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How to check the Active Load Balancing functionality
 
This guide helps troubleshoot Active Load Balancing issues in Alfen charging stations. It explains how to check if the feature is causing charging problems
 

In some cases, Active Load Balancing may cause charging issues. It is one of the Smart Charging features developed by Alfen, and these features are paid options. Customers can either purchase an Alfen charging station with unlocked features or buy Smart Charging features for their existing stations. After purchasing, Alfen will provide a license key. The customer is responsible for unlocking the feature on the product.

Smart Charging features can be unlocked through the ACE Service Installer or via a back office. To unlock a feature, enter the provided license key in the charging station's configuration.

Follow these steps to determine if Active Load Balancing is causing your charging issue.

 
 
Step 1
First, check the basic items that allow Active Load Balancing to work properly.
 
  • Make sure that the Active Load Balancing feature is active (the license key is unlocked) in the ACE Service Installer, The MyEve app or in the Backoffice.
    • Check ACE installer -> Information -> General -> License key
      Example:

       
    • Check My Eve -> Advanced -> license key
      Example:


       
    • Check via Backoffice configuration keys -> Feature License key and unlocked features
      Example:


       
  • With P1 smart meter must comply to either DSMR 4.0 or ESMR 5.0, the maximum cable length no more than 20m, and specific P1 splitters may not always work.
     
  • Is the TCP/IP modbus meter installed within the same IP range as the Charger(s), has the slave address correctly been set in the energy meter and configuration of the charger? Are the register mappings set correctly, check the manual from the supplier for the settings. In some instances we have presets for configure the modbus meter, check if these presets have been used and are correct.
     
  • Is the correct protocol selected? The protocol should be either modbus over TCP/IP or P1.
     
Step 2
  • Check if data is being received from the energy meter.
     
    • MyEve app: monitor->voltage and check for smart meter voltages.
       
    • MyEve app: monitor-> current; in some cases this could be zero unless a load is drawn from the charger, depending on the position of the smart meter within the installation.
       
    • ACE Service Installer: the same items could be checked as for the MyEve app.
      Live monitoring->Voltages
      Live monitoring->Currents
       
    • For Modbus TCP/IP meters there is also a test smart meter option that polls the connection once. If correct, a power value should be shown (depending on the position of the energy meter in the installation. Recommend checking the earlier mentioned values in the live monitoring). 
 
Step 3
If in any way possible, try to test without Active Load Balancing. For safe operation the socket maximum could be temporary lowered for the test.
 
 
More information
More data regarding active load balancing or Modbus registers can be found here: 'How do I configure the Smart Charging functionalities such as Active Load Balancing and Smart Charging Network?'
Keywords: Check, ALB, Loadbalancing, Active