If you’ve been searching for the ultimate solution to slow EV charging speeds in your workplace, you may have received the advice that you should invest in a Level 2 Smart charger. This, of course, is excellent advice. Level 2 charging stations have much faster charging speeds than Level 1 units.
When combined with Smart charging technology, they can save you a lot of money in the long run despite the initially higher transaction cost.
However, even with all of its advanced features and improvements over Level 1 charging, Level 2 chargers can still present problems in commercial settings. In fast-paced, industrial buildings, even the 4-to-5-hour charging speeds of level 2 chargers may be restrictive and inefficient.So, what’s the solution? If you’re a business owner looking to implement fast EV charging into your workplace, you could benefit from a 3-phase DC charger. DC charging, or Direct Current charging, refers to an EV charging process whereby AC power is converted to DC before it leaves the charging port.
This that the transfer from AC to DC happens before, rather than after, the current reaches the battery, which is much more efficient than the AC charging used by Level 1 and 2 chargers.
About Delta
Delta was founded in Taiwan, in 1971, by Bruce Cheng. Cheng is a self-made entrepreneur and Bachelor of both Arts and Science, who founded Delta with a mission to build a better future through cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Since 1971, Delta has achieved enormous success. The company was featured on the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability in 2011 and has retained its position there ever since.
Just last year (2020), Delta was rated ‘A’ by CDP’s leadership level rankings, for its efforts both against climate change and issues with water security. The company also holds the title of Supplier Engagement Leader for its contributions to sustainability. It’s clear that Delta is a company dedicated to shaping a better future, just as you are! So, without further ado, let’s delve into the Delta Wallbox.
OUR REVIEW
Delta Wallbox
Main Features
3-Phase DC Charging
The Delta Wallbox uses 3-phase DC charging to charge electric car batteries at faster rates than traditional EV chargers. It is an SAE combination charger, which means that it incorporates elements of DC and Level 2 EV charging for enhanced speed and functionality. The charging station operates at 480 volts and a maximum power rating of 25 kW. With a total efficiency rating of 94%, the Delta Wallbox is capable of charging some EV batteries in as little as 40 minutes. This is a massive improvement on the 24-hour charging times of some Level 1 chargers and even the several-hour-long times delivered by Level 2 chargers. Clearly, this is an enormous advantage. Unfortunately, the benefits of this charging station are only available to drivers of EVs with preexisting fast charge capability.
What this means is that the Delta Wallbox is only compatible with newer electric vehicles. The reason for this limitation is that many older electric vehicle models were not built with this capability. However, because this is an SAE combination charger, it is also able to deliver Level 2 charging at 240 volts. Additionally, the CHAdeMO charge socket provides charging capability for the specific EVs that use these sockets, including the popular Nissan Leaf. If you’re the owner of a commercial business or building, the charging capabilities of the Delta Wallbox will give you a real advantage in the commercial EV charging market.
With more and more EV drivers investing in residential chargers for convenience, your ability to offer DC fast charging (which is currently not available on a residential basis) to your customers will provide an incentive for them to charge away from home.
OLED Screen Interface
The Delta Wallbox is extremely user-friendly, thanks to its advanced OLED screen interface. The screen is high-contrast, meaning all displayed information is clear and easy to read. Moreover, the display features multi-function buttons, which minimizes the need for a button for every single command, setting, or action.
The result is that the interface looks neat, uncluttered, and intuitive. This is extremely important when it comes to EV charging and even more important for commercial charging stations. Since customers charging away from home don’t have the opportunity to take the time to get to know their charging station gradually, it’s imperative that the appliance be easy to navigate. The Delta Wallbox ticks all of these boxes.
Network Connectivity
A major selling point of the Delta Wallbox that should also be taken into consideration is the unity’s OCPP network connectivity. OCPP stands for ‘Open Charge Point Protocol’ and it essentially means that the charging station shares its data through a central management system or network. In simpler terms, the Delta Wallbox is able to communicate with other OCPP chargers in the area. For both business owners and EV drivers, this is a huge plus. Theoretically, owners of commercial buildings could set up an entire network of charging stations through their business, using the interconnectivity between stations to monitor usage, costs, and peak electricity demand times.
