Terminology
The following is a brief explanation of some terms that are important for understanding this documentation. For a more detailed understanding of the OCPP protocol and an explanation of other terms from the OCPP protocol, the OCPP specification must be consulted.
The first table explains the most important terms for a basic understanding of the components:
Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
Charging Station (2.0.1) | The Charging Station is the physical system at which an electric vehicle can be charged. A Charging Station has one or more EVSEs. A Charging Station has the name Charge Point in OCPP version 1.6. |
Central System (1.6) | Term for the central management system. This term is replaced by CSMS in version 2.0.1 of the OCPP specification. |
Charge Point (1.6) | The Charge Point is the physical system at which an electric vehicle can be charged. A Charge Point has one or more Connectors. A Charge Point has the name Charging Station in OCPP version 2.0.1. |
Connector | According to the OCPP specification, a Connector is an independently operated and managed socket at a Charge Point. |
CSMS (Charging Station Management System) (2.0.1) | Term for the central management system. This term replaces the term Central System from version 1.6 of the OCPP specification. |
EVSE (2.0.1) | An EVSE is considered an independently operated and managed part of the Charging Station that can supply energy to one vehicle at a time. |
The second table contains further explanations of terms relating to the OCPP protocol:
Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
Charging Profile | Generic Charging Profile that is used for different types of profiles. Contains information about the profile and contains the Charging Schedule. |
Charging Schedule | Part of a Charging Profile. Defines a block of limit values for the charging power or the charging current. Can contain a start time and a length. |
Charging Schedule Period | Specific time period in a Charging Schedule. A Charging Schedule contains one or more Charging Schedule Periods. |
Configuration Key | Configurable setting in a Charge Point/Charging Station. |
Local Authorization List | The Local Authorization List enables the Charge Point/Charging Station to authorize charging processes even if it is temporarily unable to communicate with the Central System/CSMS. |
MeterValue | Container for one or more SampledValues at a specific point in time. |
SampledValue | Single sampled value that can contain various data. |
Transaction (1.6) | The part of the charging process that begins when all relevant preconditions (e.g. authorization, plug inserted) are met. It ends the moment the charge point leaves this state irrevocably. |
Transaction (2.0.1) | A transaction in OCPP is a part of the overall charging process of an electric vehicle that starts and ends based on configurable parameters. These configurable parameters relate to moments in the charging process, such as connecting the electric vehicle or the authorization of the driver. |
Unknown Offline Authorization | The Charge Point/Charging Station has the option of admitting unknown users in an offline situation and checking their authorization afterwards. |