Ev charging stations in India
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How To Avoid EV Charger High Temperatures

EVs are fast gaining popularity in the country. It has led to an increase in demand for efficient and highly reliable public and private charging stations. However, overheating is a common concern that EV owners face. Chargers may overheat to an extent that it leads to safety hazards and reduced efficiency. It also causes the equipment to experience faster wear and tear and irreparable damage.

Charger high temperatures

Perhaps you notice smoke rising from the primary charger. It can be a nightmare for any EV owner, especially if it occurs during a charging period. Such risks in indoor chargers cause safety issues for life and property. Fortunately, electric vehicle charger-related fires are rare. However, if they occur, they can damage infrastructure. They also cause severe disruption to your fleet operation. Hence overheating should be avoided at all costs.

Reasons for EV chargers to experience high temperatures

  • Poor ventilation: You might have placed the charging station in a poorly ventilated or enclosed area. Keeping it in this condition for longer hours traps heat. This, in turn, overheats the charger. Proper airflow ensures the safe operating temperature of the equipment.
  • High-power charging: Heat generation is excess in high-power DC fast chargers. This is because the electrical component supplies lots of current in a short time. Excess heat requires dissipating. However, repeated fast charging may cause overheating.
  • Overloaded circuits: Powering too many devices in the same circuit causes overloading and overheating of the charger. For instance, you may have plugged in the 11 or 7kW charger with other high-powered appliances. If it is on the same circuit, it could exceed its capacity, resulting in excessive heat generation.
  • Environmental conditions: The charger can get overheated due to extreme weather conditions including high ambient temperatures. Outdoor wall box chargers having poor protection and being exposed to direct sunlight can cause the charger to overheat. Consider these factors when installing charging points.
  • Inferior or faulty components: Uncertified or low-quality chargers may cause high operating temperatures. Moreover, chargers that lack adequate safe features or are constructed with substandard materials may find it difficult to dissipate heat. Hence, select top-quality components that are safe, and offer mental peace, and satisfaction from usage.
  • Poor installation: Improper or substandard installation or wrong wiring might increase electrical resistance. This, in turn, generates heat that poses a danger over time. Proper installation is crucial for smooth functioning and keeping the charger at optimum temperature.
  • Cooling issues: EV chargers are similar to desktop computers. They generate heat on usage. Hence, fans are installed on computers and EV chargers to cool them during operation. Otherwise, excess heat generated will cause irreparable damage. Often, leaves or debris might block the fans, resulting in overheating the component.
  • Lack of maintenance: Irregular maintenance might result in severe overheating and component damage. Visual inspection and physical cleaning prevent dirt and dust accumulation. It also helps identify broken or loose cables, wear and tear, and cracks. Functional tests are equally important for elements.
  • Firmware or software-related problems: The charging firmware or software might develop bugs or glitches over time. It causes its internal mechanism to experience excess pressure. A firmware glitch causes non-stop cycles, resulting in the charger getting overheated. DC fast charging station in Karnal is safe to charge your EV.

Tips to prevent EV charger high temperature

  • Install the charging point in a ventilated area of your home or establishment. The place should allow adequate airflow. Do not select enclosed spaces as they restrict ventilation. For outdoor charger installation, use weatherproof enclosures. It ensures proper cooling. Besides this, the charger should have waterproof and anti-fog features. It should not allow entry of dust, heat, and other impurities that otherwise might generate heat and damage the circuit.
  • A dedicated circuit protects your charger from overloading. It is crucial for high-power chargers. Such circuits reduce overheating and ensure the charger functions to its optimum. Invest in a high-quality, certified charger that is made from reliable materials and is safe. It should have undergone rigorous testing, meet international standards, and ensure efficient operation.
  • Your work does not end after charger installation. It requires frequent monitoring and proper maintenance for effective functioning. Inspect it for signs of damage or wear and tear. Clean it regularly and ensure secure connections. It helps prevent overheating. Select a charger equipped with a built-in temperature measuring feature. In case of excess temperature, it shuts down automatically, thus preventing device damage. 

Frequency of taking preventative measures

It is only in rare cases that overheated chargers cause smoke or fire. The situation is similar to a vehicle’s internal combustion engine, like a truck or bus. Hence, the charging site doesn’t suffer from overheated component damage. However, it is necessary to conduct regular checks and take adequate protective measures to reduce risks while charging your EV. Have emergency tools handy to detect and prevent overheated chargers. 

How can you detect overheated EV chargers?

The top battery manufacturers have developed diverse measures. The objective is to prevent the occurrence of such worst-case scenarios. However, no system provides a hundred percent guarantee to avoid overheating. You may invest in tools that are field-tested and proven successful in detecting these problems. The modern AI-powered software manages your charging needs. It identifies overheating issues automatically. Besides this, it triggers several automated actions to prevent another session.

Why is charging the EV during high temperatures not possible?

Lithium-ion-based batteries are heat sensitive. As it generates excess heat, it fails to hold onto the charge. Over time, this extra heat damages the device. Charting the battery in such conditions might take longer than expected. With an increase in device temperature, resistance also increases. More energy is consumed for charging. Besides this high temperature exposure reduces battery capacity and health. 

Select the best software to detect overheating issues!

The best software will exhibit the above features and work to the optimum with most chargers. However, certain brands upgrade their firmware to derive this feature. With charging locations increasing at a rapid pace throughout the country, this functionality will be in demand. You can expect charger hardware manufacturers to offer more options in the future.

