What Is the Applied Fallback of a Charging Station?

Setting a fallback value allows you to define an alternative charging capacity for offline operation in case of a connection loss between the charging station and ChargePilot. When a station appears as offline in the ChargePilot Dashboard, this value ensures controlled charging by limiting the power draw to a predefined level instead of the station’s maximum capacity.

Default Fallback Values

• AC charging point: 6 A per phase
• DC charging point: 32 A

These default values can be adjusted in the settings if the station supports the fallback feature (admin rights required).

How the Fallback Works

When a charging station is offline, the configured fallback value takes effect. This value is subtracted from the circuit limit during the offline phase, regardless of whether charging actually occurs at the offline station. This happens because offline stations cannot communicate their status to ChargePilot.

Requirements for Fallback

The fallback function only works if the charging station supports offline charging. Some stations do not allow charging when disconnected from ChargePilot. While most stations support offline charging, it is essential to verify the station’s configuration to ensure compatibility.

Impact of the Fallback

1. With Fallback: The fallback value (e.g., 6 A per phase) is subtracted from the circuit limit, reducing the available power for online charging stations.
2. Without Fallback: The station’s maximum capacity (e.g., 32 A per phase) is subtracted instead, which may significantly restrict power availability for online stations.

Optimizing the Fallback Value

1. Low Fallback Value: Less power is reserved for offline stations, allowing more power for online stations. However, charging at offline stations will be limited to the low fallback value.
2. High Fallback Value: More power is reserved for offline stations, potentially blocking all available power for online stations.

Recommendation

Ensure that the charging station supports offline charging and is properly configured. Choose a fallback value that enables charging at offline stations without unnecessarily limiting the power available to online stations.