DESIGN
E-MOBILITY: CHARGING
battery can be charged directly, bypassing the OBC and removing the need for an inverter. DCFC operates at powers from 25 to over 350kW, which means a charging session for an EV has the potential to be reduced to as little as 15 minutes. However, although this method can boost charging power up to 400kW, the conversion stage generates power losses which are not paid for by the end user. Precise and fair energy billing How then can EVCS providers ensure billing of DC chargers has been carried out with precise accuracy? The answer is to use an electric meter after the conversion stage which will monitor the exact amount of energy that is transferred to the electric vehicle and allow for legal DC billing. The solution developed by LEM is the smart and compact Direct Current Billing Meter (DCBM), a plug-and-play solution designed with data security, e-mobility, digitisation, and flexibility in mind. Created to help those responsible for operating and retrofitting electric vehicle charging stations take advantage of the benefits of rapid DC charging, the latest DCBM 400/600 model offers a power measurement range from 25 to 600kW and an LCD display that shows real-time measurements, energy, alarms, and legal data. Because it complies with all metering standards and uses industry standard data protocols, the meter ensures secure communications, authentic billing, easy connectivity to Cloud services and a faster certification process in compliance with metrology regulations. The UL certification for the new DCBM means it is a UL recognised component for Canada and the United States (the certification is in the FTRZ category for EV applications). As with all the sensors LEM sells on the US market, to achieve this certification the DCBM had to go through a rigorous audit focusing on electrical safety and needed to be compliant with ambient
operating temperatures up to 158°F. The DCBM is accurate and correct over a temperature range of -40°F to +185°F. UL certification reassures EVCS makers More specifically, the meter underwent a series of gate reviews and tests related to the well-known UL 61010 and UL 810 standards, including reinforced insulation tests, temperature testing of all its components and sub-assemblies, testing for protection against electric chock, durability of markings tests, equipment temperature limit tests and resistance to heat/fire risk tests. For manufacturers of EVCSs in the North American market, this UL recognised certification reassures them of the viability of the DCBM and simplifies the process of them having to qualify their own charging station for UL listed certification, accelerating time to market for their equipment. For added peace of mind, the meter is required to undergo a new audit every quarter. A major feature of the DCBM is its quality build. Even though thousands of the meters have been installed already in the European EVCS market over recent years
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