Wallbox: Powering the Electric Vehicle Revolution
The Loxone Wallbox is an ideal choice for households and businesses looking for a convenient and cost-effective solution for electric vehicle charging. This charging station is designed to seamlessly integrate with other smart features, including a photovoltaic system, to optimize the utilization of renewable energy.
How does wallbox charging work?
What is a Wallbox?
A wallbox is a type of electric vehicle charging station that provides a dedicated and efficient solution for charging electric vehicles. It is also known as an EV charger or EV charging station. Unlike using a regular household socket, wallbox charging offers several advantages in terms of safety, speed, and energy efficiency.
Here’s why you should use a wallbox instead of a power socket:
Safer Charging: Wallboxes are designed to provide a safer charging experience compared to using a domestic outlet. They have built-in safety features and smart technology that control the flow of energy through the cable, reducing the risk of electrical hazards.
Faster Charging: Wallboxes come in different power options, such as 7.4kW, 11kW, and 22kW. These power ratings indicate the maximum amount of electrical power available from the source. When charging an electric vehicle, the power is converted into energy measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Using a wallbox with higher power ratings allows for faster charging times. For example, charging an electric vehicle for 4 hours with a maximum power of 2.3kW from a regular household socket would provide a maximum energy of 9.2kWh. In contrast, a wallbox with a maximum power of 7.4kW can provide up to 29.6kWh of energy in the same time frame. This means that a 7.4kW wallbox can charge a car with a 40kWh battery capacity in approximately 5.5 hours, while a household socket would take around 17.4 hours.
Convenience: Wallboxes are specifically designed to handle higher power loads required for electric vehicle charging. As a result, they offer significantly faster charging times compared to using a regular power socket. This convenience allows you to charge your electric vehicle more efficiently, saving you time and ensuring that your vehicle is ready to use when you need it.
In summary, a wallbox is a dedicated electric vehicle charging station that offers safer, faster, and more energy-efficient charging compared to using a regular power socket. Its higher power ratings enable quicker charging times, making it a more convenient option for electric vehicle owners.
Which wallbox charger should I choose?
Maximum Charging Power: Your electric car has a maximum charging power limit, which can range from 2.3kW to 22kW. The most common power rating on the market is 11kW. It is recommended to install a wallbox that meets your car’s exact requirements to ensure optimal charging performance.
Future Compatibility: While the number of cars that support more than 11kW charging is currently limited, this may change in the future. It’s important to consider the maximum input that your vehicle can handle while keeping the future of electric vehicles in mind. Choosing a wallbox with a higher power rating may provide more flexibility as the EV market evolves.
Single-Phase vs. 3-Phase: Wallboxes can be either single-phase or 3-phase. 1-phase chargers are typically available in 3.6kW or 7.4kW options, while 3-phase chargers come in 11kW or 22kW options. Your electric car will have a predefined charging phase assigned. If you need to charge a 1-phase car from a 3-phase source or vice versa, the charge will always be single-phase with a maximum power of 7.4kW.
Price and Installation: The price difference between 1-phase and 3-phase wallbox chargers may vary depending on the brand. It’s worth considering the additional cost and discussing it with a professional installer. The installation itself may also have cost variations between 1-phase and 3-phase options.
Where can wallboxes be installed?
Preferred Parking Space: Install the wallbox in your most preferred parking space. This will ensure convenience and easy access to the charger.
Same Side as Charging Port: It is best to install the wallbox on the same side as your car’s charging port. This will minimize the length of the charging cable and make the charging process more convenient.
Off-Street Parking: To avoid creating a trip hazard on the pavement, it is necessary to have off-street parking for your wallbox. This will ensure the safety of pedestrians and prevent any accidents.
Proximity to WiFi Source: Installing the wallbox close to a WiFi source is recommended if you want to monitor and control the wallbox’s energy consumption or schedule automated charging from your smartphone, even when you are away from home. This will enable seamless connectivity and remote access to the wallbox’s features
Are wallboxes sustainable?
