EV charging FAQ

Network and connectivity

Eaton Charging network manager (CNM) does not limit the number of EV chargers that can be used on the same account. However, connection capacity may be restricted by the bandwidth of the underlying infrastructure.

Still, the number of EV chargers that can be used with the CNM is well above the typical needs of most applications.

Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are preconfigured with the SIM card settings for the following mobile network operators:

• Hologram

• Swisscom

• Vodafone 

However, other mobile operators may also be used, provided that the APN settings are configured manually (usually during commissioning).

Depending on the EV charging mode, some data may be exchanged between the connected EV and the EV charger. 

Eaton cybersecurity guidelines provide comprehensive guidance on enabling the highest level of privacy and confidentiality for data exchange within the Eaton ecosystem. For more information, you can visit Eaton EV charger cybersecurity recommendation guides at the following links:

Eaton cybersecurity recommendations for AC EV chargers

Eaton cybersecurity recommendations for DC EV chargers

Functionality

It depends on the chosen model and the type of the EV charger:

• AC EV chargers (Green Motion Home, Green Motion Building) are equipped with either a T2/T2S socket or a tethered cable with a Type 2 connector.
• DC EV chargers (Green Motion DC 22, Green Motion DC 44/66) are equipped with a tethered cable and CCS2 connector, and optionally with a tethered cable and CHAdeMO connector.

The charging time of an electric vehicle (EV) depends on several factors, including the type of EV charger (AC or DC), its rated output power, the state of charge of the battery (SoC), the charging capacity of the EV, and even the weather conditions (low temperatures negatively affect the charging speed).

The Eaton Green Motion EV product range includes EV chargers from 3.7 kW (Mode 3 EV chargers, AC) up to 66 kW (Mode 4 EV chargers, DC). DC EV chargers provide the fastest charging speed, so assuming the Green Motion DC 66 EV charger is used to charge an EV model that supports Mode 4 DC charging, we can expect a range of 150 km (90 miles approx.) in about 30 minutes.

Green Motion Home EV chargers do not have a network router/modem or RFID authentication, which makes them an ideal solution for private homes.

Green Motion Building EV chargers feature a network router/modem along with a built-in RFID reader, which makes them most suitable for public parking lots or residential buildings that can benefit from electrical energy management through load balancing and monitoring of EV charging assets.

Load balancing is intended for a single or multiple (networked) EV chargers in public garages, public parking spaces, and other places where they can easily overload the AC power supply grid. Load and phase balancing help alleviate grid capacity constraints by evenly redistributing available power between the EV chargers and across AC lines, while respecting current limit.

Eaton Green Motion Building EV chargers offer a full range of communication interfaces for networking, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and a cellular network interface (3G/4G LTE). The maximum number of EV chargers partaking in load balancing depends on the selected network topology and the routing equipment limitations: for example, the maximum number of EV chargers connected in a star network topology via an Ethernet switch is 50.

For more details on choosing the right network for your application and specific limitations of each supported network topology, refer to the technical documentation.

Availability

Many factors affect estimated ROI. The type of EV charger is a particularly important factor to consider because, unlike DC EV chargers, AC EV chargers are limited by the EV's onboard charger (OBC), which significantly affects the amount of delivered (charged) power over time, regardless of the nominal power capacity of the EV charger.

EV charging infrastructure (EVCI) is another key factor to consider: As part of Eaton's sustainable energy ecosystem, Eaton Green Motion EV chargers can benefit from Eaton's energy management solutions, using renewables and battery storage systems to minimize operating expenses (OPEX) and improve estimated ROI.

All Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are available for purchase, replacing the old EV product range (namely xChargeIn). Contact your local Eaton sales representative for more details on availability.

The following AC models (Mode 3, up to 22 kW) are currently available for purchase from Eaton: Green Motion Home and Green Motion Building.

The following DC models (Mode 4, up to 66 kW) are currently available for purchase from Eaton: Green Motion DC 22 and Green Motion DC 44/66.

Service

For the Eaton Green Motion AC product range, Eaton offers extended warranty services to provide peace of mind for the additional one to three years, on top of the standard EV charger warranty.

For Eaton Green Motion DC product range (Green Motion DC 22, Green Motion DC 44/66), Eaton offers Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure the highest utilization and lowest downtime of the charging infrastructure. 

SLAs include preventive maintenance, technical support, and emergency response. There are four different service plans to choose from: Basic, Standard, Advanced, and Premium.

Operation

If you are new to EV charging and would like to understand how EV charging works, read our Essential guide to electric vehicle charging.

We set out basic concepts related to the main types of EVs currently available, focusing specifically on how to charge electric vehicles most effectively, the cost of charging an electric vehicle, EV charger types, and how EV chargers can become an integral part of buildings as energy hubs.

