January 28, 2019. Original article posted:

Electrify America’s high-powered DC charging stations are at the cutting edge of EVSE tech – only a couple of current EVs are able to use them at full power. Now a technical problem seems to have come up with the liquid-cooled cables that these ultra-fast chargers rely on.

At the recommendation of its hardware supplier, HUBER+SUHNER, network operator Electrify America has temporarily shut down most of its high-powered (150-350 kW) chargers to investigate a potential safety issue with the cables. HUBER+SUHNERS issued the same recommendation to all its other customers worldwide.

“The safety of our customers is our highest priority,” said Electrify America CEO Giovanni Palazzo. “Out of an abundance of caution, Electrify America is shutting down all of our stations that use the HUBER+SUHNER high-powered cables until we can confirm that they can be operated safely. We are confident that HUBER+SUHNER will investigate and resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”

The shutdown does not affect EA’s 50 kW CCS chargers, its CHAdeMO chargers or its Level 2 chargers. Only stations with liquid-cooled cables are affected. The network provided a list of stations that remain open.

January 30, 2019. Following an investigation and testing, Electrify America announced that it is restoring full capacity to its entire network. Press release:

Electrify America’s nationwide network restored to full capacity after high-power charging cables clear extensive testing

Electrify America is restoring full capacity to its entire network after its high-powered charging cables cleared extensive testing from the cable manufacturer, HUBER+SUHNER.

Out of an abundance of caution and at the recommendation of its supplier, HUBER+SUHNER, a global supply leader of high-powered charging cable technology in the industry, Electrify America shut down many of the high-powered CCS chargers (150kW – 350kW) in its network on Friday while the company and HUBER+SUHNER investigated a potential safety issue.

The recommendation from HUBER+SUHNER came following an isolated event experienced at a private test facility in Europe with an early prototype liquid-cooled cable, similar to those installed on some of Electrify America’s charging dispensers. The shutdown recommendation was issued by HUBER+SUHNER to all customers using liquid-cooled cables worldwide.

“The safety of our customers is our highest priority. Extensive testing throughout the weekend and Monday showed that the cables have met all industry standards for use, and as a result, we are bringing our entire network back to full capacity,” said Giovanni Palazzo, president and CEO of Electrify America. “We thank our customers for their patience as we worked through this, as well as HUBER+SUHNER for making this their top priority and resolving the issue with speed and the highest levels of technical expertise and professionalism.”

Although many of the high-powered CCS chargers (150kW – 350kW) were shut down following notification of the potential safety issue, Electrify America was able to keep all 89 charging stations operational in some capacity, as all charging stations, in addition to the high-powered CCS chargers, have either CHAdeMO, 50kW CCS, or L2 chargers – none of which were affected.

Source: Electrify America