Resource Hub

Yes, provided the chargers and associated systems support remote access and the network has been correctly configured. Planit Charge builds secure remote connectivity into its communications solutions, allowing many faults, configuration issues and charger settings to be investigated without immediately requiring a site visit.

In many cases, yes. Smart load management can dynamically manage the power available to EV chargers alongside the building’s existing electrical demand. Solutions such as AC Easy Charge are designed to optimise available capacity, potentially avoiding or delaying costly electrical infrastructure upgrades.

Yes. Planit Charge can supply load management, communications and control equipment pre-programmed and configured to the project requirements before it reaches site. This reduces specialist setup for the electrician, with final integration, testing and commissioning completed once the switchboard and chargers are installed.

Potentially. Compatible digital meters already installed in switchboards may be able to communicate with a central monitoring platform. Planit Charge can review the installed metering, configure compatible devices and commission the communications network and EnergyHub platform to bring the system together.

In some projects, yes. Where sufficient capacity exists at certain times, dynamic load management can allow EV charging to operate around the building’s other electrical loads. Planit Charge can assess the project requirements and configure a load management solution that makes effective use of available capacity, potentially avoiding or deferring costly electrical upgrades.

Not necessarily. An assessment may identify existing capacity that can be used for EV charging, particularly when charging demand can be managed around other building loads. Planit Charge looks at these options before recommending major upgrades, helping building owners understand what is actually required before committing to significant expenditure.

Not necessarily. A charging system can use dedicated communications infrastructure and a cellular connection rather than relying on the building’s corporate network. Planit Charge can configure a dedicated 4G solution where appropriate, providing an independent connection for charger communications and ongoing remote support.

For the individual energy data required under J9D3 for applicable buildings over 2,500 m², the meters must be interconnected by a communications system that collates the data into a single interface. Planit Charge can integrate compatible meters through a central gateway and configure Schneider Electric EnergyHub to provide central monitoring and reporting.

Yes, quite a lot. Chargers exposed to heat, dust, moisture, salt air or other harsh conditions may require more frequent inspection, cleaning and maintenance. High-traffic locations can also increase wear on charging cables and connectors. Your maintenance schedule should take both the charger and its operating environment into account.

The appropriate method depends on the building and electrical arrangement. Options can include individual metering, connection behind an existing dwelling meter where practical, or a charging management platform that records individual charging sessions. Planit Charge can assess the property and recommend an appropriate approach for identifying, monitoring and billing individual users.

Depending on the system and site requirements, EV chargers may communicate over Ethernet, Wi-Fi or cellular connections such as 4G. Planit Charge can provide and configure the communications infrastructure required to connect the chargers, load management, metering and backend systems.

EV readiness depends on more than whether there is space to install a charger. The building’s electrical capacity, historical peak demand, switchboards, distribution infrastructure, carpark layout, metering and communications should all be considered, together with current and expected future charging demand.

Dynamic load management monitors building demand and adjusts the power available to EV chargers in response. When more capacity is available, charging power can increase. When other building loads rise, charging can be reduced to keep the site within its nominated electrical limits.

There is no single figure that applies to every building. The required capacity depends on factors including the number of chargers, charger ratings, expected charging patterns, existing building demand and how charging is managed. Planit Charge assesses these factors to determine what the existing infrastructure can support and where additional infrastructure may be required.

As a general guide, DC EV chargers should receive a comprehensive service at least every 12 months. Because DC fast chargers operate at higher power levels and can include cooling systems and other components requiring maintenance, servicing requirements may vary according to usage, environment and manufacturer specifications.

As a general guide, commercial AC EV chargers should be serviced every 6–12 months, depending on usage, location and operating conditions. For lower-use residential chargers, servicing intervals may extend to 2–3 years, depending on the charger and manufacturer’s requirements. High-use chargers or those exposed to harsh environments may require more frequent maintenance.

A building-wide approach should consider electrical capacity, parking arrangements, current and future demand, shared infrastructure, approvals, load management, metering, billing and ongoing management. Planit Charge brings these elements together into a clear roadmap that can help inform future infrastructure planning, budgets and approvals.

It doesn’t have to be. Planit Charge’s AC Easy Charge solution is preconfigured and pre-commissioned, reducing the programming and configuration required on site. Installers can mount the equipment, connect the required power and data cabling, and get the system up and running quickly.

It depends on how your site will be used. AC charging is generally the best fit for residential, workplace and long-stay parking, while DC fast charging suits dealerships, retail locations, commercial fleets and other sites where faster turnaround is important. Planit Charge can assess your site, available power and charging requirements to recommend the right solution.

For applicable buildings or sole-occupancy units over 500 m², NCC 2022 J9D3 requires meters configured to record time-of-use gas and electricity consumption. Buildings over 2,500 m² have additional requirements for separately recording specified major services and bringing that data through a communications system to a single monitoring interface. Planit Charge can configure and commission the metering, communications and monitoring infrastructure required for applicable projects.

For applicable buildings over 2,500 m², J9D3 identifies services including air-conditioning, artificial lighting, appliance power, central hot water, certain lifts and other internal transport, renewable energy, EV charging, battery systems and other ancillary plant. The exact requirements depend on the building and relevant exemptions.