On some models, such as Eaton Green Motion Home and Green Motion Building, the maximum output power can be limited manually by a DIP switch inside the unit.

It is also possible to set the maximum output power limit via the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) using charging management solutions such as Eaton Charging Network Manager (CNM). For more information on a specific model, refer to the technical documentation.

By default, Eaton Green Motion DC chargers require the use of an RFID card to authenticate and start the charging session. However, they can be customized on demand with Plug & Start functionality that allows the charging session to begin as soon as the EV is connected without the need to present an authentication card, thus effectively bypassing the charging session authorization.

This feature is particularly useful for private parking lots, as it simplifies the charging process. Keep in mind, however, that with the Plug & Start feature enabled, charging sessions cannot be tracked or restricted to any specific group of users or EVs.

An EV does not need to be fully charged. It can be charged according to the energy requirements for the desired distance/mileage, as well as the best charging practices.

A charging session can be safely terminated at any time.

The best practice is to charge your EV battery between 20% and 80% to retain the optimal battery performance and maximize its lifespan.

Some battery manufacturers may recommend periodically going through the complete charging cycle from 0% to 100% for more accurate State of Charge (SoC) reporting.

Leaving the battery uncharged for prolonged periods can sometimes lead to self-discharging below the safe level and causing irreversible damage to the battery. Also, using ultrafast EV chargers too frequently may have a deteriorating effect on the battery lifespan.

In general, the total amount of electric energy used to charge an EV can be read from the energy meter to which the EV charger is connected.

Some models of EV chargers, such as the Eaton Green Motion Building, have a built-in MID-compliant energy meter, which allows direct readings from its LCD and facilitates the billing services.

All Eaton Green Motion DC EV chargers can display power readings on their built-in TFT touch panels.

The combined power consumption of multiple connected EV chargers can be controlled via the OCPP, with the help of charging management solutions such as Eaton Charging Network Manager (CNM).

Additionally, Eaton Green Motion Building EV chargers can be operated as a cluster of networked EV chargers, allowing features such as static and dynamic load balancing, phase balancing, and more.

Installation

A three-phase Eaton Green Motion AC EV charger can be connected to a single-phase AC supply grid. Ensure that only one phase of the AC supply grid is connected to the AC power terminals of the EV charger. The remaining two phases must remain unconnected.

Eaton Green Motion DC EV chargers cannot operate with a single-phase AC power supply.

The technical documentation provides detailed information on how to connect Eaton Green Motion EV chargers to the AC power supply grid.

Eaton Green Motion EV chargers can be used in TT, TN-S, and TN-C-S earthing systems. More information can be found in the technical documentation.

Consult your local Eaton technical support representative for information on the compatibility with the IT earthing system, or contact Eaton technical support at BGTechSupport@eaton.com

It is important to check the installation site carefully before installing the EV charger. It should be determined what the maximum capacity of the AC grid connection is and whether there is enough power available for the EV charger when other consumers are connected to the same distribution cabinet. All electrical installations must comply with the local laws and regulations.

If the available power capacity is insufficient, it is recommended to use dynamic or static load balancing with maximum output power limitation, depending on the EV charger model and site configuration.

Optionally, the available power capacity can be increased using battery energy storage system (BESS) solutions such as Eaton xStorage products range.

Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are not equipped with internal residual current devices (RCDs) or residual current circuit breakers (RCBOs), leaving the option to retrofit them according to specific needs and local regulations. Consult the technical documentation or contact Eaton technical support at BGTechSupport@eaton.com for assistance in selecting the appropriate type of RCD or RCBO for your application.

Bear in mind that local regulations supersede any instructions provided in the technical documentation.

There are several factors affecting the selection of a suitable RCD type for a particular use case. These factors include, but are not limited to the model of the EV charger, its manufacture date, the presence of pre-installed RCDs and their topology, and the earthing system. Choosing the correct RCD is not a simple task, and the wrong choice can pose an electrical hazard to users.

The technical documentation provides instructions for choosing a suitable RCD for your EV charger. If you still have doubts, contact Eaton Technical Support at BGTechSupport@eaton.com for further assistance in selecting the appropriate RCD or RCBO for your application.

Although some models include internal surge and overcurrent protection, protection switchgear (fuses or circuit breakers) is still required upstream. For more details, refer to the technical documentation.

Note, however, that local regulations always supersede any instructions given in the technical documentation.

The circuit breaker should be selected primarily according to the AC power supply cabling and if possible, one level above the rated input current of the EV charger.

For more information and assistance in selecting circuit breakers and other switchgear, consult the technical documentation or contact Eaton technical support at BGTechSupport@eaton.com.

Cybersecurity