In this dialog you can edit the settings of a charge point.
Id
This Id is assigned automatically by the system. For a new charge point, the field remains empty until it has been saved.
Name
Name under which the charge point is displayed in the system.
Comment
For free use by the integrator/system operator.
Identity/Type
The identity is the technical name of the charge point. The identity is used to identify the charge point when it connects to the system. Only identities registered in the system are accepted when a charge point attempts to connect to the system. When the charge point is created, a random identity is entered automatically. The type specifies which technology (interface) the charge point uses. In the third combo box, you set whether it is a DC or AC charging station.
Charging Points
Specifies the number of charging connectors on the charge point (i.e. how many vehicles can be plugged in at the same time). Typical wallboxes have only 1 charging point.
Min. Charging Current
The minimum current at which the charge point can charge. You can find this value in the manufacturer's data sheet of the charge point. If this value is set too low, the charge point may not be able to charge.
Fuse
The maximum charging current permitted for the charge point and the electrical installation. If this value exceeds the physical limits of the electrical installation, the fuse may trip and/or damage may occur. The maximum charging current is stated in the manufacturer's data sheet, but the permitted value may be lower due to the conditions of the electrical installation. Clarify this with the electrician. For charge points with multiple charging points (charging connectors), this value refers to the maximum permitted current for all charging points combined (e.g. 2 connectors at 32 amperes each, but circuit protected with only 32 amperes -> 32 amperes).
Always enter the smaller of the following values: a.) Fuse rating b.) Number of charging points multiplied by max. current per charging point (data sheet)
Autom. Charging/Badge
Controls whether the charge point should automatically charge a connected vehicle without the user having to identify themselves with a badge. If the checkbox is selected, a badge must be specified that is used for all charging sessions (the billing and charging profile of this badge are applied). This option is intended for situations where the charge point is not accessible to unauthorized persons (e.g. in your own garage) and no distinction between different users is required. If this option is enabled, a vehicle is charged automatically after the cable is plugged in, without any further user interaction.
Max. Charging Power
If this value is set, all charging points of the charge point are throttled when the power is exceeded. This value is not a protection against overcurrent; it may be exceeded briefly. It can be used to artificially limit the charge point to an average power per charging point. If the value is not specified or is greater than the power permitted by the charge point, the max. charging power is determined automatically. You should only set this value if an artificial limitation of the charging power is desired.
Parking Sensor
Here you can attach a channel for a parking sensor that indicates whether the parking space in front of the charging station is occupied. If this channel is specified, it controls whether a vehicle is shown in the visualization when the charging station is in a state where it is unclear whether a vehicle is plugged in.
Channels
Here the charge point can be connected to channels into which the respective value of charging connector no. 1 is output. This can be used for monitoring or visualization. All entries are optional. Depending on the technology and capabilities of the charge point, not all values may be provided. The start/stop channels are inputs that trigger the respective function on the charge point when they change to true. For this, a badge must be specified under Autom. Charging, even if the checkbox is not selected.
Connecting a Charge Point to the System
As a first step, register the charge point in the system.
OCPP
If you have not yet created an OCPP interface in the system, create an OCPP interface now. Note the URL you assigned to the interface (default is /ocpp). You only need one OCPP interface for any number of OCPP charge points. You must also ensure that the charge point is connected to a network from which an X2B client is reachable (you can check this with a web browser on a device in the network: if you can reach the X2B login from the charge point's network, a connection is possible).
For OCPP charge points, you must then store the URL in the charge point using the charge point's app. The URL consists of the protocol ws:// (WebSocket) plus the address of the X2B client (IP address + port if applicable, if port 80 is not used), the URL of the OCPP interface and the identity of the charge point, e.g.:
X2B client address/port: 192.168.178.123:8080 OCPP interface URL: /ocpp Identity: WALLBOX1
then the URL is ws://192.168.178.123:8080/ocpp and the identity is WALLBOX1, or, if the URL must contain the identity, ws://192.168.178.123:8080/ocpp/WALLBOX1 (you can tell which format is required by whether or not there is a separate field for the identity in the charge point configuration).
It is possible to connect an OCPP charge point via the X2B proxy (not recommended, as it places additional load on your internet connection and represents an additional point of failure: no internet = charge point outage!). The URL must then be wss://boxname.x2.energy/ocpp/WALLBOX1 (i.e. your box address replaces IP+port). Note that the protocol changes from ws:// (WebSocket) to wss:// (WebSocket Secure), as the proxy only allows secure connections. Only connect a charge point via the proxy if you have no other way of connecting the charge point to the local network. To connect charge points in a separate but physically local network, it is better to use the additional network ports on the X2B box (create a corresponding client for the network interface). Regardless of the connection method, we recommend treating identities as secret and not using easily guessable names, since knowledge of the identity enables a denial-of-service attack scenario (if unauthorized persons gain access to the network).
Regarding the port (:8080 in the example above): The port does not need to be specified if it is port 80 (for ws://) or 443 (for wss:// or when connecting via the proxy).
Connecting charge points via SIM card/4G and the proxy is also not recommended, as costs may be incurred for the resulting traffic (OCPP-J connections are persistent and permanently active; small amounts of data are constantly exchanged, which can add up quickly). Connection failures may also occur more frequently. If connecting via SIM card/4G is unavoidable, choose a reliable mobile provider with good network coverage at the site and plan for several 100 MB of data volume per month. If you want to connect multiple charge points at the same site, first assess whether a fixed-line connection (DSL/cable etc.) at the site would be the more cost-effective option.