One of the fastest growing segments in the electric power sector is Electric Vehicles that require a battery charger. The success of the Toyota Prius and companies such as Tesla motors and Better Place, have laid the foundation for a future filled with electric cars. And the cars of tomorrow have unique needs when it comes to power and recharging.
There are two main types of Battery chargers for vehicles:
Recharge a fuel vehicle's starter battery, where a modular charger is used.
Recharge an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack.
Electric vehicles include a battery pack, so generally, they use series chargers. A 10 Ampere-hour battery could take 15 hours to reach a fully charged state from a fully discharged condition with a 1 Ampere charger as it would require roughly 1.5 times the battery's capacity.
Power Factor Correction (PFC) chargers can more closely approach the maximum current the plug can deliver, shortening charging time.
On board EV chargers (change AC power to DC power to recharge the EV's pack) are of two types: Isolated and non-isolated. The former make no physical connection between the A/C electrical mains and the batteries being charged. These typically employ some form of Inductive charging. Some isolated chargers may be used in parallel. This allows for an increased charge current and reduced charging times. The latter has a direct electrical connection the A/C outlet's wiring. Non-isolated chargers cannot be using in parallel.
Public EV charging heads (aka: stations) provide 6kW (host power of 208 to 240 VAC off a 40 amp circuit). Rapid charging results in even faster recharge times and is only limited by available AC power and the type of charging system.
Project Better Place has taken the lead in the field of a vehicular battery charger and is deploying a network of charging stations, in addition to subsidizing vehicle battery costs through leases and credits.
There are two main types of Battery chargers for vehicles:
Recharge a fuel vehicle's starter battery, where a modular charger is used.
Recharge an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack.
Electric vehicles include a battery pack, so generally, they use series chargers. A 10 Ampere-hour battery could take 15 hours to reach a fully charged state from a fully discharged condition with a 1 Ampere charger as it would require roughly 1.5 times the battery's capacity.
Power Factor Correction (PFC) chargers can more closely approach the maximum current the plug can deliver, shortening charging time.
On board EV chargers (change AC power to DC power to recharge the EV's pack) are of two types: Isolated and non-isolated. The former make no physical connection between the A/C electrical mains and the batteries being charged. These typically employ some form of Inductive charging. Some isolated chargers may be used in parallel. This allows for an increased charge current and reduced charging times. The latter has a direct electrical connection the A/C outlet's wiring. Non-isolated chargers cannot be using in parallel.
Public EV charging heads (aka: stations) provide 6kW (host power of 208 to 240 VAC off a 40 amp circuit). Rapid charging results in even faster recharge times and is only limited by available AC power and the type of charging system.
Project Better Place has taken the lead in the field of a vehicular battery charger and is deploying a network of charging stations, in addition to subsidizing vehicle battery costs through leases and credits.