As the roll-out of electric vehicles (EVs) gains momentum across the world, EV charging stations are going to become a more common sight. Their prominence will open up a whole new world of opportunities for electrical contractors who will be required to install, maintain and service the charging stations.
There are currently around 76 EV charging stations dotted around the country,” says Ryan Burger, divisional product manager – Tools and Instruments at HellermannTyton. “Being a new technology, however, new instruments will be required, and HellermannTyton have the solution.” The MACROEVTEST is a portable device for the verification and control of electric car charging stations (EVSE) in accordance with the IEC/EN 61851-1 and IEC/EN60364-7-722 standards, and for safety tests in environments civil and industrial CEI 64.8. “There is not another product available that covers all the standards at this time,” he says.
The MACROEVTEST, in combination with the EVTEST100 EV adapter, connects to the charging station to allow the verification of the EVSE’s complete functionality and electrical safety. The MACROEVTEST controller is attached through a C100EV cable to the EVTEST100 unit, which is connected via a built-in cable with a Type2 plug to a recharging station. The handheld MACROEVTEST, with its touchscreen display, simplifies communication with the EVTEST100 unit to simulate the presence of a car being recharged. All tests can be performed correctly by simply following a guided procedure. Before each test, the MACROEVTEST display shows precisely how to connect the cables and after the measurement it reports the recharging station's safety verdict as shown by a green or red thumb symbol.
Built-in tests for charging stations include continuity tests of the protection conductor, insulation test, status verification, overall ground resistance, and verification of the RCD's tripping point for type A, B, and B 6mA. Verification tests and simulations include vehicle not present, vehicle present/not charging, and vehicle present/charging. Detectable events and anomalies during the recharging phase include simulation of a fault on the protection conductor, the presence of voltages on the EVSE output connector, and verification of the mechanical lock in the charging station connection (if this function is present). The MACROEVTEST can also simulate various fault conditions, including the interruption of the protective conductor (PE) or an error of the Control Pilot (CP) signal. It can also verify the recharging mode and the encoding of the recharge current by monitoring the pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal. Rated currents of charging cables can be simulated to 63 amp.
Tests are provided for RCDs type A, type ac up to 1000 mA and type B. By using the RCDX10 accessory with external jaws provided with the instrument, 10 A RCDs may be tested. Insulation tests can be made at up to 1000 V as well as continuity tests at 200 mA and total ground resistance. With appropriate programming, guided by the touch-screen system, this device can test power interruption, tripping currents, I2t for magneto-thermal switches (MCB) with curves B, C, D, K, and fuses type gG and aM.
Other tests include Loop/Line impedance measurements and assumed short-circuit current with high resolution (0,1 mΩ) in TN systems using the optional accessory TIMP57. By using optional external probes, the MACROEVTEST can also measure environmental parameters such as air temperature, humidity and illuminance (Lux). By using an optional transducer, it is also possible to perform measurements of leakage currents, cosphi power factor, power and harmonics. The rechargeable NiMH battery is supplied with an external charger.
“The MACROEVTEST TFT colour display with its touchscreen allows for rapid setting and use of the instrument, showing on its display all alternatives for performance measurements. The system prompts the most suitable connections to certify correct and reliable test results. All tests can be saved and the data can be transferred via WiFi or optical USB to an external PC,” explains Burger.
Enquiries: www.hellermanntyton.co.za
