EV OS Load Management offers two algorithms, each designed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of your EV charging site. Each algorithm calculates the minimum current output differently, tailored to various operational needs.
To ensure reliable operation and prevent overload, EV OS requires that your site, power panels, or breakers have a capacity greater than the minimum current specified during setup.
In the US, this requirement is 25% higher, but the exact value depends on the region. This design provides a safety margin to accommodate load variations and maintain stable performance.
Traditional Algorithm
The Traditional Algorithm is the default algorithm. It is designed to enhance the stability of your charging site. It prevents system overload by reserving the maximum output for one station if it goes offline unexpectedly.
How It Works:
1. Minimum Required Output Calculation:
The algorithm calculates the minimum required capacity by considering the maximum output of a station and the combined minimum output of the remaining stations in a load group, as well as the maximum output of the individual stations within a site.
2. Load Distribution:
The system evenly distributes the power among active stations.
3. Continuous Monitoring:
The system continuously monitors the output to ensure it stays within safe limits and adjusts as needed to avoid overloads.
Example:
Consider a charging site with four stations, each with a minimum output of 7 A and a maximum output of 32 A. Two are individual stations, and the other two form a load group.
Based on the Traditional Algorithm, the minimum output requirement for this site is calculated as follows:
• Load Group: 32 A (maximum output) + 7 A (minimum output) = 39 A
• Individual Stations: 32 A * 2 = 64 A
• Total minimum output requirement: 39 A + 64 A = 103 A
Max Capacity Algorithm
The Max Capacity Algorithm is designed to ensure that the charging site can always accommodate the maximum load capacity of at least one station. It requires less total output compared to Traditional Algorithm for the same number of stations.
How It Works:
1. Minimum Required Output Calculation:
The algorithm compares the combined minimum output of all stations to the maximum output of a single station within the load group.
• If the combined minimum output is lower, it sets the load group minimum to the individual station’s maximum output.
• If the combined minimum is higher, it sets the load group minimum to the sum of all the station’s minimum output.
2. Continuous Monitoring:
The system continuously monitors the output to ensure it stays within safe limits and adjusts as needed to avoid overloads.
Example:
Consider a charging site with 4 stations, each with a minimum output of 7 A and a maximum output of 32 A. Two are individual stations, and the other two form a load group.
Based on the Max Capacity Algorithm, the minimum output requirement for this site is calculated as the sum of the following:
Load Group: 32 A
Individual Stations: 32 A * 2 = 64 A
Therefore, the total minimum output requirement for this site is 32 A + 64 A = 96 A
To help you determine which method best suits your site’s needs, here’s a quick summary of both options. The following table highlights their key features, benefits, and considerations.
| Feature | Traditional Algorithm | Max Capacity Algorithm |
| Purpose | Ensures stable load distribution to maintain reliable operation. (This is the default option.) | Allows site owners to increase the number of charging stations at their site by requiring less total output for the same number of stations. Consider switching to this method if the minimum output requirement exceeds the available power capacity. |
| How It Works | Requires the maximum output of one station plus the minimum output of the remaining stations. | Compares the combined minimum current of all stations to the maximum output of the highest-output station, using the higher of the two as the minimum required capacity. |
| Ideal For | Smaller sites or those where the risk of unexpected offline stations is higher. | Larger sites or growing networks where scalability is a priority. |
| Key Benefit | Ensures stable capacity management, preventing overloading by accounting for the highest output station and remaining stations' needs. | Provides more flexibility in expanding charging stations, requiring less total power for the same number of stations, making it easier to grow the site. |
| Considerations | May require more total power, limiting your ability to add additional stations if your site’s power infrastructure is already at capacity. | Offers more flexibility in scaling up, but may not provide as much of a buffer for power management as the Traditional Algorithm. |
How to Update Load Management Algorithm
From the Load Management page, navigate to the Settings tab. From here, select your preferred algorithm or inherit from the CPO (available only for sites associated with a CPO)
Note: Build and Setup settings will reset upon algorithm update.
For more information about how to configure Load Management, download our manual from the link below.