UK EVSE manufacturer EO Charging has launched a self-contained unit that adds automatic load management capabilities to the company’s “non-smart” chargers.

The eoALM module is aimed at multiple-EV households, apartment complexes and businesses with small plug-in fleets. When combined with one of EO’s eoMini or eoBasic chargers, the unit constantly monitors the energy profile of a building, and can prioritize charging of EVs, turn down the power going to EV chargers, or turn them off if the site is nearing its power usage limit.

The eoALM can connect up to six eoMini or eoBasic chargers. It is powered through the serial connection to the charging stations, and measures the current supply every second using a single current transformer clamp. It offers two modes of operation: Priority charging, which works on a first come first served basis; and Distribution mode, in which available current is evenly distributed to all connected vehicles.

There are two different model variants: The EA001 (High Power) offers current levels of 100, 80, 60 or 40 amps; and the EA002 (Low Power) offers 40, 32, 25 or 20 amps.

“Most buildings don’t have sufficient power to fast charge multiple EVs simultaneously,” said EO Charging CTO Richard Earl. “Homeowners are likely to exceed their energy usage limit if they have more than one EV plugged in whilst trying to cook dinner, watch TV or turn the washing machine on. The only solutions currently available are to invest in either an expensive upgrade to a site’s power supply, or smart-charging infrastructure – a cost-prohibitive option for most domestic EV drivers and small business owners. Not only does the eoALM unit save on upfront capital investment, but it can also prevent home-owners from drawing further power during spikes in energy usage, which is often at the most expensive time of the day.”

Source: EO Charging