Technical requirements
Charging station installation involves more than just installing a charging station. Technical regulations apply to electrical installation, safety, communication protocols and future-proofing. Below we provide an overview of the most important requirements to be taken into account, each with a view to practical applicability as well as compliance with standards.
Electrical connection & grid capacity
Type of mains connection
For businesses, this is usually a three-phase connection to medium voltage (400 V). For smaller installations, a single-phase or three-phase connection to low voltage is sometimes sufficient.
- Load capacity (kW) determines grid impact. A 22 kW charging point requires 32A per phase.
- With multiple charge points, load balancing is essential to avoid spikes.
Capacity Assessment
We always start with a consumption analysis of your existing connection. This allows us to determine:
- Whether the existing grid connection is sufficient,
- Whether an attenuation is needed (e.g. application through Fluvius, ORES or Sibelga),
- or dynamic energy management can help avoid aggravation.
Security and grounding
According to the General Regulations on Electrical Installations (AREI), the following elements are mandatory:
- Differential switch of 30 mA per charge point.
- Automatic fuse tailored to load capacity.
- Specific grounding of the charging system, with potential equalization.
- Type B ground fault circuit breakers (for DC leakage detection) are required for some types of charging stations without built-in leakage current detection.
For each installation, an AREI inspection by an approved inspection body is mandatory before commissioning.
Communication protocols and connectivity
For future-oriented applications such as smart charging, settlement or energy management, connectivity is crucial.
- OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is the standard for communication between charging station and management system. We always choose charging stations with OCPP 1.6 or 2.0.
- Internet connection (Ethernet or 4G) is required for monitoring and updates.
- Charging points preferably communicate with a cloud platform for real-time data, load balancing and automatic reporting.
Smart charging & load balancing
Smart charging points can:
- automatically adjust payload based on available power (Dynamic Load Management),
- Prioritize certain users (e.g., company vehicles over visitors),
- charging based on peak prices or availability of solar power (PV integration).
This requires software compatible with your energy management system in addition to smart hardware.
Building and environmental requirements
Charging points must be firmly and securely integrated:
- Mounting on wall, floor or pole depending on the situation.
- Collision protection (e.g., parking brackets or concrete blocks).
- Weatherproof housing (at least IP54 and IK10).
- Sufficient lighting for ease of use and safety.
- Accessibility (e.g., for persons with reduced mobility) according to the Region's guidelines.
Technical properties of charging points
We work exclusively with quality AC charging points (for normal and semi-fast charging) with the following characteristics:
| Feature | Standard / Value |
|---|---|
| Connection | 230V/400V - mono or 3-phase |
| Load capacities | 3.7 - 22 kW per connection |
| Plug type | Type 2 (standard in Europe) |
| Housing | Aluminum |
| IP protection | Minimum IP54 |
| Communications | OCPP 1.6/2.0, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 4G |
| Smart charging | Load balancing, dynamic pricing, etc. |
Standards and guidelines
The main standards and guidelines that an installation must meet:
- IEC 61851: International standard for EV charging systems.
- IEC 62196: For connectors and plugs (Type 1, Type 2).
- AREI: Belgian regulations for electrical installations.
- ISO 15118: For Plug&Charge functionality (emerging).
- CE marking and EMC standards: For interference-free operation.
Practical approach
At Evolut-ion, we tailor the technical approach to:
- Current and future vehicle fleet.
- The desired charging time and frequency of use.
- The building's electrical infrastructure.
- Possible expansion opportunities.
We guide your technical choices from analysis to completion, ensuring that your installation complies with all applicable regulations.