Installing a charging station on an IT network or net without a "neutral"
Overview
Alfen charging stations are typically designed to work on energy networks that incorporated a 'Neutral'.
With some restrictions operation on networks without a neutral is possible as well.
With some restrictions operation on networks without a neutral is possible as well.
Charging electric vehicles requires the correct voltage levels between the phases (power lines) and the neutral conductor.
Vehicles need a voltage of 230V per phase, which means that the following scenario must be present:
VL1-N = 230V
VL2-N = 230V
VL3-N = 230V
VPE-N = 0V
Vehicles need a voltage of 230V per phase, which means that the following scenario must be present:
VL1-N = 230V
VL2-N = 230V
VL3-N = 230V
VPE-N = 0V
In a regular TT or TN grid, these voltages must apply.
The charging station can monitor the quality of your electricity supply using the 'StrictPEMeasurementEnabled' configuration option.
When switched on, the quality of the ground connection is monitored. By default, this option is disabled to enable installation in a grid without neutral conductor.
The charging station can monitor the quality of your electricity supply using the 'StrictPEMeasurementEnabled' configuration option.
When switched on, the quality of the ground connection is monitored. By default, this option is disabled to enable installation in a grid without neutral conductor.
In the case of an IT network or network without neutral, the above conditions cannot be met.
One of the phases must then be used as an alternative to the neutral line. In this case, three-phase charging is no longer possible.
One of the phases must then be used as an alternative to the neutral line. In this case, three-phase charging is no longer possible.
| The phase-to-phase voltage cannot be 400V if one of the phases is connected to the neutral connection of the charging station. This results in an overvoltage error. |
Which phase can best be used as an alternative to the neutral line?
First examine whether the voltage between phase L1, L2 or L3 and the earth conductor (PE) is approximately 0VAC. This is the preferred scenario for charging most vehicles. Possible scenarios are:
(L1-PE) ≈ 0V, or
(L2-PE) ≈ 0V, or
(L3-PE) ≈ 0V
Whichever L(1/2/3)-PE combination results in ≈ 0V, can be used as an alternative neutral line.
Which phase should I use if I cannot find 0V?
Then in principle you may select any phase to connect to the N terminal of the charging station. We also recommend the following:
- Eve Single; use L3 to connect to the N terminal of the charging station.
- Eve Double; use L2 to connect the N terminal of the charging station.
The configuration parameter 'StrictPEMeasurementEnabled' must then always remain on 'False'.
| In the ACE Service Installer | In the MyEve app |
Do NOT tick the checkbox
| Alfen charging stations operate on networks without neutral, but when charging you are still dependent on the vehicle. Not all vehicles support this type of grid. In that case it is not possible to charge. If a vehicle refuses to charge, please refer to the vehicle's manual. |