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How to start charging after the charging station has been installed
 
Overview
This article describes the different methods to start a charging session on an Alfen charger.
 
Whether charging can take place immediately after installation depends on the 'authorization method' set in the charging station. 
There are two options:
 
Plug & Charge authorization:
This applies to a standalone charging station with Plug&Charge factory settings or when the charging point is set to Plug&Charge authorization during installation.
Charging can be done immediately after installation is complete.
The charging cable can be plugged into a vehicle and the charging process will start automatically.
 
It may not be possible to charge right away when the charging station is also set to communicate with a back office.
If the Plug&Charge ID is not set as a valid ID in the back office, the charging station will activate the charging process, but will then receive the command to stop the charging process. 
The log will show that the ID is 'rejected'. The ID must be made valid in the back office. It is also possible to add a valid card number to a 'Plug&Charge' ID trough the ACE Service Installer. 
You can find this option under the 'Authorization' tab in the ACE Service Installer.

 

RFID authorization:
When the charging station uses the RFID pass reader, it is necessary to use a charge card before charging can start.
It depends on the configuration of the charging station whether the charging cards will be accepted immediately:

  • An 'offline' or 'standalone' (without a back office) charging station usually accepts all valid charge cards.
    Most charging stations receive the factory setting: 'Offline behavior = accept all cards'.
     
  • A charging station that is set up to communicate with a back office accepts the passes that are considered valid by the back office. Contact your Chargepoint Operator to add your charge card to the valid charge card list.
     
  • A charging station that uses the 'Master Key' functionality works in a different way.
    See "How does the 'Master Key' functionality work?".
 
Keywords: Start, Session, P&C, Plug, Charge.