Specifications

Basic specifications for the ChargePoint Gateway are shown in the table below.

Specification

Details

Input Power

< 4 W

Input Current

< 0.4 A using single phase 110/120 V, or

< 0.2 A using single phase 208/240 V service

Input Terminals

100-240 VAC, universal

Physical Placement

0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft) from CPF charging station(s) 1.8-2.4 m (6-8 ft) above floor level

Connectivity

Supports 1-9 CPF charging stations

Connectivity Placement

< 30 m (100 ft) line-of-sight to associated charging stations

For detailed specifications, refer to the ChargePoint Gateway Datasheet at: ChargePoint Product Reference Documentation.

Requirements

A ChargePoint Gateway consists of a cellular LTEClosed Long Term Evolution modem for wide area networking, and built-in Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity for local communications to and from CPF charging stations.

Before installing the ChargePoint Gateway, choose an appropriate location by considering the following:

  • Power must be available at the installation site.

  • The Gateway relies on an external device for overcurrent protection. The installer must ensure the Gateway is protected by a maximum 20 A branch circuit breaker.

  • All charging stations must be located within 30 m (100 ft) line-of-sight.

  • The location must receive consistently available LTEClosed Long Term Evolution cellular coverage.

  • Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity signal strength between the ChargePoint Gateway and the charging stations must be strong. Avoid installations where concrete walls are located between the ChargePoint Gateway and the CPF charging stations.

ChargePoint recommends permanently installing the ChargePoint Gateway by running service wiring into the bottom of the Gateway through 12 mm (1/2 in trade size) conduit and attaching it to a wall using the supplied screws and wall anchors.

Cellular Connectivity

A consistently strong cellular signal is needed before installers can activate the station(s). Do not rely on cell phone applications to measure cellular signals when conducting site surveys. Take cellular readings at the exact location of the proposed Gateway installation.

Ensure the Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP) measurement is -90 dBm or better and the Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) measurement is -10 dB or better. It is important to have both appropriate signal strength and signal quality. Note that these numbers are all negative, so -70 dBm is stronger than - 90 dBm, and -100 dBm is weaker. Use a cellular signal detection device (such as a Snyper-LTEClosed Long Term Evolution GraphyteTM (USA) by Siretta) to take signal strength readings at the exact proposed Gateway location.

RSRP

RSRQ

Signal Strength

Greater than -80 dBm

-3 to -10 dB

Excellent

-80 dBm to -90 dBm

-3 to -10 dB

Acceptable

-90 dBm to -140 dBm

-10.5 to -19.5 dB

Remediation required - install cell repeater

If the RSRP measurement is worse than -90 dBm or the RSRQ measurement is worse than -10, take cellular readings at the location where a cellular signal booster outdoor antenna will be installed to ensure enough signal exists to be boosted. Install repeaters to boost the strength of the cellular signals. Repeaters are often required when installing the charging station in an underground garage or enclosed parking structure.

ChargePoint recommends using a multi-carrier cellular repeater system. Do not use microcells or femtocells; they are inadequate for this use case. Options for cellular signal boosters include:

  • Wilson Pro 70 Plus with automatic gain management up to 20,000 square feet of coverage area

  • Wilson 1100 with automatic gain management up to 35,000 square feet of coverage area

  • SureCall Fusion 5 for all carriers in North America, supports voice, 3G and 4G, average gain of 65 dB & max 72 db for up to 6,000 square feet of coverage area

  • SureCall Force 5 for all carriers in North America for up to 20,000 square feet of coverage inside parking structure

Consult an expert in the cellular repeater industry for additional guidance. ChargePoint O&M partners can validate acceptable cellular signal strength at the site using a cellular strength reader. Weak or sporadic signal can affect crucial aspects of the charging station, including: accuracy in reporting, ability for drivers to use their mobile app, ability for customer support to troubleshoot problems, and support for advanced features such as Power Management or Waitlist. Strong signal is also required for the Assure maintenance and management program.

The Gateway supports 4G/LTEClosed Long Term Evolution for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint in the United States and Bell, Rogers, and Telus in Canada. There must be viable signal from at least one carrier on at least one of the supported bands listed below:

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity connectivity is used to allow the Gateway to communicate with each individual charging station. Each station must be within 30 m (100 ft) of a Gateway. Each station must also have a direct line-of-sight view of the Gateway. Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity signal cannot pass easily through common obstructions such as:

  • Walls

  • Columns

  • Metal cabinets

Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity signal can also be disrupted by electromagnetic interference (EMIClosed Electromagnetic Interference). This includes:

  • Other systems operating on 2.4 Ghz

  • Other wireless access points.

Additionally, mounting the Gateway on the wall is preferred to ceiling mounting to provide the broadest coverage.

