Mega Clearance Sale! Enjoy FREE Shipping across Australia on select products for all orders over $100.00! Click here
Mega Clearance Sale! Enjoy FREE Shipping across Australia on select products for all orders over $100.00! Click here
As more people and businesses switch to electric vehicles, the need for EV charging stations and chargers is increasing. Drivers of electric vehicles don’t only want to be able to charge their vehicle at home. They also want to be able to charge their vehicle at the workplace or at dedicated charging stations while running errands. Given their range, EVs don’t need to be charged daily, but drivers want the convenience of being able to top up their vehicle wherever they happen to be.
If you are now considering installing an EV charger at your business, you’re no doubt wondering what you need to look at. If you’ve already looked at a few EV charging solutions, you would have encountered some terms that make choosing an EV charger a little confusing.
So, let’s explore a few of these terms and what they mean.
Just as wall sockets and plugs for electrical appliances differ across the world, so too does the plug type for EV chargers.
The standard in the US and Japan is the Type 1–or J1772–while Europe and the rest of the world, including Australia, have the Type 2–or Mennekes–as the standard. Naturally, you would want to ensure the EV charger you install is the Type 2.
Unless they have a dedicated EV charger installed, most drivers will charge their vehicle at home using an existing, single phase power point. This method is slow, typically adding between 10 and 20km of range per hour plugged in. Dedicated AC EV chargers are either 1-Phase or 3-Phase, with maximum power levels of 7.4KW or 22KW and offering a faster charge than a normal household power point. Depending on the vehicle, these can add 40 to 100km of range per hour of charging. 3-Phase chargers are usually used in industrial settings.
Whether it is installed in a home or at a business, it is highly unlikely that the EV charger will be used in isolation. Normal household or business activities will continue, and this means a constantly varying load on current. EV chargers that include Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) are highly recommended to ensure the power supply is not overloaded. The DLB will automatically adjust the charging current according to the premises’ idle load quota.
Public and commercial charging stations will often be exposed to the elements, including dust and rain. To minimise the impact of these on the lifespan of the EV charger, always look for an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of at least 65. IP65 shows that the charger is dust-tight and water-resistant from all angles. Separate to the IP rating, check too for built-in lightning protection.
AS/NZS 3000:2018 includes specific requirements covering the installation of EV chargers in both commercial and residential settings. As with any new electrical installation, you should always use certified electricians to install your EV charger. While suppliers of EV chargers don’t offer installation services, reputable suppliers will be able to recommend certified electricians who are also experienced with installing EV chargers as per the required standards.
Now is the right time to consider installing EV chargers at your business, whether operational needs, employee use, or as an added convenience for your customers.
Plusrite EV Charger EV22KWDLBT2
Plusrite EV Charger EV7.4KWDLBT2
We know our products inside and out, and we’re always ready to help with new projects. For more information about our EV products, services or stockists, please contact the Plusrite Australia team.
