The Importance of Proper Maintenance for Your Electric Vehicle Charging Station

More and more drivers of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles are installing a charging solution in their homes for greater convenience, with the charging station being the most common device. Secure, practical, efficient, and functional, the charging station is available in several power categories and must be installed by a qualified technician. Nevertheless, and despite their design to last, these devices are subject to the risk of wear and failure like all the others. Is it therefore necessary to provide for specific maintenance or upkeep? Let's take a look at this case.

Charging station: what is it?

Drivers of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles have several solutions for charging their cars. The simple domestic socket is one of them, but with its 2.3 kW of power and the absence of security, it is far too inefficient and even not recommended over time. The reinforced socket is much more secure and offers 3.2 kW of charging power, which can reduce charging times by a third without risk.

The charging station is the most popular solution for motorists. More efficient, secure, and entirely dedicated to recharging the car, it allows you to regain good driving range in a shorter time.

A charging station is a device specially designed to charge an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Compatible with all vehicles, it is connected to it by a specific cable that delivers the energy. In the form of a box to be fixed to the wall or on a stand, the charging station is available in multiple models classified according to their power:

• the 3.7 kW and 7.4 kW wall boxes, on a single-phase network;
• charging stations of 11 kW, 22 kW, 50 kW, and up to 350 kW, on a three-phase network.
  

Composed of an electronic card, a socket, and a screen or control buttons, it delivers the energy it needs to the vehicle without the risk of the domestic electrical circuit overheating. Also, some models are said to be smart. Connected, they are equipped with multiple functionalities which allow them to be managed remotely, programmable, detect off-peak hours, carry out load shedding automatically, be interrupted at the end of the charge, etc.

A charging station must imperatively be installed by a technician to have a secure and reliable installation, but also to be able to claim state aid and an effective guarantee in the event of an issue. This requirement is valid for any charging device from 3.7 kW of power and is only recommended for lower powers.

In addition, for its proper functioning to continue, you should know that a charging station requires regular maintenance and expert maintenance.

Charging station: upkeep, maintenance, what should be planned?

Even if the charging station you had installed is designed to last, like any device, it ages and wears out. It is made up of technical elements, specific software, multiple parts likely to wear out, etc. However, the slightest defect with this type of product makes it unusable, because the safety elements engage automatically and block any action.

If you can perform a few basic maintenance actions, the classic maintenance and maintenance of your charging station must imperatively be carried out by professionals.

Owner maintenance

There is not much you can do to maintain your charging station. However, you can dust it with a clean dry, or slightly damp cloth if stains are visible. On the other hand, this dusting must remain only outside. Do not open your device, as you may damage it.

Do not hesitate to refer to the manufacturer's instructions. He can give you some additional advice for its maintenance. Of course, visually check its good condition regularly to contact a professional as soon as necessary.

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance is routine maintenance that consists of preventing any risk of failure of the device, in particular, due to its components. During this maintenance, the technician examines the charging station and checks or performs the following points:

• it dusts off the various components;
• it checks the connection and condition of the cables;
• it replaces the filters;
• he tests the various elements to check that they are in good working order.

Curative maintenance

Despite regular preventive maintenance, a breakdown can still happen. The technician's mission is then to identify the anomalies at the origin of the breakdown to remedy them and to return to the individual a charging station in perfect working order.

To do this, he can replace his electronic card, change a damaged or worn part, etc. Subsequently, he must reconfigure the system before restarting the charging station.

Charging station: who takes care of its maintenance?

As we have said, the maintenance of the device must be carried out by a technician. A technician is an electrician who has undergone specific training in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. However, not all electricians follow this course and are therefore not competent to install a charging station.

There are three skill levels:

• level 1 for the installation of charging stations up to 22 kW of power, without specific configuration for communication and supervision;
• level 2 for the installation of charging stations up to 22 kW of power, with configuration for communication and supervision;
• level 3 for the installation of fast charging stations with more than 22 kW of power.
  

By requesting the services, you are guaranteed to benefit from and use a secure and compliant charging station, without risk to your home electrical network. In addition, you can be sure that your charging station is well-maintained and properly repaired in the event of a breakdown.

Maintenance of the charging station: what precautions?

A charging station is subject to wear and tear over time, like any device. Nevertheless, to limit the need for curative maintenance, here are the precautions you can take to extend its life and maintain its proper functioning.

A proper installation

Have your charging station installed by a professional technician, even if your unlicensed electrician is trying to convince you to entrust this job to him. A certain qualification is mandatory for your installation to comply with a few standards. You are thus guaranteed to start with a well-installed device, much more reliable and whose guarantee will not be compromised in the event of a problem.

A waterproof terminal

Bad weather is harmful to terminals located outdoors and accentuates the wear of materials. If you can install your charger indoors, the question does not arise. But for an outdoor installation, be sure to opt for a model that is resistant and waterproof to rain and dust. Indeed, the cold and humidity create condensation and corrode the device, but a terminal does not like strong heat either.

A protected location

Your charger will not appreciate shocks which can seriously damage it. So be sure to install it in a safe place and do not hesitate to contact a professional if its protective shell is impacted, even without apparent seriousness.

Think about preventive maintenance

Your charging station must be regularly inspected. Replacing worn parts and proper cleaning will extend its lifespan, which is far from negligible.