Fluke introduced its new FEV300 Electric Vehicle Charging StationAdapter tool for testing electric vehicle charging stations.
Designed to simulate an electric vehicle connected to a charging station, the easy-to-use adapter enables safe and accurate verification of the output voltage of an AC charging station operating in Mode 3 with Type 1 and Type 2 connectors in accordance with IEC/HD 60364-7-722 and IEC/EN 61851-1 standards.
The growth of e-mobility
There are currently about 20 million electric vehicles on the roads, globally, according to the Annual Electrical Vehicle Outlook 2022 research published by Bloomberg.
With rising fuel prices and new energy-saving regulations introduced in many countries, the adoption of electric vehicles as an alternative to gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles is expected to increase dramatically.
Bloomberg predicts that the market share of electric vehicles in total new vehicle sales will grow by 40-50% in the UK, France and Germany by 2025.
Charging stationsare key to reducing vehicle charging time.
A typical compact vehicle can take between 24 and 36 hours to be recharged from a household electrical outlet.
Instead, a charging station provides single-phase or three-phase power at 230 V or 400 V line voltage, charging electric vehicles much faster.
For safety reasons, communication between the charging station and the connected electric vehicle must take place before an output voltage is delivered.
Adapters, such as Fluke's new FEV300 model, are critical tools for properly performing all the required testing during installation and periodic mandatory de perform on Mode 3 fast charging stations from 3.7 kW to 22 kW.
Simple, safe and reliable
Testing of charging columns should be carried out at regular intervals.
There are local safety regulations to comply with, as well as international and European standards, including IEC/HD 60364-6, IEC/HD 60364-7-722 and IEC/EN 61851-1, to which compliance must also be demonstrated during installation and testing.
Both the safety and communication functions of a charging station must be thoroughly verified to ensure the safety and efficiency of the electric system for safe use by electric vehicle owners.
Required tests include conductor continuity, insulation resistance, automatic power disconnection (loop impedance, RCD or RDC-DD residual current device tests), and functional tests.
All tests defined by the standards can be performed using a multifunction installation tester, such as the Fluke 1663 or Fluke 1664FC models.
The FEV300 adapter is compatible with Fluke's main multifunction installation testers used in installation and commissioning activities of charging stations and during tests to be carried out as part of routine maintenance.
The FEV300 adapter can also be combined with Fluke's wide range of multimeters and oscilloscopes to perform troubleshooting and repair tasks.
Comments
Hans-Dieter Schuessele, Application & Technology Expert at Fluke said, "The power transferred from a charging station was previously used primarily in industrial environments, whereas now it is delivered directly to private vehicles. Testing these high-power electrical systems at line voltage is critical to ensure the safety of end users and electricians who install and maintain charging stations in full operation."
"The new FEV300 adapter also includes important safety features, such as a tactile electrode function, which quickly displays if there is a fault in the high-risk grounding, and such as improved safety sockets, which have been covered with plastic guards to protect the connectors in wet weather conditions. The safety of Fluke's new FEV300adapter surpasses all other competing products on the present market today."
"The e-mobility market is growing at an exponential rate. Many general electricians are now looking to increase their skills through certified training programs for installing and testing charging stations to meet this demand. We have identified a significant market expectation for an adapter that is easy to use and can be used for the safe installation and commissioning of charging stations, as well as for testing during common periodic maintenance and troubleshooting activities," Schuessele still said.
