You can edit the settings of a charge point in this dialog.
Id #
This ID is automatically assigned by the system. For a new charge point, the field is empty until it has been saved.
Name #
Name under which the charge point is displayed in the system.
Comment #
For free use by the integrator/system operator.
Identity/Type #
The identity is the technical name of the charge point. The identity is used to identify the charge point when it connects to the system. Only identities recorded in the system are accepted when a charge point wants to connect to the system. A random identity is automatically entered when it is created.
The type specifies which technology (interface) is used by the charge point. In the third combo box you set whether it is a DC or AC charging station.
Charging points #
Specifies the number of charging plugs at the charge point (i.e. how many vehicles can be plugged in at the same time). The usual wallboxes only have 1 charging point.
Min. charging current #
The minimum current with which the charge point can charge. This information can be found in the charge point manufacturer’s data sheet. If this value is set too low, the charge point may not be able to charge.
Fuse #
The maximum charging current permitted for the charge point and the electrical installation. If this value exceeds the physical limits of the electrical installation, the fuse may be tripped and/or damage may occur. The maximum charging current is stated in the manufacturer’s data sheet, but the permissible value may be lower due to the conditions of the electrical installation. Clarify this with the electrician. For charge points with several charging points (charging plugs), this value refers to the maximum permissible current for all charging points together (e.g. 2 plugs 32 amps each, but circuit only fused with 32 amps -> 32 amps).
The lower value must always be entered:
a.) Value of the fuse
b.) Product of the number of charging points multiplied by the maximum current per charging point (data sheet)
Automatic loading/badge #
Controls whether the charge point should automatically charge a connected vehicle without the user having to identify themselves with a badge. If the checkbox is set, a badge must be specified that is used for all charging processes (billing and charging profile of this badge are used). This option is intended for situations where the charge point is not accessible to unauthorized persons (e.g. in your own garage) and no differentiation between different users is necessary.
If this option is activated, a vehicle is automatically charged after the cable is plugged in without further user interaction.
Max. Charging power #
If this value is set, all charging points of the charge point are shut down if the power is exceeded. This value is not a safeguard against overcurrent; it can be exceeded for a short time if necessary. It can be used to artificially limit the charge point to an average power per charge point. If the value is not specified or is greater than the power permitted by the charge point, the maximum charging power is set automatically. You should only set this value if you want to artificially limit the charging power.
Parking sensor #
A channel for a parking sensor can be added here, which indicates whether the parking space in front of the charging station is occupied. If this channel is specified, it controls whether a vehicle is displayed in the visualization or not if the charging station is in a state where it is not clear whether a vehicle is plugged in.
Channels #
Here the charge point can be connected to channels in which the respective value of charging plug no. 1 is output. This can be used for control or visualization. All information is optional. Depending on the technology and capabilities of the charge point, not all values may be supplied.
The start/stop channels are inputs that trigger the respective function on the charge point when a change is made to true. A badge must be specified for Auto charge, even if the checkbox is not set.
Connect the charge point to the system #
The first step is to enter the charge point in the system.
OCPP #
If you have not yet created an OCPP interface in the system, create an OCPP interface now. Make a note of the URL that you have assigned to the interface (default is /ocpp). You only need one OCPP interface for any number of OCPP charge points. You must also ensure that the charge point is connected to a network from which an X2B client can be reached (you can check this with a web browser on a device in the network. If you access the X2B login from the charge point’s network, a connection is possible).
For OCPP charge points, you must then store the URL with the charge point app in the charge point. The URL is made up of the protocol ws:// (WebSocket) plus the address of the X2B client (IP address + port if port 80 is not used), the URL of the OCPP interface and the identity of the charge point, e.g:
X2B client address/port: 192.168.178.123:8080
OCPP interface URL: /ocpp
Identity: WALLBOX1
then the URL is: ws://192.168.178.123:8080/ocpp and the identity WALLBOX1, or if the URL must contain the identity ws://192.168.178.123:8080/ocpp/WALLBOX1 (you can tell which type of specification is required by whether or not there is a separate field for the identity in the configuration for the chargepoint).
It is possible to connect an OCPP charge point via the X2B proxy (not recommended as this places an additional load on your Internet connection and represents an additional point of failure: No internet = failure of the charge point!). The URL must then be wss://boxname.x2.energy/ocpp/WALLBOX1 (i.e. your box address replaces IP+port). Please note that the protocol changes from ws:// (WebSocket) to wss:// (WebSocket Secure) as the proxy only allows secure connections. Only connect a charge point via proxy if you have no other way of connecting the charge point to the local network. To connect charge points in a separate but physically local network, make better use of the additional network connections on the X2B-Box (create a client for the network interface accordingly).
Regardless of the connection variant, we recommend that identities are handled as secret and that no easily guessable names are used, as a denial-of-service attack scenario is possible if the identity is known (if unauthorized persons gain access to the network).
For the port specification (:8080 in the example above): The port does not need to be specified if the port is 80 (for ws://) or 443 (for wss:// or when connecting via the proxy).
It is also not recommended to connect charge points via Sim card/4G and proxy as this can incur costs for the resulting traffic (OCPP-J connections are persistent and permanently active, small amounts of data are constantly exchanged which can quickly add up). Problems with connection failures can also occur more frequently. If it is unavoidable to connect via Sim card/4G, choose a reliable mobile provider with good network coverage at the location and plan with several 100MB data volume per month. If you want to connect several ChargePoints at the same location, assess beforehand whether a fixed connection (DSL/cable etc.) at the location is not the cheaper option.
