Hardware & Plugs
This standard North American connector, often called the J-plug, is used for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
What is the J1772?
This primary piece of PPE must be rated for at least 1,000 volts when a technician is working on "live" high-voltage components.
What are Class 0 (or voltage-rated) rubber insulating gloves?
This safety device, required for all EVSE installs, shuts off power instantly if it detects current leaking to ground.
What is a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)?
This common error code often appears when the EVSE detects a poor physical connection between the plug and the vehicle inlet.
What is a "Pilot Fault" (or Connection Error)?
Measured in Hertz, this type of signal is sent across the Control Pilot wire to tell the car exactly how many Amps it is allowed to draw.
What is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal?
Unlike Level 2, this "Level 3" charging method bypasses the car's onboard charger to provide high-voltage DC directly to the battery.
What is DC Fast Charging (DCFC)?
To ensure a vehicle is safe to touch, a tech uses this device to verify there is zero potential between a high-voltage terminal and the chassis.
What is a Digital Multimeter (DMM)?
A technician must ensure this "load" calculation is performed so the building’s electrical panel isn't overwhelmed by a 48-amp charger.
What is a Load Calculation (or Demand Study)?
If a station displays this specific error, it usually means the unit has detected electricity flowing where it shouldn't—often due to a nicked cable or moisture in the handle.
What is a Ground Fault?
This value, measured in Ohms, is checked on the "Proximity Pilot" pin to ensure the nozzle is fully latched before charging begins.
What is Resistance?
This combined charging system adds two DC pins below a standard AC port to allow for both home and fast charging.
What is CCS (Combined Charging System)?
This specific tool is used to simulate the presence of an electric vehicle to test an EVSE unit without a car being present.
What is an EVSE Adapter (or Simulator)?
This "handshake" signal on the pilot wire tells the charger that the vehicle is plugged in and ready to receive energy.
What is the Control Pilot (CP) signal?
When a DC Fast Charger stops mid-session with a "High Temperature" warning, a tech should first check the filters or the coolant levels in this specific component.
What is the Liquid-Cooled Charging Cable?
This governing body publishes the "National Electrical Code" (NEC), which contains Article 625, the "bible" for EV charging installations.
What is the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)?
Now known as J3400, this connector was originally proprietary to Tesla but is becoming the North American charging standard.
What is NACS (North American Charging Standard)?
$800: Techs use this "Megger" test to check the integrity of wire insulation and ensure high-voltage current isn't leaking to the ground.
What is an Insulation Resistance Test?
In a commercial setting, this software-based "OCPP" standard allows different brands of chargers to talk to a central management cloud.
What is Open Charge Point Protocol?
This term describes a "ghost" issue where the charger works on most cars but fails on one specific model due to a mismatch in the software "handshake."
What is an Interoperability Issue?
While J1772 is for AC, this set of protocols (often 15118) allows for "Plug & Charge," where the car identifies itself and pays for the session automatically.
What is ISO 15118?
This liquid-cooled component is often required in 350kW chargers to prevent the heavy-gauge wires from overheating during high-current sessions.
What is the charging cable?
This protocol is the "language" used between a DC fast charger and the vehicle to negotiate voltage and current limits.
What is DIN 70121 or ISO 15118?
This is the maximum continuous load percentage allowed on a circuit breaker according to the NEC, meaning a 40-amp charger needs a 50-amp breaker.
What is 80%?
A technician seeing a "Relay Welded" error must replace the internal contactors because they are stuck in this dangerous position, potentially leaving the plug "live."
What is the "Closed" (or Energized) position?
In a 3-phase commercial AC setup, a technician must ensure this is balanced across all three lines to prevent overheating the neutral wire.
What is the Electrical Load?