Siemens’ game-changing EV charger adapter
ConnectDER makes meter collars (pictured above) that are installed between the home’s meter and the meter socket to create a single plug-and-play access point for distributed energy resources (DER) installation. In other words, the collars easily add new electrical service capacity for things like solar and energy storage.Now ConnectDER will exclusively manufacture and supply a proprietary plug-in EV charger adapter to Siemens.
The new adapter will enable electric car owners to charge their EVs by connecting chargers directly through the meter socket, which is on every home. It provides more useable capacity by monitoring total load and controlling the EV circuit to ensure the total capacity rating is within the limit.
Bypassing the electrical panel reduces the EV charger installation cost by around 60 to 80% because electrical panel upgrades aren’t needed.
We asked a Siemens spokesperson about the cost of the new plug-in adapter, and he said that the company is still finalizing pricing, but “it will be a fraction of the cost of a service panel upgrade or other modifications often needed to make for a charger. Additionally, in some cases, the cost may be fully borne by utility programs.”
He also added that the adapters are expected to be available by first quarter 2023 and will be distributed through a variety of channels, such as EV charger installers, electricians, and utilities.
Nearly half of US home electrical panels previously would have needed upgrades to allow the installation of a typical Level 2 charger, usually a 7-11kW device requiring 40-60 Amps on a 240V line.
Siemens' new home EV charger adapter ends need for electrical panel upgrades
Not sure if same or different but seems like a cleaner instalation:
ConnectDER - Integrate Distributed Energy Resources with the Grid
You don't plug your car directly into the meter. This lets you run wiring from the meter to where your car is parked. A couple hundred foot run is no problem.
In a normal installation you have to run wiring from your load center, usually in your house, thru the walls/ceiling/slab/whatever. It can be expensive or difficult if your load center is already maxed out.
This bypasses that issue and makes installation of a charger at your parking location much cheaper and easier.
If this turns out to be popular, I see it playing out as firsties-get-besties; a few people in a neighborhood will get them, max out their local distribution and then the problems start.
