The article explains PEN fault protection in electric vehicle chargers, detailing how it detects and responds to voltage fluctuations to prevent electric shock or fire, complying with UK safety regulations.
What is a PEN fault?
A PEN fault refers to a problem with the Protective Earth and Neutral (PEN) conductor. PEN fault detection is essential for safety, and ensuring that in the event of a failure where the PEN conductor loses its connection, the system detects this and acts to prevent electric shock or fire. This is crucial for EV charging setups, adhering to regulation BS 7671:2018 Amendment 1:2020 to ensure safe operation and charging of electric vehicles.
What is Pen Fault Detection?
- PEN fault protection activates if the charger detects voltage fluctuations—either above 253 V rms or below 207 V rms between line and neutral conductors—lasting more than 5 seconds.
- Upon detection, the charger disconnects the live, neutral, and earth connections to the vehicle, halting the charging process and the LEDs will turn RED!
- Once normal voltage is sensed for 30 seconds, the charger resumes its normal operation, often indicated by the default LEDs.
- Blue : Stand-by
- Green: Charging
- Purple: Schedule
- Orange: Locked
What to do if the LEDs Turn RED!
- Try reseting the charger by turning it off, waiting 5 minutes, and then turning it back on.
- Contact Hypervolt support for further advice. It is possible that you will need an electrician to help resolve the issue.
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It’s essential for the owner to report this to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) immediately. The DNO is responsible for investigating and rectifying the issue.