Plan the management of electric vehicle charging stations

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

1. Electric vehicle charging station management - typical installation

The standard case illustrated in this section consists of installing a basic infrastructure in a building already equipped or simultaneously equipped with the Climkit solution for electricity management and metering within an RCP with a single input from the distribution network.

The system consists of installing charging stations in the building's collective parking lot. The stations communicate with the Climkit Gateway via a LAN network (wired or Wi-Fi) and use the standard OCPP communication protocol.

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

Other installation variants are explained below under "Other configurations according to 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 gradual installation of charging stations as residents wish to equip themselves. This approach corresponds to level C1 of the SIA 2060 standard.

Electrical connection

The flat cable is powered from the electrical panel via a max 63A 3P+N circuit breaker.

The connection is carried out as follows:

• A dedicated feeder in the electrical panel with a 63A circuit breaker
• A dedicated meter installed at the same level as the meters for other consumers (behind the input meter and never behind the common areas 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 from the input meter and regulates the charging power of the stations accordingly, to avoid tripping the main circuit breaker or the zone circuit breaker.

Setting up the IP and Wi-Fi network

Wi-Fi access points are positioned to cover the entire parking lot 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 includes the elements necessary for the system's operation: hardware equipment, software functionalities, and services related to setup.

All hardware is provided pre-configured to simplify installation and ensure proper communication of the meters.

• Basic infrastructure equipment:
  • LAN router or 4G Router
  • PoE Switch
  • Climkit Gateway
  • Wi-Fi access points (at least 2)
  • Wi-Fi access point controller
  • I/O Module for station load shedding 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 setup

All products are ordered directly from Climkit.

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

Telephone assistance is available if necessary during commissioning.

Equipment details used

LAN or 4G Router

An Internet connection is essential for the system's operation. If no connection is available, Climkit can provide it 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) connect, allowing for independent administration.

Using the Climkit TRB140 4G Router offers several advantages:

• Simplified installation: the router is easily installed inside the electrical panel, directly on the DIN rail
• Complete delivery: supplied with its DIN rail support and 24V DC power supply
• Plug & Play: delivered pre-configured 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 provides the pre-configured Teltonika RUT301 router with 4 LAN ports + 1 WAN. It is delivered with DIN rail support and its 24V DC DIN rail power supply.

PoE Switch

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

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

Model provided by Climkit: Teltonika TSW200 (or equivalent), with 8 PoE Ethernet ports and 2 SFP fiber optic ports. Delivered with DIN rail support 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 allows connection to the IP network and interaction with the stations via the OCPP protocol. Its RS485 interface allows 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 lot, allowing charging stations to be connected without additional wiring.

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

Wi-Fi Point Access Controller

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

It is easily installed 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 an access point failure or areas insufficiently covered by the Wi-Fi signal.

Relay I/O Module

The WP8024 I/O module is delivered 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 station load shedding relay on the DSO input meter: when it opens the relay, the input is deactivated and the gateway immediately cuts the charging of the electric vehicles.

Delivered with 24V DC DIN rail power supply.

2. Charging station

Climkit provides the ABB Terra AC 22kW charging station, a compact and elegant model suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation. It integrates all the functionalities 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 (collective parking lots, buildings, companies, public stations, residential installations).

Before delivery, Climkit ensures 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 extensive stock, Climkit is able to deliver the number of stations required for each project within a few days.

In the operational phase, management and customer support are simplified with the ABB Terra AC station, as any problem can be handled directly by Climkit under warranty 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
• Ethernet daisy-chain connection possible

Functionalities with the Climkit solution

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

• Dynamic management of charging power based on available power
• User management via RFID badges and individual billing of consumed energy
• Self-consumption optimization 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 as needed.

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

IP network connection

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

Pedestal and outdoor installation

If the station cannot be mounted on a wall, it can be installed on a metal pedestal, 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 also optionally be activated in public station mode to allow transient users to pay via Twint by scanning the QR code on 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. The most common models include Schneider, Eaton, Keba, and Fronius.

3. Other configurations according to site type

Connection diagram - without RCP

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

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

In both cases, a private meter is installed at the input for continuous dynamic power regulation (by the gateway) to not exceed the connection capacity limit.

Connection behind a dedicated DSO meter for stations

This allows clearly distinguishing station consumption from common areas during billing, but involves additional costs related to the installation and management of this meter by the DSO.

Furthermore, it is not possible to benefit from solar for charging vehicles if it is connected to the common areas meter.

Connection behind the common areas DSO meter

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

Indeed, as this feeder was initially sized only for the common areas, adding stations requires continuous regulation of charging power via the gateway so as not to exceed maximum capacity, similar to the main input.

A meter is also added on the feeders for each zone as well as on the solar, if present. Common area consumption will then be deduced via a rule meter.

During billing, it will thus be possible to distinguish consumption related to vehicle charging and, if applicable, differentiate grid electricity from solar electricity.

Connection with two or more inputs and behind common areas DSO meter

When multiple grid inputs are available for a single parking lot, each flat cable feeder (63A) can be taken from each of the inputs.

Only one Gateway and one 4G Router are necessary. Control meters for power regulation are connected to the gateway via an RS485 bus or IP-ethernet using RS485-Ethernet converters.

If stations are connected behind the common areas DSO meter, it is necessary to install a meter on the common areas feeder and another on the stations feeder for the same dynamic load management reasons explained above.

Connection with two or more inputs and dedicated DSO meter

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

Connection behind apartment meters (not recommended)

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

This configuration also blocks sharing the station or renting 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 that system.

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

To allow communication between the third-party system and Climkit, the third-party system's OCPP settings must be configured to communicate with Climkit's OCPP Remote server.

Common systems of this type include

• Easee
• Zaptec
• Schneider EcoStruxure EV Charging Expert

4. Next steps