Site Planning and Placement

This section outlines general planning and placement requirements for Power Block 2000 sites.

Initial Site Guidelines

The site designer must perform an onsite evaluation to determine conduit and wiring requirements from the panel to the proposed charging locations, and to measure cellular signal levels and identify suitable locations for any required cellular signal‑booster equipment.

If you have pre-existing infrastructure or are using your own preferred electrical contractor for site preparation, the make-ready contractor must complete the Express Distro Power Block 2000 Construction Signoff Form and submit it to ChargePoint for review. The Express Distro Power Block 2000 Construction Signoff Form is available at ChargePoint Product Reference Documentation and should be provided to the contractor by the site designer.

Plan for Future Charging Capacity

Designing electrical infrastructure to support current and future needs for EVClosed Electric Vehicle charging helps avoid costly upgrades later as demand for EVClosed Electric Vehicle charging grows.

Consider these methods to prepare a site for future charging stations in a later phase of work:

  • Add extra capacity if electrical panels are being upgraded now.

  • Use sub-panels as a way to shorten electrical paths.

  • Maximize the conduit and conductor sizes (to product specifications) between the main electrical panel and future stations, to prevent needing to re-pull wire later.

  • Below-ground wiring can be pre-staged if the correct site construction is performed in advance. Allowed terminations include a distribution unit, junction box, or plugged conduit. This eases cable pulls for future stations.

  • Consider locations and spaces where it will be easy to add future stations.

System Placement

The placement of Power Block 2000 must meet the following requirements:

  • Power Block 2000 is not ATEX rated shall not be installed in an explosive area.
  • Site conditions must be compatible with the following specifications listed in the Express Distro Power Block 2000 Datasheet:
    • Operational altitude
    • Operating temperature
    • Operating humidity
    • Enclosure rating
  • Power Block 2000 must be installed on a level concrete surface rated for the weight of the station.
    • The charging station must be installed on a level concrete base rated for the weight of the station. Asphalt cannot support the full weight of the station. Failure to install the station on a suitable surface may cause the station to tip over, resulting in death, personal injury, or property damage.

Layout considerations:

  • Determine appropriate ground anchoring locations where concrete exists or can be installed.

  • Consider locations where it will be easy to add future stations.

  • If using conduits to pull wires, determine the best conduit layout to minimize linear conduit costs to multiple parking spaces. If possible, avoid or minimize trenching requirements, especially more costly trenching to run conduit under asphalt surfaces.

  • Determine if the existing utility service and electrical panel capacity is sufficient. Identify costs for any necessary upgrades and/or a new dedicated electrical panel. ChargePoint recommends using a licensed electrician to evaluate available capacity and identify any upgrades that may be required.

  • If a dedicated EVClosed Electric Vehicle electrical panel is required, choose a panel located close to the existing electrical supply.

  • Measure cellular signal levels to ensure adequate cellular coverage at the station locations. To ensure adequate signal strength in underground or enclosed parking structures, cellular repeaters may be required. For more information, see Connectivity.

  • ChargePoint recommends avoiding locations under trees where sap, pollen, or leaves would fall on the charging station and increase the station owner’s site maintenance workload.