaker has to be able to handle everything that's plugged in, and if it's possible to run more than one 50A device at once, you have to have separate lines. The same does not hold true for regular 15 and 20A, 120V circuits because you can plug so many different things into them. For that they usually just limit the number of outlets.

Your service panel (and the elec. infeed to the house) should have a max. rating like 100A or 150A. If you don't have enough excess capacity for all the new stuff, code will likely require that you upgrade not only the panel but the level of service from the meter.

I second the advice to get an electrician or three to give you some analysis of what it will take, and estimates.

Kudos for looking at electric cars, BTW. I'm thinking of a rooftop solar array myself.

I put in a new 200A main panel myself about 10 years ago and re-ran many of the lines from the old 60A one with screw-in fuses. I then hired an electrician to remove the old one and connect the new one to the service. It cost about $1000.

Do you plan to be charging two cars simultaneously? If not, why not just run one line and switch between cars. Probably not a long term solution, but might save you a little in the short run.

The panel is indeed an old ITE-PUSHMATIC. It's a split bus panel. Breakers are available (Connecticut Electric makes them), You could try feeding a subpanel. They do make 100A ITE pushmatic breakers. You'd pull something out (like the AC or STOVE) and put the feeder in its place. Put your new branch circuit and the one you pulled out on the sub-panel.

Or you can just replace the stupid pushmatic panel with something more modern (and arguably more reliable).

Thank you so much all of you. I think i should have the licensed electrician replace old panel and make a outlet for the ev charger in the garage at the same time.

I don't know the code for EV chargers, but for some other high amperage items (50 amp, 60 amp, etc.) you cannot install multiple receptacles on the circuit. It is literally a dedicated circuit, with one place to plug in a device.

This type of question comes up frequently for garage builds where someone wants to install multiple types of receptacles in multiple locations because they are not sure where they will be using welders, a big compressor, etc. It is not always a simple question to figure out what is code compliant.

Bruce

I've never seen an L2 EVSE that was connected to a receptacle.

Right, a L2 EVSE is the opposite of a receptacle, since its terminated by a cord with a plug. However I assume that code still prohibits wiring two 50 amp chargers and an induction range on the same circuit (which was the need mentioned in the original post). If he wants to have three 50 amp devices he will need three circuits, along with a complete new electrical panel.

Bruce

Thank you all! I contacted the electrician and going to put new 200amp panel and a ev charger!!