Ethics of Pluging In on Non-Designated Outlet

Ethicly, morally; it's taking something that doesn't belong to you, without permission.

That being said, I've done it and look for places to do it. If it's really gonna attract attention, I tend to avoid it. Unfortunately, I frequent some places I'd like to plug in but it would attract alot of attention. That makes it a little uncomfortable.

I found a great place to plug in at my local Wal-Mart. Its in the open, but rather off the beaten path. I'll charge while my wife is shopping, done it several times.
Well the other day, I'm sitting there and one of the tire service guys was walking across the parking lot to get lunch and noticed my car and the cord........
He comes over and asks how long it takes to charge and makes some brief small-talk. Then as he walks away he says, "Well if it's there, I guess it's free, right?" With a little tone and a little look. I just chuckled and said "yeah". My impression was, who do I think I am?

So for me it all comes down to how much attention or question it will draw....if that's an issue, just ask.

 

I'm trying to get the place where I work to invest in a few charging stations. Its a big company with over 5000 workers. The guy in charge of security said he looked into it a year or ago but never pursuided it because I am the only one asking about it. We have a 10 level parking structure with outlets every 30 feet or so. So if they don't put in a few charging stations I am definitely going to plug in on the wall outlets. I don't consider it stealing. Is it stealing to use the coffee pots or toasters at work or is it stealing to not turn off your computer monitors or bathroom lights when you are not using them. 3kw for 3 hours is not that that much...they can take it out of my check if they really put up a fus.

 

Not trying to debate the issue, but all those things were put there for
your use, or employees use. Even the outlet at your desk or cubicle.
There is a difference.
But, if it's a company parking structure, it could be debated that even those outlets were put there for employee use. That being said, I'd plug in too.

 

You should ask about simply plugging your charger into the existing outlets. I'm betting that you are likely to get permission, producing a cost effective solution for parties.

 

Good point.....I didn't look at that aspect. Thanks.... For bringing up these thoughts because I'm sure someone sometime is going to put up a fus...

 

I work at an office complex that has several high-tech tenants (I make videogames). A few weeks before I got my car, I inquired about charging stations. They said they had several inquiries, and had talked to some charger-companies, but they weren't planning to do anything for at least a year. Then I noticed open outlets in the parking garage, and told them I was going to plug in there while I was at work. They said they didn't want me doing it, because it will be "a tripping hazard." Also because they don't have individual meters to charge my company for the juice. I offered to pay for the electricity, but they just gave me a list of charging stations in Burbank (which are miles away from the office).

So I plug in anyway. My rationale is that by people using those outlets, it will encourage building management to install chargers. And if I get "caught" I will again offer to pay for it. I'll even buy my own personal meter if they want (aren't they like $15?).

I would rather plug in than not plug in and have to use more gas. It's not a money thing-- it's the principle of being able to use electricity instead of gasoline.

 

A Xebra owner in South Carolina needed to extend his range so he asked some of the local businesses he frequented if he could plug-in his car. Most of them said Yes. He created a web page that showed these businesses. http://evcarolina.com/ChargingLocsNews.html

His final comment on the page is actually pretty good advice "Be courteous whenever plugging in at a business, ask permission. Keep all cords in a safe location."

Many businesses will let you plug-in if you ask though some will not; it pays to ask. Even then you have to be careful. In his coast to coast drive in an EV1 C.E. Raum was staying at a motel for the night. He was given permission to plug-in by the night manage but when he came back to the car then next morning it had been booted. Apparently the night manager hadn't told the day manager about the car and the day manager had called the police thinking that C.E. was stealing electricity.

Noel

 

I agree. The best thing to do is ask permission. I've always been told yes. What we need to be careful of is getting a 'bad reputation' for 'taking without permission'. Be courteous and ask.

 

The only place where I would find unethical is an exterior outlet from someone's house. Otherwise more "public" areas like strip malls, mega stores, and even your company's parking structure is fair game. I wouldn't expect my gardeners/contractors working on my house to plug their tools into their own elec generators.

 

Interesting question. Is it really 'stealing'? If you're creating a tripping hazard, for either people or the electrical breakers, then that's a valid concern. But using electricity instead of gasoline is better for everyone, isn't it? Is it 'stealing' when the air we breathe is polluted with noxious fumes, or when the water supply is poisoned with petroleum runoff? Why shouldn't plugging-in be encouraged?

 

if you're asking, hopefully, you already know the answer.

 

Whilest I agree that plugging in is better, ethically when you plug-in to someone elses outlet without permission, causing them to incur an expense, the you are stealing from them. The fact that the outlet is on the outside of their property not on the inside and that the puplic has access to the property is irrelevant.

There are two exceptions I see to this, one is an outlet that is part of a public charging area, and the second is an outlet that is provided to allow people to plug in block heaters. In both these cases the outlet is provided for the public to use.

 

Can they also help themselves to the gas can in your garage, or even your car's gas tank, to power their yard equipment, Or even their truck, since they came to work at your place. You employed them.
Hmmmm, Gas for their car, electricity for yours.
what's the difference?

 

unlike you i don't have gas cans or rolling barrels in my garage. not sure why even people bother with the question. If you feel like $hit plugging it in, don't.

 

I was at a restaurant the other evening, and parked about seven feet from a plug on the side of their building, right in front of my car. SO bad I wanted to plug in, but the cord would have run across the sidewalk, and the whole tripping hazard came to mind.
I could see someone getting PO'd and beating the crap out of my car with the big box-end of the charging cord.

 

However, I expect that only while they are doing work for me. They shouldn't plug into my house while working for the neighbors, nor while in the neighborhood for other purposes.

When the local water department discovered some sort of hobby club using the parking lot outside of business hours, and plugging in to the building outlets without asking permission, the utility felt justified in tripping the breakers to those outlets. I don't blame them.

And I'd note that plugin cars consume far more energy than most workers' tools, a factor that comes into play when considering customers patronizing a business.

 

Since the last 5 years I had been asking for an "OK to Plugin" while I was in need at any gas station and /or retail outlet. I do not recall being denied to many times to "Can't Do".

 

And for those who don't feel like $hit when they steal from others........"You can have anything you want, just don't take it from me.....
living in The Jungle, baby"

Important ethic to live by

 

No is my answer. You don't know what other loads are on that circuit and your 12 amp load might cause an overload and trip the circuit breakers. Depending what else is on circuit this might cause a security risk. Two level 1 evse's would definitely cause an over load even on a 20 amp circuit. Cellphones and Laptop chargers however I have no problem with.