I am writing this column in quality; as a representative of the international standardization committees of which I am a member.
FYI – Christoph Erni, founder and CEO of Juice Technology AG, since 2015 & egrave; member of the Swiss committee for standards IEC 61851 (fixed chargers) and IEC 62752 (portable chargers). Since 2019 he has also been a member of the German associated committee and since 2017 of the international committee for the standardization of portable charging stations.
witnessed a proliferation of articles bearing instructions on how to build charging stations yourself . These articles, so like some technically inadequate finished products on the market, they arouse some concern in us regulators. In countless hours of intense work sessions, specialists around the world strive to standardize the minimum requirements for making safe products. Charging infrastructures should not endanger human lives : this is; the priority absolute of the committees IEC 61851 (for fixed charging stations) and IEC 62752 (for mobile charging stations). And it is; even more; sad to see that there are both kits and entire charging stations that do not care about standards, simply do not meet the minimum requirements and, nevertheless, deceptively (not to say fraudulently) affix the CE mark.
WHAT? THE POINT?
Mobility electric & egrave; a great thing, but it involves a great amount & agrave; of electricity high power . In order to ensure that the use of these devices is safe, & egrave; Many safety aspects need to be taken into account. It is no coincidence that the regulatory booklets for charging stations are over a centimeter thick. Products that fully meet all applicable standards and tests are allowed to CE mark devices under their own responsibility.
WHERE ARE THE PROBLEMS?
First of all, in the last point: unfortunately, even in the case of really complex products such as charging stations, self-declaration is necessary; enough. Good manufacturers have their products tested and validated by neutral external institutes such as T & Uuml; V or VDE. But there are also charlatans that, for example, are limited to carrying out a test of the utility model, which does not guarantee compliance; to the legislation, but limits itself to saying that the product can & ograve; be used for the designated purpose. There are even offers that deliberately refer to expired standards or stations, whose components are not even approved for wall-mounted charging stations.
Then there are stations that are not dangerous, but cheat on the price . Some of them do not include the mandatory parts and must be retrofitted, at great cost, by the electrician who installs them in the building's distribution system. In addition, the cable is missing at many charging points. For the user, this means 300 euros more. compared to the price of the charging station. & Egrave; a pity that even the automobile associations fall into these traps and then choose the wrong station as the winner. (And my judgment is neutral, as none of our stations were included in this test.)
Finally, unfortunately there is no effective market surveillance . Both incomplete and dangerous kits, as well as unauthorized charging stations are not criticized n & eacute; withdrawn from the market. & Egrave; evident that our sector is; still too young and that the authorities they do not have sufficient knowledge. For the customer, this means finding dangerous (often cheap) products in-store right next to safe and elaborately developed stations. What will I choose, if you think everything is identical?
WHAT CAN YOU? TO DO?
We need to clarify . In quality by representative of the standardization committees , I appeal to the media so that & eacute; explain to electric vehicle drivers where the cheap ends and where the dangerous begins.
For comparison, we have all heard of young people electrocuted while playing in the bathtub with their cell phones charged. One of my colleagues on the standardization committee has shown that the standard dictates exactly how far the creepage distance must be in the charging parts and that, therefore, original equipment manufacturers produce safe devices. But low-cost producers, obviously with the CE mark, do not respect it and put young lives at risk.
& Egrave; It is unbearable to see that here, in Europe, dangerous products can be sold with impunity. Mobility electric is really taking off. We must have the courage to call the black sheep by name and to impose the withdrawal of products. Producers who endanger their customers must be held accountable for their actions.
Last but not least: no, don't trust the 250 euro kits . Is not serious; You can get the components for a serious and future-proof charging station at that price.
This column is; curated by Christoph Erni, founder and CEO of Juice Technology AG, a Swiss manufacturer of charging stations and solutions. He has always had a practical inclination, so much so that he dropped out of school shortly before high school graduation; to follow a business administration course at the university, and then move on to the IT sector soon after. But this was not enough for Christoph Erni: he wanted more! About 20 years ago he founded his company he & agrave; consulting firm, Erni Associates AG.
In 2014, noting the lack of suitable charging solutions, he decided to enter the manufacturing sector and founded Juice Technology AG. In its first year of activity, the company became established. secured pole position in this segment with the 22 kW Juice Booster 1 portable charging station, and has been since then; remained there.
Christoph Erni , founder and CEO of Juice Technology
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