Breaker Trip Issue

Experiencing a tripped breaker with your ZEFNET EVSE can be frustrating, but it's a easily resolved issue that can often be resolved with a few simple checks. This guide will help charger owners, installers, and those executing service programs identify and address the root causes of a tripped breaker.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Check the Breaker Status

First, inspect the breaker connected to your ZEFNET EVSE. Breakers can trip due to various reasons such as power surges, ground faults, or even old breakers becoming sensitive over time. Here's what to do:

• Locate the Breaker: Identify the breaker dedicated to your EVSE in the electrical panel.
• Check the Position: Ensure the breaker is in the "off" position. Flip it back to the "on" position to reset it.
• Test the Breaker: If the breaker immediately trips again, it might indicate an underlying issue such as a ground fault or a short circuit. You may need to test the breaker with a multimeter or consult with a professional electrician to ensure it’s still functional.
• Check Breaker Capacity: Sometimes an incorrectly sized breaker is installed, for example, a ZEFNET-60 requires a 60 amp breaker, even though it only outputs 48 amps.  A 50 amp breaker will trip, given enough time charging.

2. Inspect the Charger and Connections

After addressing the breaker, check the EVSE itself and its connections:

• Status Lights: Observe the status lights on the front of your ZEFNET charger. These lights can provide valuable information about the operational status and any errors.
• Connections: Ensure that all electrical connections are secure. Loose connections can cause intermittent faults that might trip the breaker.

3. Check for Ground Faults

Ground faults are a common cause of breaker trips. Here’s how to identify and address them:

• Inspect Grounding: Verify that the grounding connections in your main service panel and at the charger are secure. The ground and neutral should be correctly connected.
• Test for Noise: Electrical noise from other appliances (such as coffeemakers or blenders) can interfere with the EVSE. Unplug these devices and see if the issue persists.

4. Power Cycle the Charger

Sometimes, a simple power cycle can clear error states:

• Turn Off the Charger: Switch off the EVSE and wait for about 10 seconds.
• Turn It Back On: Power the charger back on and observe if the issue is resolved.

5. Log a Support Issue

If the breaker continues to trip after performing the above steps, it’s time to contact support. When logging a support ticket, provide the following information to help diagnose the problem:

• Serial Number: The unique identifier of your charger.
• Location: Where the charger is installed.
• Photos: Include photos of the status lights and breaker positions.

Submit a support ticket through the ZEF Energy support portal with these details.

Preventative Measures

To minimize the chances of breaker trips in the future, consider the following:

• Regular Maintenance: Periodically inspect and maintain your EVSE and its electrical connections.
• Upgrade Old Breakers: If your electrical panel has old breakers, consider upgrading them to more reliable modern units.
• Minimize Electrical Noise: Keep high-noise appliances on separate circuits if possible.

By following these steps, you can ensure a more reliable operation of your ZEFNET EVSE and reduce the likelihood of breaker trips.

For more detailed troubleshooting and support, visit the ZEF Energy Support website.