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Ev charging station in India
Written by admin

Overview Of EV Charging Types In India

Before purchasing an electric vehicle for personal or business use, it will be wise to know the charging types used in India. EVs are similar to mobile phones as they require charging to optimum function. They also have different chargers for public and personal use. Knowing them ensures you make wise decisions. 

EV Charging

Charging EVs requires some basic knowledge. AC and DC are the two types used to charge these vehicles. AC offers two subtypes, namely, fast or slow charging. On the other hand, DC ensures rapid charging. The charger type determines charging times. Hybrid vehicles may be traditional regenerative or plug-in hybrids. This, in turn, determines the need for external charging devices. 

EV Charger types

There are three types, namely, Level One or slow charging, Level Two or fast charging, and Level Three or Rapid Charging. The first and second levels are AC types, while the third one is a DC charger. With the increase in charging levels, charging speed reduces. A rise in EV charging power reduces charging time. The charging cable is equipped with two ports – the first for the charge point and the other for the vehicle.

Know the charger types in detail!

  • Level-One chargers: They are slow chargers and are used in households. Using them, you can recharge your EV conveniently at your home. You don’t have to go anywhere. However, being slow, it takes more time to fully charge the vehicle. You have to leave the car at the charge point at night and it stops automatically on acquiring a full charge. It is safe and useful.
  • Level-Two chargers: They are fast chargers. You can find them in public places, like malls, petrol pumps, parks, etc. You can charge your PHEV or any EV using this charger type. It ensures you charge your vehicles quickly, while you shop, relax, or do other errands. It saves precious time and allows you to drive long distances without worrying about charging needs.
  • Level-Three charger: These are DC chargers and offer a super fast charging experience. They convert AC charge into DC before charging the vehicle. They take less than 20 minutes to charge up to 80%. Within an hour, you can fully charge your EV and enjoy driving it without interruptions. You can find these chargers at corporate complexes and public stations.

AC Chargers

As mentioned above, they are Level One and Level Two chargers. The charging station supplies AC to the onboard charger and converts it to DC. Domestic AC supply provides a maximum of 7kW power. Hence, they charge the vehicle slowly and take time to ensure full charge. You can manage this charger using an AC charger controller.

  • Level One AC Charger: It is a slow charger and caters to most of the EV car charging points in India. It supplies power to chargers with power output between 3 and 6kW. Charging time is approximately 8 to 12 hours depending on battery capacity. Essential features are:
    • Charging units are provided with untethered or tethered charging cables.
    • It favors all AC connectors.
    • It is meant for home charging. 
    • It functions as the mains charger or specialist charger.
  • Level Two AC Charger: It is a fast charger and functions to the optimum between 7 and 22 kW. They are mostly found in EV charging stations in India that cater to different types of EVs. Charging rate and speed depend on EV type or per-hour unit speed. Essential features are:
    • Battery charged at 7kW on either of the three connectors.
    • Battery charged at 22kW on either of the three connectors.
    • Charging cables include untethered and tethered.
    • Tesla enjoys fast charging at 11kW.

DC Chargers

They are Level Three or Type-Three chargers. They provide maximum power capacity and are the fastest chargers. The single or double-gun charger enables one or more EVs to enjoy rapid charging simultaneously. Rapid chargers provide 50kW while ultra-rapid chargers support over 100kW. Essential features are:

  • Rapid units support tethered cables.
  • 43kW AC charging for one connector type.
  • 100+kW on any of the connectors.
  • 50kW rapid charging for two DC connectors.

Why EV’s are the best choice for the Indian economy?

Vehicle emissions are among the primary threats in India that increase pollution levels. The target is to reduce emissions by the end of 2030. Hence, alternative methods are implemented to fulfill this objective. Besides this, the Indian automobile sector is the world’s biggest and is expected to occupy the third spot in a decade. E-vehicles are the perfect alternative to fuel-based conventional vehicles. 

Increasing charging points

Two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and four-wheeler electric vehicle sales are growing fast. Private and public companies are joining hands and installing EV chargers in big and small cities and towns to meet the growing demand. They are installing DC and AC charging points to cater to vehicles of all sizes and meet all speed requirements. 

Target set

Beyond 2030, EVs are expected to increase significantly and exceed conventional fuel-based vehicles. The country saves on oil imports, while EV owners save thousands of rupees for every thousand kilometers driven. They enjoy a significant reduction in energy per kilometer. Furthermore, electrification contributes to reducing automotive emissions and increasing the country’s GDP. Besides this, the EV battery market is anticipated to enjoy further expansion at 30% CAGR.

EV is the future

The fact is electric vehicles are gaining popularity and so are batteries. Knowing them in detail ensures making well-informed choices. The correct choice can make you happy and satisfied as an individual or an entrepreneur. You should know how to charge your vehicle or vehicles conveniently without losing downtime. The vehicle should always be in operational mode and the battery fully charged. It ensures uninterrupted movement on the roads.

Enjoy driving your EV

Manufacturers offer different types and brands of electric vehicles. Remember, not all EVs have the same battery, capacity, or charging requirements. Each one is unique and has diverse requirements. Determine your EV’s needs and choose the most appropriate charger and charging point. It ensures a pleasurable charging experience.

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