What Equipment Do You Need to Test EV Charge Points?

Testing an EV charge point involves a combination of electrical safety checks and EV-specific verification. Electricians need to simulate the presence of an electric vehicle, check how the charge point responds and verify the protective measures built into the installation.

That means having the right combination of a multifunction tester (MFT), an EVSE adaptor and test accessories.

Di-LOG’s ALVA EV Series has been developed specifically for electricians working with Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), with options suited to domestic EV installations as well as more advanced or high-volume testing.

What Tests Are Required on an EV Charge Point?

EV charge point testing can involve a combination of standard electrical installation tests and EV-specific checks.

Depending on the installation, these may include:

• Continuity testing
• Insulation resistance testing
• Earth fault loop impedance testing
• RCD testing
• 6mA RDC-PD/MD testing
• Control Pilot (CP) verification
• EV connection and charging state simulation
• Fault simulation

The equipment you choose therefore needs to cover the electrical installation itself as well as the specific functions of the EV charge point.

Start with a Multifunction Tester

An MFT forms the basis of your EV charge point testing equipment.

Di-LOG’s ALVA MFT is designed for 18th Edition installation testing and supports RCD Types AC, A, B, B+, EV and F. It also includes intelligent 2/3-wire loop detection, insulation resistance testing and automated continuity and earth loop testing.

For EV work, importantly, it also provides 6mA RDC-PD/MD testing. This allows the protection incorporated into modern EV charging installations to be verified using the same tester used for the wider electrical installation.

For electricians requiring additional functionality, the ALVA MFT Pro adds features including Zmax/Imax recording, earth resistance testing and internal memory for up to 1,000 results.

Why Do You Need an EVSE Adaptor?

An MFT alone isn’t the complete solution.

An EV charge point is designed to communicate with an electric vehicle before supplying power. To run functional tests without a vehicle connected, you need an EVSE adaptor that can simulate the relevant vehicle states.

Di-LOG offers two options within its current EV range: the DLEVLite and DLEV1.

DLEVLite EVSE Charge Station Adaptor

The Di-LOG DLEVLite is a compact Type 2 EVSE adaptor designed for testing Mode 3 EV charge points.

It connects directly to a Type 2 charging socket and simulates an EV connection, providing access for electrical measurements using an MFT.

The DLEVLite can simulate Control Pilot states A, B and C, representing different stages between no vehicle being connected and the charge point being ready to supply power. It can also simulate a CP Error E condition, allowing you to check the charger’s response to a fault condition.

With 4mm test connections, it works with the ALVA MFT as well as most standard multifunction testers. It supports both single and three-phase charge point testing.

For electricians primarily working on domestic Type 2 EV charge points, it provides a compact way to add EVSE testing capability to their test equipment.

DLEV1 EVSE Charge Station Adaptor Kit

For more advanced EVSE testing, Di-LOG offers the DLEV1 EVSE Charge Station Adaptor Kit.

The DLEV1 can simulate both Proximity Pilot (PP) and Control Pilot (CP) states required to energise wall-mounted and fee-standing EV chargers. It is supplied with both Type 1 and Type 2 connector plugs, giving electricians greater flexibility across different EV charging equipment.

Paired with the ALVA MFT Pro EV, it also supports more advanced EV testing, including CP signal checks, load simulation and protective earth fault testing.

This makes the DLEV1 particularly suited to contractors working across a wider variety of EV installations or carrying out EV testing regularly.

Which Di-LOG EV Testing Setup Do You Need?

Rather than buying each part separately, Di-LOG offers complete ALVA EV test kits that pair the appropriate multifunction tester with an EVSE adaptor.

ALVA MFT EV

The ALVA MFT EV Installation Multifunction Tester Kit combines:

• ALVA MFT Installation Tester
• DLEVLite EVSE Adaptor

This provides a compact solution for electrical installation testing and Mode 3 EVSE verification.

Alongside the ALVA MFT’s standard installation testing capabilities, the kit provides 6mA RDC-PD/MD testing and Control Pilot verification through the DLEVLite.

For electricians carrying out domestic EV charger installation and inspection work, the ALVA MFT EV provides the core electrical and EV-specific testing functions in one kit.

ALVA MFT Pro EV

For contractors who need greater functionality, the ALVA MFT Pro EV Installation Multifunction Tester Kit combines:

• ALVA MFT Pro Installation Tester
• DLEV1 EVSE Adaptor Kit
• Type 1 and Type 2 EV charging adaptors

The Pro EV setup builds on the standard EV kit with additional test and recording capabilities. These include EV Auto Test Sequences, Zmax/Imax recording, earth resistance testing and memory for up to 1,000 results.

The DLEV1 also provides additional EVSE functionality, including PP and CP simulation and protective earth fault testing.

For contractors managing more complex installations or carrying out a higher volume of EV testing, the ALVA MFT Pro EV provides a more comprehensive solution.

Can You Add EV Testing to an Existing MFT?

You don’t necessarily need to replace your existing multifunction tester to start testing EV charge points.

The DLEVLite has standard 4mm test connections and is compatible with most multifunction testers, making it a practical option for electricians who already have a suitable MFT but need an EVSE adaptor for Type 2 charge points.

The DLEV1 is also available separately for electricians who require its additional functionality.

The important point is to check that your existing MFT supports the tests required for the EV installation you’re working on, particularly the relevant RCD and DC residual current protection.

Don’t Forget Safe Isolation Equipment

EV testing equipment forms only part of the electrician’s test kit.

Safe isolation procedures still apply when working on EV charging installations, so suitable voltage indication, proving and lockout equipment should also be available.

Di-LOG’s wider electrical test equipment range includes voltage indicators, proving units and safe isolation equipment that can be used alongside its EV testing products.

Choose the Right EV Test Equipment for the Work You Do

There isn’t one EV test setup that will suit every electrician.

If you mainly work on domestic Type 2 charge points, the ALVA MFT EV with DLEVLite provides a compact solution covering installation and EVSE testing.

For contractors working across more varied or complex EV installations, the ALVA MFT Pro EV with DLEV1 adds greater EVSE functionality, advanced testing features and result storage.

Already have a suitable MFT? Adding a DLEVLite or DLEV1 EVSE adaptor may give you the EV testing capability you need without replacing your existing tester.

Get the Right Kit for EV Testing

Ready to add EV testing to your services or upgrade your current kit? Di-LOG has professional EV test equipment designed for electricians working with today’s charge point installations.