The ChargePoint Gateway must be located where cellular signals are optimum for LTEClosed Long Term Evolution service, and each ChargePoint Gateway must be located within 30 m (100 ft) line-of-sight to the CPF charging stations. Each CPF charging station has built-in Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity capability to communicate with the ChargePoint Gateway to access ChargePoint network services.

Contents of the Box

  • Main unit with cover (1)

  • 6 mm (1/4 in) drill bit (1)

  • #10 x 25 mm (1 in) screws (5)

  • Wall anchors (5)

  • Installation template (1) - inserted in the center of the ChargePoint Gateway Installation Guide

  • Spare activation label (1) - a duplicate label is attached to the inside of the main unit

Required Tools and Materials

Keep the spare activation label. It contains critical information that you need to pinpoint the Gateway, which prepares it for activation on the ChargePoint network. See Activate the Gateway.
  • Drill

  • Phillips screwdriver

  • Two adjustable wrenches to remove the internal nut when permanently hard-wiring

Install the Gateway

Follow the steps below to install the ChargePoint Gateway at a permanent location.

For temporary installation to test connectivity, skip to the Power On section below. However, ChargePoint recommends hardwiring the installation once the final location is established.

Mount the Unit

  1. Use the installation template to mark the location of the four mounting holes.

  2. Drill the four mounting holes and insert the anchors.

  3. Loosen the screws on the front of the ChargePoint Gateway to remove the front cover.

  4. Align the main unit with the mounting holes and fasten using four of the supplied 10 x 25 mm (1 in) screws and a Phillips screwdriver.

Remove the Wall Plug

  1. Disconnect the wall plug’s wiring from the terminal block.

  2. Using two wrenches, one on the inside and one on the outside, remove the internal plastic nut.

  3. Remove the power cord from the ChargePoint Gateway.

Connect the Wiring

  1. Using 16 mm (1/2 in trade size) conduit and the appropriate fittings, route the appropriate length of 6.0 - 2.5 mm2 (10-14 AWGClosed American Wire Gauge) stranded or solid service wiring to the ChargePoint Gateway and through the hole in the bottom (where you removed the power cord).

  2. Strip service wires 6.4 mm (1/4 in).

  3. Connect L1 and L2 (or L and N) service wiring, as shown.

Install the Cover

Align the cover to the front of the main unit. Turn the screws to lock the cover into place.

Power On

Power on the ChargePoint Gateway by switching the service breaker ON (or for temporary installations, by plugging it into the power outlet).

As the ChargePoint Gateway powers on, the LED flashes yellow while it attempts to communicate with the cellular network. When cellular communication is established, the LED is solid yellow.

If the Gateway continues to flash yellow for an extended time, check the strength of the cellular signal at the installation location. You may need to strengthen the signal by installing cellular repeaters.

Pinpoint the Gateway

After completing the physical installation of the ChargePoint Gateway, you must prepare it for activation on the ChargePoint network by pinpointing its exact location.

Required Tools and Materials

  • The ChargePoint Gateway’s MACClosed Message Authentication Code address and activation password (this is printed on an activation label that is attached to the main unit, and a spare label is included in the shipping box)

  • The exact location where the ChargePoint Gateway is physically installed

  • A smartphone with Internet access

  • Installer account information (user name and password) on ChargePoint (provided upon completion of training)

Pinpoint the Gateway

  1. Using your smartphone, navigate to the ChargePoint mobile site: m.chargepoint.com.

  2. Log in using your installer credentials.

  3. Enter the MACClosed Message Authentication Code address and activation password from the activation label.

  4. Follow the online instructions to complete the pinpointing of the Gateway.

When the Gateway connects to the ChargePoint network, the LED turns solid green. If this has not happened within 20 minutes, contact ChargePoint Support.

Complete the Post-Installation Checklist

Before leaving the installation site, complete this checklist for the ChargePoint Gateway. Then provide this information, along with the information on the previous page, to the person responsible for activating the ChargePoint Gateway and the CPF charging stations.

Customer

Name:

Site Address:

Contact:

Installer

Installer Name:

Installer Contact Information:

Company:

Address:

Phone:

Checkpoint

Complete

Service wiring has been fully inserted into the terminal block and all electrical connections are clean and snug. Torque is confirmed for the wiring connection.

 

The Gateway is securely mounted.

 

The cover is locked in place and conduit is firmly attached.

 

The LED located at the bottom of the ChargePoint Gateway is solid green (this can take up to 20 minutes).

 

The area is clean and free of all packaging and debris.

 

All pinpointing steps have been completed.

 

The radio group (the ChargePoint Gateway and associated CPF charging stations) is completely documented.