EV charging FAQ

Network and connectivity

Functionality

Availability

Service

Operation

Installation

Network and connectivity

Yes, Eaton developed the charging network manager (CNM) web application, which is used to exchange data with the connected EV chargers.

With the exception of the Green Motion Home AC EV Charger, the Eaton Green Motion product range requires an internet connection to function properly. 

Each EV charger is equipped with its own internal router, which is connected to the charging network manager (CNM) web application. CNM itself can be used to connect virtually an infinite number of EV chargers within the same account.

Yes, Scan & Charge is a web-based platform where customers can initiate a charging session online and pay for its use.

Assuming the EV is physically connected to an EV charger, the charging session can be started and stopped remotely via OCPP, using software such as charging network manager (CNM). Eaton Green Motion AC EV chargers can also be remotely controlled from a dedicated iOS or Android mobile app called Green Motion Charger controller.

Eaton EV chargers come with an AT&T SIM card pre-installed, but other mobile network operators are supported, as well. In either case, you will have to obtain a suitable data plan.

APN settings are determined by the SIM card provider. To set the APN correctly, you must insert the SIM card into the smartphone. You can then copy APN data from the smartphone settings and paste them into the GMSU settings files.

Yes, connected EVs communicate with Eaton Green Motion EV chargers during the charging session. The main reason is to exchange data related to charging power requirements. Due to the reasonably higher communication complexity involved in IEC 61851 Mode 4 EV charging (DC EV chargers), some additional data may be exchanged as well, such as the state of charge (SoC) of the battery.

Functionality

Currently, the Eaton Green Motion DC range is V2G ready but not yet fully V2G compatible. Full implementation is still under development.

Eaton Green Motion DC EV chargers are compliant with IEC 15118. However, full implementation of the standard including Vehicle to Grid (V2G) and Plug & Charge functionality is still under development.

Currently, Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are not Z.E. ready. This funtionality is under development.

Eaton Scan & Charge is a web-based platform easily accessible on any smartphone via the QR code, which is available on the EV charger itself. It allows the user to charge their EV without the need to have an active eMSP subscription.

It depends on many factors, such as EV charger type, rated output power, battery State of Charge (SoC), onboard charger (OBC) type, and even weather conditions. The Eaton Green Motion EV chargers range includes EV chargers from 3.7 kW (Level 2 EV chargers, AC) up to 66 kW (Level 3 EV chargers, DC). Level 3 DC chargers are the fastest ones, so assuming we use the Green Motion DC 66 EV charger to charge an EV model that supports Level 3 DC charging, we can expect roughly 150 km (90 miles approx.) in 30 minutes.

The Eaton Green Motion EV chargers range includes AC and DC EV chargers with different output power ratings and feature sets.

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

AC EV chargers (Green Motion Home, Green Motion Building) are equipped with either a T2/T2S socket or tethered cable and a Type 2 connector.

DC EV chargers (Eaton Green Motion DC 22, Green Motion DC 44/66) are equipped with a tethered cable and CCS 2 connector and optionally with an additional cable with a CHAdeMO connector.

Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are compatible with all EVs on the market equipped with CCS T2/T2S or CHAdeMO sockets. Eaton's research and development (R&D) team always stays on top of the latest EV offerings and ensures there are no issues with the communication protocols.

Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are designed by Green Motion (a subsidiary of Eaton) and manufactured and assembled by Eaton.

The main difference between the two models is that the Eaton Green Motion Home EV charger is intended for single-home applications, while the Green Motion Building EV charger, equipped with an RFID reader, is best suited for parking lots or residential buildings, where there is a need for monitoring or tracking of multiple charging sessions from different users.

Availability

Some Green Motion EV charger models are available in non-EU countries, such as the UK and Israel.

Many factors affect estimated ROI time. The type of EV charger is a very important factor 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 energy over time, regardless of the power capacity of the EV charger. EV charging infrastructure (EVCI) as a whole, is another important factor to consider: As part of Eaton's sustainable energy ecosystem, the Green Motion range of EV chargers can benefit from an energy management system, utilizing renewables and battery storage systems to mitigate high operating expenses (OPEX) and improve estimated ROI.

All Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are available on the market, replacing the old EV chargers range (namely xChargeIn).

The following AC models (Mode 3, Level 2, up to 22 kW) are currently available for purchase: Green Motion Home and Green Motion Building.

The following DC models (Mode 4, Level 3, up to 66 kW) are currently available for purchase: Green Motion DC 22 and Green Motion DC 44/66.

Standard delivery time is two to four weeks after order confirmation. Minor deviations can be expected due to the lack of components in the market, but thanks to a highly resilient supply chain, Eaton can still deliver most products on time. Contact your local Eaton sales representative for a more accurate estimate of the delivery time for your selected product.

Green Motion EV chargers can be purchased via the local authorized network of distributors/ installers

Service

For the Green Motion AC EV chargers range (Green Motion Home and Green Motion Building), Eaton offers extended warranty services covering the electronic parts of the charger. The purpose is to provide peace of mind for an additional one to three years on top of the standard EV charger warranty.

For the line of Green Motion DC EV chargers (Green Motion DC 22, Green Motion DC 44/66), Eaton offers a series of 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 in case of any issues. There are four different service plans to choose from that can be matched to different types of maintenance needs and budgets: Basic, Standard, Advanced, and Premium SLA.

The DC EV charger leasing service is possible under the conditions covered by the Advanced SLA contract.

The product warranty is five years for the AC EV charger range (Green Motion Home, Green Motion Building) and two years for the Green Motion DC EV charger range (Green Motion DC 22, Green Motion DC 44/66). However, it may vary by country.

Unit installation on site is typically performed by a certified and trained installer/qualified personnel.

You can contact Eaton Technical Support at BGTechSupport@eaton.com

Operation

On some models, such as the Eaton Green Motion Home and Eaton Green Motion Building, the maximum power limit can be set manually using a DIP switch inside the unit. It is also possible to set the maximum power limit via the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) using management software, such as Eaton's charging network manager (CNM). For more information on a specific model, refer to the related technical documentation.

By default, Green Motion DC chargers require using an RFID card to authenticate and start the charging session. However, they can be customized on demand with the 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 very useful for private parking lots, as it greatly 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.

Home EV charging typically assumes Level 2 AC chargers, so it makes sense to match the charging capacity of your home EV charger to that of your vehicle's onboard charger (OBC) for the most optimal performance. Today, most EVs are equipped with an OBC of up to 11 kW. However, advancements in semiconductor technologies cause the trend to shift towards more powerful OBCs. Therefore, a home EV charger with a maximum charging power of 22 kW is the most optimal future-proof solution, covering EVs with even the most advanced OBCs. Another important determining factor is the type and power capacity of your grid installation.

No, only a single charging session per EV charger is possible. Dual cables and connectors allow for compatibility with a wider range of EV models, covering both CCS2 and CHAdeMO standards.

Electric vehicles can be safely charged regardless of weather conditions as long as they are operated within the specified limits. For more information on the operating limits, refer to the technical documentation.

An EV does not need to be fully charged. It can be charged according to the power requirements for the desired distance/mileage. The charging session can be safely terminated at any time.

The EV battery should never be allowed to discharge completely. This causes the battery to take longer to charge, as its chemistry behaves non-linearly. Furthermore, leaving an EV uncharged for an extended time interval can cause the battery to self-discharge below safe levels and become damaged. The best practice is to charge your EV periodically, keeping it between 40% and 80%, thus ensuring faster charging times and longer battery life. Fortunately, this coincides with the typical use of EVs in urban driving: the EV is occasionally left in a parking lot to charge before taking a new, relatively short route.

The total amount of electric power used to charge an EV can be read from the power meter to which the EV charger is connected.

The decision on what happens when the charging session stops abruptly is up to the EV manufacturer. The EV charger will not restart the session by itself without a valid request from the EV.

The charging session can be terminated from the connected EV at any time. Depending on the model, EV chargers can be stopped from the backend software (via OCPP) or by resubmitting the authorization RFID card/tag.

During charging, the connected EV will request from the EV charger as much power as it needs. If the EV charger cannot deliver enough power to meet the demands of the EV, the charging power will be limited accordingly, and the EV will be charged more slowly. Conversely, if the EV charger can deliver enough power, the connected EV will be able to charge at the optimal charging rate.

