EV Charging Terminology

Radio Frequency Identification is a contactless identification method commonly used with RFID cards, fobs or tags to authorise charging. It is normally assessed alongside authorisation method, user experience, accessibility, payment flow and support requirements.

Randomised delay is a smart charging function that delays charging by a random period to reduce simultaneous demand spikes. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

Rapid charging generally refers to higher-power charging intended to add significant range in a shorter period, commonly using DC infrastructure. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Rated current is the maximum current a charger or electrical component is designed to carry under specified conditions. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Rated voltage is the nominal voltage range for which a charger or component is designed to operate. It is normally assessed alongside phase availability, circuit capacity, protective devices, cable sizing and DNO/site constraints.

RCD Type A is a residual current device type designed to detect AC residual current and pulsating DC residual current. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

RCD Type B is a residual current device type capable of detecting AC, pulsating DC and smooth DC residual currents. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

RCD Type F is a residual current device type intended for certain single-phase circuits with frequency components, such as some equipment using variable-speed drives. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Remote monitoring allows charger status, faults, sessions and performance data to be viewed without attending site. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

A Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent combines residual current protection and overcurrent protection in one device. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a protective device that disconnects a circuit when it detects an imbalance between live conductors that may indicate earth leakage current. In EV charging, RCD selection must consider AC residual current, possible DC residual current and the protection already built into the charger.

Residual current protection detects imbalance between live conductors and disconnects the supply when leakage current may indicate an electric shock risk. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

A Residual Direct Current Detecting Device detects residual DC current in Mode 3 EV charging equipment. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

A router connects local network devices to each other and to wider networks such as the internet. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Scheduled charging allows charging to start, stop or prioritise at specific times set by the user, vehicle, charger or backend. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

A Self-Funded Model is an EV charging commercial arrangement in which the site owner, host or customer funds the capital cost of the charging infrastructure rather than relying on CPO capital. The funder may own the charging assets and can separately procure installation, backend, maintenance, payment and CPO services. Commercial structures vary, and a self-funded site can still appoint a CPO to operate the network.

A server is a system that provides services, data or applications to clients, including charger management platforms and backend systems. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

A shuttered socket includes a mechanical shutter or barrier over live contacts when no plug is inserted. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

A SIM card identifies a device on a mobile network and enables cellular data connectivity for compatible chargers. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Simultaneous charging means more than one vehicle can charge at the same time from a multi-outlet charger or grouped charger system. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

Single-phase charging uses a single-phase AC supply, commonly found in many UK domestic and small commercial installations. It is normally assessed alongside phase availability, circuit capacity, protective devices, cable sizing and DNO/site constraints.

Smart charging adjusts charging behaviour based on time, grid conditions, tariffs, user settings or available capacity. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

Standard or slow charging describes lower-power charging, typically associated with domestic or long-dwell AC charging. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Standard Plus or fast charging describes higher-power AC charging, often around 7 kW to 22 kW depending on supply and charger capability. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Static load management applies fixed charging limits or predefined capacity allocations rather than continuously responding to measured site load. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

A support page is an online manufacturer or provider page for help, technical support, FAQs, downloads or contact routes. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

Surge protection reduces the risk of damage from transient overvoltages caused by lightning, switching events or network disturbances. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

A network switch connects multiple wired Ethernet devices on a local network. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.