NCC 2022 J9D4 includes requirements for dedicated EV distribution boards in applicable carparks associated with Class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9 buildings. It also includes requirements around charging control, future charger capacity and provision for individual sub-circuit metering. Planit Charge can help switchboard builders incorporate the specialist EV charging, load management and communications requirements into their package.

It depends on the charger and system configuration. Some charging functions may continue locally, while services that depend on a backend connection, such as remote monitoring, some authentication methods or payment processing, may be unavailable until communications are restored. A correctly designed communications network can also make identifying and resolving connectivity issues easier.

The available charging capacity is distributed across the connected chargers according to the system configuration. Charging rates may reduce when demand is high, then increase as other vehicles finish charging or additional electrical capacity becomes available.

A charging control system manages and schedules the electrical demand created by connected EV chargers. Under NCC 2022 J9D4, applicable dedicated EV distribution boards must connect to a system capable of managing charging in response to total building demand. Planit Charge provides Schneider Electric load management systems that can be integrated into EV-ready switchboard solutions.

An EV charging load management system controls the electrical capacity available to a group of EV chargers. It manages charging demand within nominated site limits, helping prevent EV charging from exceeding the capacity available from the building’s electrical infrastructure. Planit Charge designs and commissions Schneider Electric Load Management Systems to suit the requirements of each site.

An EV distribution board is an electrical distribution board dedicated to supplying EV charging infrastructure. It provides a central point from which charging circuits can be distributed and can incorporate or interface with metering, load management and communications equipment.

An EV readiness assessment examines a building’s existing infrastructure and identifies what may be required to accommodate EV charging. Planit Charge assesses electrical capacity, switchboards, distribution, load management, metering, communications, billing requirements and carpark layout to develop a practical roadmap for the property.

Energy monitoring measures and records how energy is being used across a building. Rather than relying only on the main incoming meter, a monitoring system can provide visibility of individual services such as air-conditioning, lighting, general power, lifts, EV charging and other major electrical loads.

Energy submetering uses additional meters to measure the consumption of individual services, equipment or areas within a building. This provides more detailed information than the main incoming meter and allows building operators to better understand where and when energy is being used.

EV charger servicing can include visual inspection and cleaning, electrical and functional testing, checking cables and connectors, cooling systems and filters, diagnostics, firmware updates and simulated charging-session testing. The exact requirements depend on the charger type, manufacturer and installation.

OCPP stands for Open Charge Point Protocol. It is an open communications protocol used between compatible EV chargers and central charge point management systems. OCPP can support functions such as charger monitoring, session management, remote commands and firmware updates, depending on the charger, platform and OCPP version being used.

An EV-ready switchboard provides the electrical and supporting infrastructure needed for EV charging now or in the future. Depending on the application, this can include dedicated EV distribution, circuit capacity, metering provision, load management, communications and control equipment.

Our support doesn’t end once your chargers are installed. Planit Charge provides ongoing technical support, servicing, maintenance, remote monitoring and firmware upgrades to help keep your charging infrastructure reliable and performing as intended over the long term.

If your EV charger develops a fault, stop using it if there are any signs of damage, overheating or an electrical issue, and contact a qualified provider like Planit Charge. We can diagnose charger faults, communications issues and equipment failures, identify the cause and take the appropriate corrective action.

We also carry out comprehensive electrical and functional testing, diagnostics and firmware checks to help get your charger safely back in service.

The design should consider charger numbers and ratings, available electrical capacity, dedicated EV distribution, metering, load management, communications and future expansion. Planit Charge works with switchboard builders to specify and configure the specialist EV infrastructure, helping simplify this part of the switchboard package.

Static load management sets a fixed amount of electrical capacity aside for EV charging. Dynamic load management responds to actual site demand, varying the capacity available to chargers as other electrical loads change. This can make more effective use of the building’s available power.

AC charging is typically used where vehicles are parked for longer periods, such as apartments, workplaces and commercial properties. Power is supplied to the vehicle’s onboard charger, making it ideal for convenient everyday charging. DC fast charging delivers power directly to the vehicle’s battery at much higher rates, making it better suited to locations where drivers need to recharge quickly.

Load management becomes particularly important when multiple chargers share limited electrical capacity, such as in apartment buildings, workplaces, commercial properties and fleet facilities. Planit Charge can help electricians determine the appropriate load management approach and provide the programmed, configured and commissioned system required for the project.

Planit Charge provides servicing and maintenance for a wide range of AC and DC EV charger brands, including Schneider Electric, ABB, Tritium, Kempower, Autel, Delta, Wallbox, Siemens, EVBox, Ocular and Smappee, among others.

Your charger not listed here? Talk to our team about the make and model and we’ll confirm how we can help.

Networked EV charging systems use communications to connect chargers with load management, metering and charge point management platforms. Reliable connectivity can also support remote monitoring, configuration, diagnostics, firmware updates, user authentication and billing.

As a certified Schneider Electric EcoXpert, Planit Charge has specialist expertise in Schneider Electric technology and access to the technical support behind it. This helps us deliver high-quality EV charging and energy management solutions designed for reliability, efficiency and long-term performance.

Preventative maintenance helps identify wear, electrical issues, damaged components and developing faults before they cause a charger to fail. For commercial sites, fleets and public charging infrastructure, this can reduce unplanned downtime and help keep chargers safe, reliable and performing as intended.