There are several factors that can cause a charging session to end or terminate. This article will describe these factors as well as provide solutions and recommendations on how to prevent sessions from stopping unwantedly.
Below are typical reasons why a charging session may terminate or end:
Session Is Terminated From The User's Cloud Dashboard
Session Is Terminated From The User's Cloud Dashboard
When a user starts a session, the user has the ability to remotely terminate the session from the user's dashboard. In order to terminate a session, the user will have to:
Log in and navigate to the "Dashboard" page
Click the "Turn Off" button on the "Recent Sessions" tile.
This is typically done intentionally by a user. However, if you think that someone is accessing your account and terminating your charging sessions, please change the password of your account.
User Wallet Runs Out of Money
User Wallet Runs Out of Money
When using a Plugzio device, there may be a cost associated with the device. This cost is displayed prior to the device's activation. If the user's wallet runs out of money mid-session, the session will automatically terminate, and the user will be billed only for what they have used.
In order to reactivate the session, the user's wallet must have a positive balance. The balance of your wallet, as well as a transaction history, can be viewed under the "Wallets" page.
To top up your wallet, please follow the How to top up the Plugzio wallet guide.
Vehicle Is Unplugged From The Plugzio Device
Vehicle Is Unplugged From The Plugzio Device
All Plugzio devices turn off immediately when the current drawn from the device goes to zero. This is a safety feature in order to prevent a scenario in which other people unplug the user's charger and charge at their expense.
That being said, unplugging can sometimes be done unintentionally if the charger connected is hanging off the Plugzio device and/or not plugged in properly in the beginning. For example:
In order to prevent the above situation, we recommend either:
Use a charger with the right angled connectors
Install a charger mount near the Plugzio device for the charger and its cables to rest on.
Example of a right angled charger:
Example of wall mounts for chargers:
Vehicle Is Fully Charged
Vehicle Is Fully Charged
A fully charged vehicle will typically automatically stop drawing current from the Plugzio device. This scenario is similar to the unplug scenario above and the Plugzio device will detect a drop to zero current and end the session.
By automatically ending the session, users are only billed for how much electricity they have used and for how long the vehicle was charging.
Vehicle Is Not Plugged In Within the Session's Grace Period
Vehicle Is Not Plugged In Within the Session's Grace Period
When a session is first activated, there is a 60 second grace period before Plugzio's unplug detection kicks in. This gives time for both the user to plug in as well as for the vehicle to start requesting current from the device. If no current draw is detected within this time period, the unplug detection kicks in and the session will be terminated.
We strongly recommend plugging your vehicle into a Plugzio device before activating a session to avoid this scenario.
Manager Terminates The Session Remotely
Manager Terminates The Session Remotely
Managers are people who own the infrastructure as well as the Plugzio device. In some cases, managers may want to make devices unavailable. An example of why they may want to do this is for maintenance. However reasons can vary depending on the management's decision.
If you think your sessions are being terminated by the manager. Please contact the device management to find out. The manager's contact information can be found when attempting to activate a device.
Manager Has Set Up A Time-Based Payment Plan Where The Device Is Not Available During A Portion of The Charging Period
Manager Has Set Up A Time-Based Payment Plan Where The Device Is Not Available During A Portion of The Charging Period
Managers have the ability to create payment plans with dynamic pricing that varies with time. One of these abilities includes setting time periods which a device is not available for use.
Upon activating a device, you will be shown the payment plans for the next 24 hours, as well as the ability to view the payment in further detail if you wish to see the payment plan for more than 24 hours. This will also show you any time periods where the device is not accessible to users. For Plugzio units with time-based plans, review the plan before starting the session to avoid surprises.
When a session is terminated, the user will only be billed for what they have used, as well as the duration of the session up to the termination time. Users can always view payment breakdowns and session history under the "Session History" page.
Example of a user activating a device with a time-based plan:
Plugzio Device Loses Power Or Is Rebooted
Plugzio Device Loses Power Or Is Rebooted
Plugzio devices are constantly recording and monitoring session duration and electrical consumption. Therefore, when a Plugzio device loses power or is rebooted, the session data right before powering off/rebooting is maintained on the device.
When a Plugzio device boots up, it will automatically attempt to connect to the cloud. Once connected to the cloud, the session data on the device is immediately sent to the cloud, and the session is terminated at a time before the device is powered off. Users are then billed only for what they have used, as well as the duration of the session up to the termination time.
Sessions are terminated upon boot-up since the Plugzio device does not know how long it has been powered off, or if an unplug/re-plug has occurred when the device is powered off. This is to make sure that the user is billed as accurately as possible and to avoid any power theft.
Plugzio device losing power is typically caused by a breaker trip, or if the reboot button on the device is pushed.
Plugzio Device Loses Internet Connectivity For A Prolonged Period of Time
Plugzio Device Loses Internet Connectivity For A Prolonged Period of Time
Plugzio WiFi and Cellular devices depend on constant cloud connectivity to ensure accurate billing and consumption monitoring. When a Plugzio device loses connectivity for a prolonged period of time (i.e. 20mins+), the device will automatically record and store the most recent consumption and session duration locally before attempting to terminate the session and connect back to the cloud. Once connected back to the cloud, the device can be reactivated to start a new session.
Cellular devices rely on cellular data for cloud connectivity. If the cellular network goes down or is blocked for some reason, the session may be stopped.
WiFi devices rely on a WiFi network for cloud connectivity. If the WiFi goes down or is blocked for some reason, the session may be stopped.
Need help with anything else? Contact the Plugzio customer care team to have a chat with one of the specialists and discuss your concerns.