5
PROFITEST H+E EASY CHECK
Gossen Metrawatt GmbH
5
Background Knowledge Concerning Electromobility
5.1
Charging Point / Wallbox
Electric vehicles are charged with alternating current (AC) at AC charging points in
charging mode 3 with type 2 plug. Since electric vehicle batteries can only store
direct current (DC), the alternating current is converted to direct current by the elec-
tric vehicle’s on-board charger.
AC charging points are available for single-phase or three-phase connection. In the
case of single-phase connection, currents of up to max. 20 A are permissible.
Three-phase connections are designed for currents of up to 32 A.
Electric vehicles are charged with direct current at so-called fast charging points.
5.2
Charging Cables
The Mode 3 charging cable establishes a connection between the electric vehicle
and the AC charging point. There are 3 different ways to establish a connection
between the electric vehicle and the AC charging point:
• The charging cable is permanently attached to the vehicle. The charging cable
is plugged into the type 2 charging socket at the AC charging point.
• The charging cable is portable. The type 2 plug is plugged into the vehicle’s
charging socket, and the type 2 coupler is plugged into the charging socket at
the AC charging point.
• The charging cable is permanently attached to the AC charging point. The type
2 plug of the AC charging point is plugged into the charging socket of the elec-
tric vehicle.
5.3
Plugs
Type 2 plugs are used to transmit power to and communicate with the electric vehi-
cle.
The plug controls the following functions:
– Verification that an electric vehicle is connected
– Monitoring of protective conductor continuity
– Switching the system on
– Switching the system off
– Charging current selection
– Charging current settings
– Locking/unlocking the connectors
– Enabling power