Why is cable management critical to the electrical vehicle lifecycle?
When charging systems fail, faulty cables and cable connectors are the most common reason. Charging an electric vehicle is not a stranger to its rule. This blog stresses the importance of EV cable management and offers some practical tips on how to go about it.
One particular thing that makes cable management of the EV cables tricky is that EV cables are usually long and are laying freely on the ground. As a result, the wires can be easily damaged physically or through exposure to environmental factors, such as water or weather. Therefore, EV Cables require maintenance before and after every charging. Here are several cable management tips especially useful to EV cables:
Keep your EV cables away from water and damp environments
The cable for your electric car should be placed away from water. Do not put your cable on wet ground while charging your car. The cable should be stored in a dry place as any contact with moisture can result in a short circuit and failure. The battery charger and the car itself also suffer from damp environments. Therefore, the car's garage should be insulated with waterproof insulation.
Choose a functional storage location for your cables
When not used, EV cables should be stored in a fitting place not far from the car and charging station. Instead of DIY storage, use a storage bag explicitly designed for cables or a storage case sold together with your EV cable. In addition to protecting your cable from impact, it will also save it from damage caused by inefficient storing.
Wipe the cable with a dry cloth after use while avoiding connectors
After you have finished charging a car, wipe your cable with a cloth to remove any waste that might damage the cable's insulation. However, it is not recommended to wipe connectors for the very same reason - the debris or moisture can get inside a connector.
Make sure not to overload the EV battery charger
First, to avoid misusing a battery charger, use an appropriate cable to accompany it. The cable should be from an authorized seller and of high quality. Some modern battery chargers have more than one socket with different power ratings. To prevent overloading, do not invest in high-power chargers that promise more than they can get you; stick with more efficient models.
