As extra industrial EV fleets undertake DC quick chargers, the load and quantity of charging cables introduce operational challenges that may affect security, upkeep prices and car uptime.
Charged lately chatted with Eric Witkowski, Product Supervisor at Hubbell, to debate an often-overlooked side of EV charging infrastructure: cable administration. Hubbell’s Gleon Reel and associated options goal to handle these ache factors with sensible, industrial-grade instruments.
Witkowski demonstrated the DWR Reel, a motorized overhead cable system designed for high-ceiling installations. It permits operators to drop the charging cable from above and retract it when not in use. This method eliminates ground-level litter, which reduces journey hazards and limits harm from climate, automobiles, or foot visitors. Particularly in high-use environments like fleet depots, cable safety helps guarantee charging ports keep practical and cut back put on on costly parts.
One other key problem is the distinction in cable dealing with necessities between Degree 2 and Degree 3 charging. Degree 3 cables can weigh as much as 60 kilos—considerably greater than Degree 2—making them more durable to handle and extra prone to break if mishandled. Witkowski defined that Hubbell’s options just like the Cost Base, a jib-and-crane system with a trolley and cable balancer, assist operators transfer cables effectively to totally different car ports with out dragging or bending the cable.
The dialogue additionally lined how unplanned downtime may be pricey for fleet operators. With out correct cable administration, a single broken cable or connector can take a charging station offline for days or perhaps weeks. This not solely impacts car readiness but in addition introduces surprising restore bills and operational disruptions. Witkowski famous that uptime has all the time been a prime precedence for fleet managers, and small enhancements in cable dealing with can have a significant affect.
The interview additionally launched the Probability Prompt Basis, one other innovation designed for speedy deployment of EV chargers. This technique avoids the necessity for poured concrete, as a substitute utilizing a drill-in-place basis that simplifies set up. For fleet operators scaling rapidly or constructing short-term charging stations, this may cut back deployment time and complexity. Taken collectively, Hubbell’s portfolio displays a sensible method to bettering EV infrastructure reliability and operational security.
Be taught extra at: https://www.hubbell.com/gleasonreel/en/options/ev-charging-cable-reels