Charging session is automatically terminated by the integrated charging management system, once the EV is fully charged.

Periodic maintenance must be carried out in accordance with local regulations and as described in technical documentation.

The combined power consumption of multiple connected EV chargers can be controlled via the OCPP, with the help of software such as Eaton's charging network manager (CNM).

Installation

Yes, a three-phase AC EV charger can be connected to a single-phase AC grid installation. Ensure that only one phase of the AC grid installation is connected to the AC grid terminal block of the EV charger. The remaining two phases of the AC grid terminal block must remain unconnected. Note that this only applies to the Eaton Green Motion AC EV chargers range; the DC EV chargers can only be installed on a three-phase AC grid installation. For more information, refer to the relevant technical documentation.

Eaton Green Motion EV chargers will work with TT, TN-S, and TN-C grounding systems. Green Motion EV chargers are not designed to operate in an IT system.

The maximum diameter of the AC grid cables depends on the EV charger model and the installed AC grid terminal block:

Green Motion Home and Green Motion Building AC EV chargers: 10 mm²
Green Motion DC 22, Green Motion DC 44/66 EV charger: 16, 35, 50 mm²

For more information on the sizing of the cables, refer to the technical documentation of the related product.

Each unit is supplied with a printed version of the product quick start guide, which lists the package contents. Before proceeding with the installation, make sure you have received everything listed in the product quick start guide.

It is important to check the installation site carefully before installing an EV charger. It should be determined what the maximum capacity of the AC grid connection is and if there is enough power available for the EV charger when other power consumers are connected to the same distribution cabinet. If the available energy is insufficient, it is recommended to use active load management. All electrical installations must comply with local laws and regulations.

Green Motion AC EV chargers are equipped with a 6-mA DC Residual Current Monitoring Unit (RCMU), while Green Motion DC EV chargers feature an Insulation Monitoring Device (IMD) and a galvanically isolated output stage. Therefore, using an RCD type A upstream is mandatory for the AC range of EV chargers, while for the DC range, it is recommended, according to local laws and regulations. Note that local regulations may supersede any instructions given in the technical documentation. For more details, refer to the technical documentation.

Although some models include internal overcurrent protection, protection switchgear (fuses) still must be installed upstream. For more details, please refer to the technical documentation of the selected product. Note, however, that local regulations always supersede any instructions given in the technical documentation.

Standard IEC 60364-7-722 (DIN VDE 0100-722) specifies requirements for the installation of low-voltage switchgear, especially for power supply units for electric vehicles. The standard stipulates that EV chargers with a vehicle socket or vehicle coupling according to the IEC 62196 (DIN EN 62196) standard series (i.e., Type 1 or Type 2 plug-in device) use a Residual Current Device (RCD) Type B upstream or RCD Type A in conjunction with an appropriate device for disconnecting the power supply in case of residual current greater than 6 mA DC.

Eaton Green Motion EV chargers are equipped with residual current monitoring units that can detect residual currents greater than 6 mA DC, thus eliminating the DC "blinding" effect on Type A RCDs, allowing these devices to be used upstream. Green Motion DC EV chargers also features galvanic output isolation that completely cuts off DC current that can leak from the battery in the event of a malfunction.

The circuit breaker should be selected one level higher than the nominal current of the EV charger (or the current limit imposed by the DIP switch, where applicable). For more information and assistance in selecting circuit breakers and other switchgear, consult the technical documentation of the selected product or contact Eaton technical support at BGTechSupport@eaton.com.

Follow the requirements in terms of regulations (ventilation, emergency shutdown, fire hazard, etc.). If wireless networking is used, check the signal strength in advance.

Depending on the model, wall-mount EV chargers can be optionally installed on a floor-mounting pedestal and equipped with a cable holder.

Additional authentication RFID tags/cards can be assigned via the Eaton charging network manager (CNM) application.

There is virtually no limit to the number of RFID tags/cards that can be used with the Green Motion Building EV Charger.

Assuming CAT5 network cables are used (or CAT6 for 1GbE connections), the maximum distance between any two network nodes should not exceed 100 m, according to IEEE 802.3 series of specifications.