All of these features allow for more competitive pricing which, in turn, benefits drivers.
User Authentication
Another reason why the Delta Wallbox is perfect for commercial and industrial use is that the use of the appliance requires user authentication. Customers can identify themselves by use of an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) smart card or a mobile application.
This allows charging costs for each session to be easily attributed to the user after every use, making this unit perfect as a commercial charging station.
Protective Features
Any EV charger installed outside, whether commercial or residential, needs protection. There was a time when buyers’ biggest concern about installing an EV charger outside was exposure to the rain.
However, now that electric vehicle manufacturers and experts have confirmed that it is not dangerous to install or use an EV charger in the rain, users are becoming attuned to other potential problems. Vandalism, for example, has become a common concern of residential and commercial EV charger owners alike. In recent years, cases of EV charger vandalism have even made the news all over the world.
In 2020, for example, a charging station in Vancouver Island had its cables severed, rendering it unfit for operation.With the Delta Wallbox, whether you’re a business owner or a homeowner, you can rest at ease knowing that your charging station features adequate protection against deliberate or accidental damage. The station features inbuilt Type 3R protection, which is the NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) rating for electrical products certified for outdoor use. This means that the Delta Wallbox is resistant to adverse weather conditions, including rain, hail, and snow. Moreover, the unit benefits from the added protection of IK08 vandal-proof casing. IK ratings or codes indicate how resistant an appliance is to mechanical impact.
IK08 is one of the highest mechanical impact ratings there is, and should protect an appliance from falling objects weighing 1.7 kg falling from a height of 29.5 cm. The total impact from this would be 5 Joules.
Easy Installation
The Delta Wallbox may be a technologically advanced piece of EV charging equipment, but that doesn’t mean it necessarily has a complicated installation process. Many EV drivers are actually put off investing in more high-end chargers, not only because of the increased price point but because of the more difficult installation procedures.
While Level 1 chargers, for example, can easily be installed on a DIY basis, Level 2 chargers usually come with a recommendation or requirement for professional installation. This is because Level 2 chargers are hardwired, meaning that they need to be wired directly into a building’s electrical framework. This, obviously, can be a dangerous task for someone with no electrical qualifications or professional experience to undertake. However, the Delta Wallbox is relatively easy to install in or outside commercial buildings because of its wall-mount design and plug-in power modules.
This means that business owners can have the Delta Wallbox installed quickly and quite cheaply by a professional, simultaneously benefitting themselves and their customers, who can experience fast DC charging on the go for a small fee.
Overview
Advantages
- 25 kW DC fast charging – Ultra-fast charging times
- SAE combination charging – Also delivers Level 2, 240-volt charge
- OLED screen interface – Clear, intuitive display and controls
- RFID identification – Easy user identification
- OCPP network connectivity – Inter-device network communication
- Mobile application connectivity – User convenience
- Plug-in power modules – Easy installation
- 3R NEMA rating – Safe for outdoor use
- IK08 impact protection – Protected against vandalism
Disadvantages
- Expensive price point – Not budget-friendly
- Not for EVs without fast charge capability – Not universally compatible
Final Thoughts
If you are a business owner or the owner of a commercial property or car park, we would absolutely recommend the Delta Wallbox as one of the most versatile, cost-effective, and user-friendly charging stations money can buy. Thanks to the station’s network connectivity, user identification functions, ease of use, and protective build, the Delta Wallbox would make a fantastic addition to any commercial charging network. Alternatively, because the Delta Wallbox is an SAE combination charger that also delivers Level 2 charging capability, it’s also suitable for residential use and would be particularly useful to households with multiple electric vehicles.
With an easy-to-understand and no-nonsense style, Michael writes to educate readers who are considering their first EV purchase or those looking to get the most fun and value out of their Tesla, Leaf, Volt or other electric vehicle.
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