When you drive an electric or hybrid vehicle, you contribute to lower carbon emissions and reduce fuel consumption compared to a regular car. By connecting your wallbox charger to a photovoltaic (PV) system, you can utilize renewable green energy to charge your electric vehicle (EV). Integrating the wallbox into your energy management system allows it to receive solar power that is not being used by other appliances in your home. This process can be automated, eliminating the need for manual tracking and operation of the energy flow from your solar panels to the wallbox. This synergy between the PV system, wallbox charger, and energy management system helps you save on additional power consumption and promotes sustainable transportation methods.
While the long-term sustainability of electric vehicles is still developing, considering factors such as emissions from the manufacturing process, battery life cycle, and recycling, it is important to be conscious of how we charge EVs. Utilizing surplus solar energy for charging is a positive step towards sustainability. Therefore, when selecting a wallbox charger, it is beneficial to choose one that can be integrated into your home’s energy system, taking into account the specific energy production and consumption patterns of your household. Although this may require a slightly higher initial investment, the long-term benefits in terms of sustainability are undeniable.
Features for everyone
The Loxone Wallbox offers a range of features for various types of buildings, including family homes and commercial premises. When integrated with the Loxone energy management system, it provides enhanced efficiency. Here are the key features of the Loxone Wallbox:
Store and control solar power: The Wallbox allows for variable charging rates, starting from as low as 1.38kW. It can be configured to activate solar power charging when there is a surplus of solar energy, typically set at a threshold of over 1.4kW. If the car is not plugged in or the battery is full, the surplus energy can be redirected to other appliances like a dishwasher or immersion heater. The distribution of solar power is based on priority settings within the Miniserver. Additionally, you have the option to manually switch on the Wallbox for quicker charging.
Load management via the Miniserver: The Miniserver controls the charging of your vehicle while considering other electrical loads in the building. If the Loxone system detects a potential overload, it proactively disconnects appliances based on preset priorities and current needs. This ensures that the charging process is optimized and avoids overloading the electrical system.
Authentication with NFC Code Touch: By adding an NFC reader to the Wallbox, you can restrict charging access to designated users only. The Loxone automated system records the consumption of each user accordingly. Additionally, you can assign authorization across different sites using the Loxone Trust function. This means that an employee on a business trip can use the same NFC fob to charge their car at both the local Wallbox in London and in Birmingham.
Data export for third parties: The Wallbox provides a convenient solution for managing and invoicing hotel guests and employees. The same card used for room access and authentication can be used for charging. The usage data can be easily exported in CSV format, allowing the finance department to streamline billing processes.
Management of multiple chargers: The Loxone system has the capability to distribute available power among multiple Wallboxes. Whether they are located in an office parking lot, the garage of an apartment building, or at a supermarket, the system autonomically manages the power distribution to ensure efficient charging for all connected Wallboxes.
These features make the Loxone Wallbox a versatile and efficient solution for electric vehicle charging in various settings.
The Loxone Wallbox Tree and Loxone Wallbox Air are popular choices among households worldwide. These charging stations offer advanced intelligence and functionality. The central control unit of the Loxone system, known as the Loxone Miniserver, plays a crucial role in managing these features. To ensure that the system meets your specific needs, it is recommended to consult with a professional Loxone installer who can customize the features and functionality according to your requirements.
More than just a standalone solution
The Loxone Miniserver is a central control unit that enables intelligent building automation for households, commercial premises, and custom projects. It allows for the control of all smart features in the building, facilitating communication between them. This integration provides convenient comfort, enhances safety and security, and offers energy-saving potential on a daily basis.
The Loxone Wallbox is a unique EV charging solution that is specifically designed to be part of a comprehensive building management system. It seamlessly integrates with the energy management features of the system, ensuring functional assurance. By combining the Loxone Wallbox EV charger with the building automation system, you gain control over various technologies within the building. This includes intelligent lighting, zoned heating, and energy management.
To access all the integrated features of the building automation system, whether you are inside the building or on the go, you can use the Loxone App. It provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to conveniently manage and control the different functionalities of the system.
