Planning Electric Vehicle Charger Management

This article describes installation planning. For on-site implementation and equipment configuration on the Climkit platform, please refer to the links at the end of the article.

1. Management of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Typical Installation

The standard case illustrated in this section consists of installing basic infrastructure in a building already equipped, or simultaneously equipped, with the Climkit solution for electricity and metering management within an RCP framework, featuring a single connection to the distribution grid.

The system involves installing charging stations in the building's communal parking area. The stations communicate with the Climkit Gateway via a LAN network (wired or Wi-Fi) and utilize the standard OCPP communication protocol.

Through this communication, the Climkit Gateway regulates the power available allocated to the stations based on available energy and manages user access, where users identify themselves using RFID badges.

Other installation variants are explained below under "Other configurations depending on site type."

Standard connection diagram with RCP

Flat Cable

It is recommended to install a flat cable to bring electricity to each parking space. This solution facilitates the progressive installation of charging stations as residents opt to equip themselves. This approach complies with level C1 of the SIA 2060 standard.

Electrical Connection

The flat cable is supplied from the electrical panel via a 3P+N LS circuit breaker with a maximum rating of 63A.

The connection is made as follows:

• A dedicated feeder in the electrical panel with a 63A circuit breaker
• A dedicated meter installed at the same level as the other consumers' meters (behind the input meter and never behind the common area meter)

Each feeder corresponds to a distribution zone. Although the number of stations per zone is technically unlimited, it is recommended not to exceed 30 stations per zone and to provide an additional feeder beyond this threshold.

The Gateway reads the instantaneous amperage of the input meter and regulates the charging power of the stations accordingly, to prevent the tripping of the main circuit breaker or the zone circuit breaker.

IP and Wi-Fi Network Setup

Wi-Fi access points are positioned to cover the entire parking area with sufficient signal. Their distribution takes into account signal attenuation caused by conduits, ceiling equipment, and parked vehicles to ensure a stable connection for the stations.

Climkit Offer

The standard Climkit offer groups the necessary elements for the system's operation: hardware equipment, software functionalities, as well as services related to the setup.

All hardware is supplied preconfigured to simplify installation and ensure correct meter communication.

• Basic infrastructure equipment:
  • LAN router or 4G router
  • PoE switch
  • Climkit Gateway
  • Wi-Fi access points (minimum of 2)
  • Wi-Fi access point controller
  • I/O module for load shedding of stations via the DSO meter
• Individual charging station(s)
• Software functionalities:
  • Station management and dynamic load regulation
• Setup service:
  • Configuration and commissioning of the basic infrastructure
  • Configuration and commissioning of each charging station
  • Administrative commissioning

All products are ordered directly from Climkit.

In most cases, the installation can be carried out by the installer without intervention on site by a Climkit technician.

Telephone support is available if necessary during commissioning.

Details of Equipment Used

LAN or 4G Router

An internet connection is essential for the system to function. If no connection is available, Climkit can provide one via a 4G router equipped with an active multi-operator SIM card.

If an internet connection already exists, a Climkit LAN router is systematically provided.

The LAN or 4G router creates a dedicated IP network to which all system equipment (gateway, charging stations, and Wi-Fi access points) connects, allowing for independent administration.

Using Climkit's TRB140 4G router offers several advantages:

• Simplified installation: the router easily installs inside the electrical panel, directly on the DIN rail
• Complete delivery: provided with its DIN rail mount and 24V DC power supply
• Ready to use: delivered preconfigured with an activated SIM card
• Economical 4G subscription: low-cost internet connection

  

  

  Useful link: TRB140 Router Datasheet

In the case of a LAN router, Climkit supplies the preconfigured Teltonika RUT301 router with 4 LAN + 1 WAN ports. It is delivered with a DIN rail mount and its 24V DC DIN rail power supply.

PoE Switch

For Ethernet equipment requiring PoE power, a PoE switch is required.

It allows direct power supply to the gateway, controller, and Wi-Fi access points via the Ethernet cable, without additional electrical power.

Model supplied by Climkit: Teltonika TSW200 (or equivalent), with 8 PoE Ethernet ports and 2 fiber optic SFP ports. Delivered with DIN rail mount and 48 V DC, 150 W DIN power supply.

Climkit Gateway

The Climkit Gateway manages the stations locally and ensures communication with the Climkit platform. Its Ethernet interface enables connection to the IP network and interaction with the stations via the OCPP protocol. Its RS485 interface allows for reading meters, particularly the input meter, via the Modbus protocol.

The gateway is installed directly in the electrical panel on the DIN rail.

Climkit Gateway installed in an electrical panel with the TRB140 4G router, the TSW200 PoE switch, and the I/O module.

Wi-Fi Access Points

Wi-Fi access points create a wireless network covering the entire parking area, allowing charging stations to connect without additional cabling.

The recommended coverage radius per access point is about 15 m, which corresponds approximately to two rows of 10 spaces facing each other. In practice, obstacles (walls, materials, vehicles) significantly reduce the range. To ensure a stable and redundant connection, a minimum of 2 access points is systematically supplied. As a guideline, a parking area of 80 to 100 spaces requires 4 to 6 access points, depending on the configuration and existing obstacles.

Wi-Fi Access Point Controller

The TP-Link Omada OC200 controller optimizes the Wi-Fi network and manages device connections across the various access points.

It easily installs on the DIN rail in the electrical panel and is powered exclusively via PoE from the PoE Ethernet switch.

It also generates alerts in case of access point failure or Wi-Fi signal zones being inadequately covered.

I/O Relay Module

The WP8024 I/O module is supplied with a 24V DC DIN rail power supply and connects to the Climkit Gateway via RS485-Modbus.

