Foto cFos Power Brain

cFos Power Brain Controller
The EVSE Controller

The cFos Power Brain Controller is a controller for installation in an EVSE for charging electric cars according to IEC 62196 (type 2). For this purpose, the cFos Power Brain Controller monitors the "Charge Pilot" (CP) and "Proximity Pilot" (PP) signals of the connection cable to the EVSE. A resistor in the cable signals the maximum charging current for which the cable is designed via PP. CP is used to detect the car, monitor short circuits and signal the maximum charging current via PWM.

The cFos Power Brain Controller is a charge controller and has the following components:

  • 230V relay for switching a 3-phase contactor to release the charging current
  • optional connection of a DC residual current sensor from Western Automation
  • RS 485 interface
  • I2C interface for connection of displays and RFID readers (1)
  • 2 S0 inputs (2)
  • GPIO Pinheader with numerous analog and digital inputs and outputs
  • 230V integrated power supply

                        Diagram of cFos Power Brain Controller Input/Output Connections (Revision F)
Diagram of cFos Power Brain Controller Input/Output Connections (Revision F)

At the heart of the cFos Power Brain Controller is an ESP32 from Espressif Systems. With the help of this powerful microcontroller, the cFos Power Brain Controller can speak the following communication protocols:

  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, including full TCP/IP stack
  • OCPP 1.5 and OCPP 1.6 (SOAP and JSON), both client and backend
  • HTTP, MQTT
  • Modbus TCP and RTU

You can therefore use cFos Power Brain Controller to build a EVSE that speaks OCPP and Modbus at the same time and can also be controlled via an HTTP API. Such EVSEs can then be easily networked via WiFi

The cFos Power Brain Controller can read meters via Modbus, e.g. the ABB B23 112-100 (but also others according to your requirements) or up to two S0 meters via the S0 inputs. With this charge controller, the wallbox can be inexpensively equipped with an intermediate meter for billing purposes and at the same time optionally read other meters from consumers or generators (solar system).

Of course our own EVSE uses the cFos Power Brain Controller.

Questions and Answers regarding cFos Power Brain Wallbox, cFos Power Brain Controller and cFos Charging Manager

Further features

  • Charge controller for wallboxes
  • Simultaneous operation as access point and as WiFi station (i.e. logged into the local WLAN router)
  • Firmware update via WLAN
  • Modbus RTU/TCP Proxy
  • Operation as charging manager.
    Full functionality, like the cFos Charging Manager.
    At least 10 additional EVSEs can be controlled.
  • Integrated WLAN access point
  • Connection of display and RFID reader (1)

(1) Only for devices supported by the cFos Power Brain Controller, i.e. only for controllers installed in large numbers in EVSE EVSEes from OEM partners. For the cFos Power Brain Wallbox, only the respective scope of equipment described there applies.
(2) The inputs can be controlled via a potential-free switch. The cFos Power Brain Controller supplies 12V voltage for this purpose.

Documentation

EU Declaration of Conformity

Download EU Declaration of Conformity (JPG) for cFos Power Brain Controller

WEEE registration number according to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (ElektroG): DE 30077948