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.