Why Does My Pod Point Charger Keep Tripping-DIY Steps

Have you ever had that annoying moment when your pod point charger keeps tripping the breaker? Yeah, i’ve been there too.

if your pod point charger is causing this issue, there are a few common reasons why this happens, and some easy fixes can get you back on track. Let’s take a look at why your pod point charger keeps tripping and how to solve it!

Culprits of EV Breaker Tripping

Shared Circuit: EV charging pulls 15-30 amps; mixing that with other devices on a shared 20-amp circuit can easily trip the breaker.

Breaker Malfunction: An aging or worn-out breaker might trip even under a normal 15-amp load, sometimes tripping at 12-13 amps.

Loose/Bad Connections: Corroded or loose wiring at 120V or 240V causes resistance, generates heat, and can push the breaker to trip.

Grounding Issues: Ground faults (like current leakage through water) are detected by the breaker and can trip immediately for safety.

Incompatible or Faulty Charger: Chargers like the Pod Point might pull too much juice (e.g., 12A on a 10A circuit), causing the breaker to trip.

Start-up Surge: EV chargers often draw 3-5 times the normal current during startup, potentially exceeding the breaker’s limits.

Charging Schedule Glitches: Charging during peak times or when there’s grid instability can cause voltage spikes, tripping the breaker.

Pod Point Charger Tripping-Fix Now!

Step 1: Understand the Problem

When your Pod Point charger trips and shows a red light, it indicates a fault in the charging system. This fault can arise from various issues, such as voltage problems, electrical overload, or synchronization issues with newly installed solar panels in home.

Step 2: Initial Inspection

1. Check the Charger Light Status:
   • Red Light: Indicates a fault in the charging system. Charging cannot start or has been interrupted.
   • Blue Light: Typically indicates the charger is in standby mode and ready to charge.
2. Connection Check:
   • Ensure the charging cable is securely connected to both the charger and your electric vehicle.
   • Inspect the cable for any visible damage.

Step 3: Reset the Pod Point Charger

1. Unplug the Charger:
   • Disconnect the charger from the power source.
   • Wait for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
2. Power Cycle:
   • Plug the charger back into the power source.
   • Observe if the red light persists or changes to green or blue.

Step 4: Synchronization with Solar Panels

If you’ve recently installed a solar panel system, it might not be properly synced with your Pod Point charger, causing it to trip.

1. Contact Customer Support:
   • Call Pod Point customer services to assist with syncing the solar panel system to the charger.
   • Explain that the charger started tripping after the solar panel installation.
2. Re-Syncing Process:
   • Follow the instructions provided by customer support to ensure the solar panels and the charger are synchronized correctly.

Step 5: Voltage and Electrical Load Check

1. Voltage Check:
   • Use a multimeter to check the supply voltage. It should be within the standard limits (typically 230-240V in the UK).
   • If the voltage is too high or unstable, it can cause the charger to trip.
2. Reduce Electrical Load:
   • Ensure other high-power devices are not running on the same circuit.
   • Try charging your EV when other major appliances are turned off.

Step 6: Test Charging with Reduced Load

1. Disconnect Other Appliances:
   • Unplug other devices sharing the same circuit to reduce the load.
2. Attempt Charging:
   • Reconnect the charging cable to your EV.
   • Monitor the charger to see if it stays green (charging) or turns red again.

Step 7: Monitor and Maintain

1. Continuous Monitoring:
   • Once the charger is green, monitor it for a few minutes to ensure it doesn’t trip again.
2. Regular Maintenance:
   • Keep the charger clean and check for any signs of wear and tear regularly.
   • Schedule regular electrical inspections to ensure the stability and safety of your charging setup.

Step 8: Use Alternative Charging Methods

1. 3-Pin Plug Cable:
   • Use a 3-pin plug cable as a temporary solution while troubleshooting your Pod Point charger.
2. Public Charging Stations:
   • Consider using public charging stations if you’re having your pod point charger tripping issue again and again despite any remedial action.

How to Prevent Tripping Issues of Pod Point ?

In order to prevent this issue of your Pod Point charger, we make four effective recommendations as follows.

Solution 1: Ensure Proper Configuration and Settings

• Review charger settings: 

Explore the Pod Point charger’s settings to ensure that your desired charging settings match those of your electric car.

