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On-Site Assessment Requirements For The Electrician

A detailed guide for preparing and conducting Plugzio EV charger site visits, covering pre-visit planning, on-site assessments of infrastructure and connectivity, and post-visit reporting to ensure efficient and reliable installations.

Updated over a month ago

1.0 Pre-Visit Preparation

1.1 Project Manager Responsibilities

  • Ensure the electrician has the required insurance documents & licenses

  • Confirm and coordinate a suitable date and time for the site visit

  • Points of contact on-site have been made available to electricians for site/building access

  • The device model and quantity have been defined by the client and have been made known to the electrician.

    • If quantity and model are not known, let the electrician know about Universal+ and Cando devices.

  • Send over specifications about the Plugzio devices going to be installed

  • The connectivity method has been defined by the client and has been made known to the electrician. Options are:

    • Client provides Wi-Fi

    • Client wants a cellular connection

  • If available, outline any desired installation locations to the electrician the options:

    • Most cost-effective locations based on the provided map. Often closest to the electrical room.

    • Specific locations are indicated on an attached map by the client

1.2 Electrician Responsibilities

  • Review any information sent by the project manager

  • Has a camera for taking pictures during the site inspection

  • Has equipment to do connectivity test during the site inspection

    • Wi-Fi Connectivity — One of the following

      • Wi-Fi network scanner or meter

      • Android smartphone with Wi-Fi analyzer app installer

    • Cellular Connectivity — One of the following

      • Cellular network scanner or meter

      • Android or iPhone with AT&T 4G network

2.0 Site Visit Assessment

2.1 Location

  • If a client does not have device location preferences, we need to gather information to make location suggestions. Things that will determine the location are:

    • Distance from the electrical panel

    • Reusable existing infrastructure (i.e. exiting outlets, conduit)

    • Work required to add infrastructure

    • Connectivity (See connectivity section)

  • Survey or scout installation locations, and record if there is a wall to install the EVSE on, or if a pedestal is required to anchor on the ground

    • o If possible, capture photos of locations to include in the report

2.2 Electrical Infrastructure

  • Take pictures of all panels & reusable existing infrastructure

  • Inspect all electrical panels available to assess if the proposed number & type of Plugzio devices can be installed

    • If the number of devices isn't specified, recommend how many of each device can be installed

  • Look for any existing infrastructure that can be reused. For example:

    • Locate all outlets across the parking area

    • Determine if the outlets can be used to install Plugzio devices:

      • NEMA 14-50R for Plugzio Cando EVSE

      • NEMA 5-15/20R for Plugzio Universal+ at 120V

      • NEMA 6-16/20R for Plugzio Universal+ at 240V

    • Determine if outlets are on dedicated circuits or shared

2.3 Connectivity

  • Property is providing Wi-Fi, assess and record the provided Wi-Fi network at each designated (or suggested) device location. See Section 4.1 for instructions.

  • Assess and record cellular reception at each designated (or suggested) device location. See Section 4.2 for instructions.

  • Assess and record potential cellular modem location. See Section4.3 for instructions

3.0 Post-Visit Responsibilities

  • Send a brief report including:

    • Assessment findings and challenges

    • Installation quote based on the site evaluation

    • Pictures taken during the inspection

    • Table of location & signal strength. See section 3.1 for reference

  • Address any questions regarding the installation manual/spec sheets for the Universal+ and the Plugzio Cando devices

3.1 Location & Signal Strength Table

Location

Wi-Fi Signal Strength

4G Cellular Signal Strength

4G Cellular Signal Strength

4G Cellular Signal Strength

(dbm)

RSSI (dbm)

RSRQ (db)

RSRP (dBm)

4.0 Connectivity Check Guide

4.1 Check the Wi-Fi network at Plugzio device locations

  1. Place your Test Equipment (TE) directly beside the designated location for each Plugzio device (i.e. at each stall)

    • If the Plugzio device will be mounted on a wall, place the TE on the wall

  2. Check the Signal strength of the desired network at the location.

    • If using an Android phone as TE, refer to the guide in Section 4.1.1

  3. Repeat for all Plugzio device locations.

    • If the signal strength is good or excellent, this is sufficient for the device to operate reliably.

    • If the signal strength is average or below for any of the devices:

      • Additional extenders will have to be installed, OR

      • The device will have to be relocated

4.1.1 Wi-Fi Signal Strength Guide

Signal Status

Signal Strength (dbm)

Excellent

> -50

Good

-50 to -60

Average

-60 to -65

Poor

-65 to -70

Very Poor

< -70

4.1.2 How to check Wi-Fi network with phone

  • If using an iPhone phone - Currently there is no solution for iPhones.

  • If using an Android phone:

    • Install the following application: WiFi Analyzer (or any equivalent app)

    • Open the WiFiAnalyzer app and observe the scanning results.

4.2 Check Cellular Network at Plugzio Device Locations

  1. Place Test Equipment (TE) directly beside where the Plugzio device is going to be installed.

  2. Check the Signal strength of the 4G LTE AT&T network at the location.

    • If using a smartphone as TE, refer to the guide in Section 4.4

  3. If good or excellent signal...

    • Can be achieved, the client has the option to install Plugzio cellular devices

    • Cannot be achieved, and no other suitable locations are available, proceed to Section 4.3 to find a location to install a cellular modem

      • Note: At this stage, we will have to install Plugzio Wi-Fi devices.

4.3 Cellular Modem Location Guide

  • Find a location where there is potentially good cellular signal strength:

    • The best locations are areas with open sky or near exterior openings

    • If the location of the surrounding cellular towers is known, locations facing a cellular tower is ideal.

    • Avoid selecting a location near potential sources of interference, such as large metal objects, motors, high-power equipment, etc.

  • Check the Signal strength of the 4G LTE AT&T network at the desired location.

    • If using a smartphone as TE, refer to the guide in Section 4.4

  • If the signal strength is good or excellent, a cellular modem can be installed in the location. Reference the "Cellular Signal Strength Guide" in Section 4.2

4.4 How to check Cellular Strength on the phone

  • If using iPhone, ensure it is on the AT&T network, and use the Field Test mode:

    • Open the Phone app

    • On the keypad, dial *3001#12345#*

    • Press call button

    • Under the "LTE" section select "RsrpRsrqSinr"

    • Note the "rsrp" and "rsrq" values

  • If using an Android phone, ensure it is on the AT&T network, and navigate to Settings → About phone → SIM Status → Signal strength

    • The Signal strength value is the RSSI, reference it below on the signal strength guide

Related Article: How can I estimate the cost of the Plugzio installation?

Need help with anything else? Contact the Plugzio customer care team to have a chat with one of the specialists and discuss your concerns.

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