Digital input No. 1 is connected to the load shedding relay on the DSO input meter: when this relay opens, the input deactivates, and the gateway immediately cuts the load from the electric vehicles.

Supplied with 24V DC DIN power supply.

2. Charging Station

Climkit supplies the ABB Terra AC 22kW station, a compact and elegant model installable indoors or outdoors. It integrates all the features of a smart station for optimized and flexible charging.

With hundreds of ABB Terra AC stations installed and managed by Climkit since 2021, this model has proven its worth for its ease of installation, durability, and versatility (communal parking lots, buildings, businesses, public stations, residential installations).

Prior to delivery, Climkit ensures the complete preparation of each station: firmware update and configuration according to the specific needs of each site. Climkit technicians are trained and ready to provide all necessary support for installation and commissioning.

Thanks to its stock, Climkit is capable of delivering the required number of stations for each project within a few days.

During the operational phase, management and customer support are simplified with the ABB Terra AC station, as any issue can be handled directly by Climkit under warranty and without involving the installer.

Technical specifications of the ABB Terra AC station

• Maximum power of 22 kW
• Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or 4G connection
• RFID badge reader
• Integrated energy meter
• Communication via standard OCPP protocol
• Daisy-chain Ethernet connection possible

Features with the Climkit Solution

Combined with the Climkit electricity management solution, the station offers:

• Dynamic charging power management based on available power
• User management via RFID badges and individual billing for consumed energy
• Optimization of self-consumption by charging exclusively with produced solar energy

Electrical Connection

The station is connected to the flat cable via a junction box specific to the flat cable manufacturer.

The station can be configured for a maximum of 22 kW (32A), or limited to 25A, 16A, or 10A according to requirements.

A 3P+N Type A differential circuit breaker is installed for each station, sized according to the cable cross-section and the maximum chosen amperage. Expensive Type B or EV circuit breakers are not necessary. The circuit breaker is installed directly in a small enclosure mounted next to the station.

IP Network Connection

The station connects to the IP network via Wi-Fi. It is delivered preconfigured with the Wi-Fi network parameters (SSID and password) as well as the IP address of the gateway to which it must connect.

Pedestal and Outdoor Installation

If the station cannot be wall-mounted, it can be installed on a metal pedestal, either single or double for two stations back-to-back.

The station is IP55 certified and can also be installed outdoors.

Public Charging Station

Each station can optionally be activated in Public charging station mode to allow transient users to pay via Twint by scanning the QR code affixed to the station with their smartphone.

Other Charging Stations Connectable to the Climkit Gateway

All OCPP (1.6) compatible stations can theoretically be connected to the Climkit Gateway to benefit from dynamic load regulation and user access management.

Common models include Schneider, Eaton, Keba, and Fronius.

3. Other configurations depending on site type

Connection Diagram - without RCP

The connection only differs from the standard diagram with RCP by using DSO meters for site consumers instead of private meters.

In this case, the flat cable connects either behind the DSO common area meter or behind a DSO meter dedicated to the stations.

In both cases, a private meter is installed at the input for dynamic and continuous power regulation (by the gateway) to avoid exceeding the connection capacity limit.

Connection behind a DSO meter dedicated to stations

This clearly distinguishes station consumption from common area consumption for billing purposes but incurs additional costs related to the installation and management of this meter by the DSO.

Furthermore, it is not possible to benefit from photovoltaic power for vehicle charging if the PV installation is connected to the common area meter.

Connection behind the DSO common area meter

This saves the cost of an additional DSO meter but requires the installation of a private meter on the common area feeder to ensure dynamic load management.

Indeed, this feeder was initially sized only for common areas; adding stations requires continuous regulation of the charging power via the gateway to avoid exceeding the maximum capacity, as is already done for the main input.

A meter is also added to the feeders of each zone as well as to the photovoltaic system, if present. The consumption of the common areas will then be deducted via a rule meter.

For billing purposes, it will therefore be possible to distinguish consumption related to vehicle charging and, if applicable, differentiate electricity sourced from the grid from that sourced from solar power.

Connection with two or more inputs and behind the DSO common area meter

When multiple grid connections are available for the same parking area, each flat cable feeder (63A) can be connected to any of the inputs.

A single Gateway and a single 4G router are required. Control meters for power regulation are connected to the gateway via an RS485 bus or IP-Ethernet using RS485-Ethernet converters.

If the stations are connected behind the DSO common area meter, it is necessary to install one meter on the common area feeder and another on the station feeder, for the same dynamic load management reasons explained previously.

Connection with two or more inputs and dedicated DSO meter

When the flat cable feeders are connected behind a DSO meter dedicated to the stations for each building, it is not necessary to install private Climkit meters.

Connection behind apartment meters (Not recommended)

Connecting a station behind an apartment's individual meter is strongly discouraged, as it prevents dynamic load management based on the building's available energy and makes it impossible to segregate the station's consumption from the dwelling's consumption.

This configuration also blocks the sharing of the station or the rental of the space to another user, limiting long-term management flexibility.

For these reasons, Climkit does not offer a solution for this type of connection and recommends applying the SIA 2060 standard and centralized station connection, even in small sites with only a few spaces.

Third-Party Station Systems and OCPP Remote Server

When a third-party station system is installed and manages both the stations and dynamic load management, it is not necessary to install Climkit equipment, as all network communication and power regulation are handled by this system.

In this case, Climkit only manages user access via their RFID badges and uploads transactions to the platform for billing.

To enable communication between the third-party system and Climkit, the OCPP parameters of the third-party system must be configured so that it communicates with the Climkit OCPP Remote server.

Common systems of this type include:

• Easee
• Zaptec
• Schneider EcoStruxure EV Charging Expert

4. Next Steps