The Pod Point Level 2 charger comes with a user guidance manual that explains how to navigate or even unlock the settings via menu.

• Reset to defaults: 

If the modifications have been made to the charger settings before then try to switch all the settings to default values in order to rule out the problem related to configuration.

Solution 2: Verify App Interaction for Free Charging

• Understand app requirements: 
• Get to know more about the app that runs the Pod Point and the process that need to be followed to start a free charging session.

• Make sure that you complete the correct procedures to charge authorization within the application when using free Pod Point chargers for public domains use.

• Contact customer support:

• For any issues that may arise on the app, or anything you find rather unclear, it is wise to contact Pod Point’s customer service.

Solution 3: Replace the EV charging cable or outlet

• Evaluate cable compatibility: 

If you are using a third-party charging cable, think about switching to the Manufacturer’s provided cable or an identical cable from Pod Point.

Subsequently, using an incompatible charging cable implies high power loss and may result in breaker trips under overload conditions.

Consult an electrician:

If you are sure that your outlet or circuit breaker is not sufficient for the charging purpose consult a professional electrician for the modification of the electrical circuit.

How Do I Reset My Pod Point Charger After the Trip?

To get rid of the Pod Point charger tripping the circuit breaker (CB), a simple reset may help restore normal operation. 

Follow these steps:

• Disconnect the charger from the power source (120V or 240V).
• Wait for at least 1 minute to allow any residual electricity to dissipate.
• Reconnect the charger’s receptacle to the 240V outlet.
• Check if the breaker is reset and the charger is functioning properly.

Pod Point Starts Charging Then Stops: Common Causes & Fixes

If your Pod Point charger begins charging and then unexpectedly stops, several technical factors could be at play. Here’s a concise breakdown with actionable solutions:

🔌 1. Scheduled Charging Conflicts

Issue: Your EV or Pod Point may have conflicting charging schedules. For instance, the Nissan Leaf’s charging algorithm can cause brief current spikes that trigger the charger to stop charging for safety.

This is often resolved by disabling overlapping schedules in both the vehicle and the Pod Point app.

Fix: Ensure that no overlapping schedules are set in both the vehicle and the Pod Point app. Disabling these can prevent conflicts and allow uninterrupted charging.

2. Overheating or Overload Protection

Issue: Charging draws significant power, and if the circuit is overloaded or the charger overheats, it may stop charging to prevent damage.

Fix: Check if the charger or circuit breaker is overheating. Ensure the circuit is not overloaded with other devices. If overheating persists, consider installing a dedicated circuit for the charger.

3. Faulty RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overload)

Issue: A faulty RCBO can cause intermittent charging stoppages. Users have reported issues where the RCBO buzzes or crackles during use, indicating potential faults.

Fix: If you notice unusual sounds or intermittent charging, have the RCBO inspected and replaced if necessary.

Does Pod Point Stop Charging When the Battery Is Full?

Yes, Pod Point chargers are equipped with smart charging capabilities that detect and stop taking more charging amps when your EV battery is full. 

Once the battery reaches its maximum capacity, the electric car charger automatically stops supplying more amps (A) to the vehicle, preventing overcharging and optimizing energy efficiency.

FAQs:

How do I report a fault to Pod Point?

To report a fault, one must visit the websites of Pod Point and access the support page for detailed procedures on how to do so. 

Can poor connections in my house wiring cause Pod Point charger tripping?

Yes, it is true that the problems in the house wiring may also lead to issues with the tripping of the breakers on your Pod Point charger. 

What should I do if I notice a smell after a Pod Point charger trip?

In any case, if there are any strange odours after a Pod Point charger trip then the first thing to do is to minimize risks. In the event that your charger has become faulty, ensure that you unplug the charger from the power source and consult Pod Point customer service for further assistance. 

Final Thoughts:

The complete guide you have studied reveals your ability to recognize and handle Pod Point charger breaker tripping incidents. Security always takes priority while any challenge requires assistance from professionals. Following the solution steps as well as understanding specific causes will enable you to achieve unimpeded Pod Point Car charging.

Your car and you should enjoy this experience of charging your EV while traveling.