As we all know, DC charging is faster than AC charging and serves to meet people's fast charging needs. Of all the charging devices for electric vehicles, 30kW DC chargers stand out due to their quick charging time and high efficiency; we will explore this phenomenon further here and discuss in depth their working principle and charging time as well as safe operation and maintenance procedures for them.
How Does a 30kW DC Electric Vehicle Charger Charge an Electric Vehicle?
A DC car charger works by converting AC electricity to DC through a rectifier and then sending this DC directly to your electric car's battery for charging. To use one, simply insert its charging plug into its port on your EV before initiating the charging station (if your charger supports plug-and-charge mode this step won't need to be manually completed). It works through its process of monitoring battery status and adjusting the output accordingly for safe and efficient charging.
How to Operate a 30kW DC Charger
It is important to understand the operation and maintenance of your 30kw EV charger before purchasing or using it in a public place. Here is my checklist on how to best use and care for your 30 kW charger:
1. Read and understand your operating manual:
After you buy an EV charger online, what arrives at your home is the installation kit as well as the operating manual prepared by your wholesaler. Before using your new EV charger for the first time, make sure you read and understand this operation manual to be familiar with all its steps and safety precautions.
2.Connect the charger correctly:
Before starting charging, make sure that the charging plug is securely fastened into the corresponding slot on the charging port of the EV, is not damaged, and that its capacity (e.g., 20% overcharging) does not exceed any level that could lead to overcharging (i.e., an accidental or excessive overcharging event could occur).
Is a 30kW DC Charger Suitable for Home Charging?
The 30kW DC charger isn't a good charging solution for home. Home charging uses lower-power AC chargers, typically 3–7 kW. 30kW chargers are used in commercial premises, EV car parks, or highway charging stations.
1. Three-phase power requirements:
Three-phase voltage is required to install a 30 kW EV charger. However, most households do not support three-phase electricity (they use single-phase electricity). This will significantly increase the cost if you want to upgrade your electrical infrastructure.
2. Installation complexity:
Installation of 30kW DC chargers can involve more complex electrical engineering work, requiring significant adjustments to higher capacity power supplies and wiring to achieve optimal set-up procedures.
2. High cost:
DC chargers for residential properties tend to be more expensive than AC chargers, and installing them can mean that a homeowner may need to spend thousands of dollars more in additional investment.
3. Rapid Charging Speeds:
Fast charging for electric vehicles doesn't necessarily need to happen quickly in most households. Home AC chargers with lower specific powers may be sufficient in meeting daily home charging needs when used at free times during night-time free periods.
How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge an EV with a 30kW DC Charger?
Estimating the charging time of an EV doesn't need to be difficult: Just calculate its battery capacity, remaining charge, and charger power before entering them into this formula:
The formula for Electric car Charging Time = Battery Capacity multiplied by (100-100% Current Charge Rate). Divide by the charger-rated power (kW).
Example Data: Charging Efficiency = 90%.
Calculation Process: (Low Battery Voltage = 30kWx0.9, or 30kWh x 27 hours of charging time.
Charging Time＝2.22 Hours
About the charging times of this 60 kWh capacity EV with a 30kW charger, approximately 2.22 hours should be needed from zero charge to full battery charge - however, this calculation could change due to other factors like battery health or ambient temperature conditions which impact real charging time.
Comparison Of The Best 30kW DC Chargers On The Market
With so many 30kw DC charger options on the market, electric vehicle drivers may feel overwhelmed and confused when selecting their ideal 30kw DC EV chargers. As an aid for my fellow EV drivers, two 30kw DC EV chargers from Joint (a well-recognized EV charger company) were chosen as examples to use as comparison tools and compare.
Product 1: Joint EVD001
To optimize user charging experiences, the Joint EVD001 boasts an innovative pull-out power module for easier maintenance, an intuitive 7-inch touchscreen interface with Play & Charge feature for simplified use, LTE connectivity via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, two charging guns capable of simultaneously charging two electric vehicles - plus more features to enhance its experience for all.
Product 2: Joint EVD 100
The Joint EVCD100 30kW DC charger boasts an easy maintenance procedure with its pull-out power module for optimal use of charging voltage from 200V up to 1000V for compatible EV models at home, shopping malls, or fleet use.
This Joint EVCD100 30kW DC fast EV charger features a CCS2 standard charging socket and includes a 5-metre cable to enhance users' charging experience. Users will see great benefits by switching over from more costly chargers like the EVD001 and EVD100.
Comparing EVD001 & EVD100: Max Input Current The EVD100 can support up to 45A of current input while 50A of input current can be supported on an EVD001 device.
Socket Types: Both models use CCS Type 1 plugs while the EVD001 incorporates either CCS2*2 or CCS2+CHAdeMO plugs for use.
Compatible Products: Both devices support the OCPP 1.6J protocol.
Simultaneous Charging Capability: Only the EVD001 offers simultaneous charging capability, meaning two electric vehicles can be simultaneously recharged while charging is taking place, unlike this feature is absent on all EVD100 models.
Based on this comparison, if you need to simultaneously charge two electric vehicles at once, EVD001 would be best. Otherwise, for vehicles equipped with CCS Type 1 plugs (such as those from Nissan Leaf or Tesla Model S) the more suitable choice may be EVD100.
|
Feature |
EVD100 |
EVD001 |
| Power | 30kW | 20/30/40kW |
| Charging Range | 200-1000V | 400 Vac ±10% |
| Plug Type | CCS Type 1 | 1*CCS2;2*CCS2 or 1*CCS2+1*CHAdeMO |
| Cable Length | 18 feet | 13 feet Standard; 16 feet Optional |
| Display | 7-inch LED screen | 7-inch touchscreen |
| Compatibility | OCPP 1.6J | OCPP 1.6J |
| Maintenance | Pull-out power module | Pull-out power module |
| Network | LTE, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet | LTE, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet |
| Other Features | / | simultaneous charging for two EVs |
| User Authentication | Plug & Charge / RFID / QR Code | Plug & Play / RFID / QR Code |
Conclusion
In summary, 30kW DC fast chargers are an essential element in meeting the demand for rapid EV charging. While efficient and fast, due to infrastructure and cost restrictions, they're unsuitable for home use. Understanding their operation, and maintenance, and comparing models such as the EVD001 and EVD100 allows users to make more informed decisions and accelerates our path towards a greener automotive future.
Post time: Mar-25-2024