Effective protection of EV chargers against vandalism is planned at the scale of the whole car park. The charger unit, the cable, the connector and the way users move around the site form a single system. An accessory can address one specific area; the way the site is organised is what makes it possible to spot anomalies and prevent damaged equipment from remaining in use.
Assess the exposure, choose a protection for each risk, check day-to-day use and decide who steps in when an incident occurs.
Walk round the site with a clear objective
Observe the charging points in the conditions in which they are actually used. Identify isolated areas, corners that are hard to see from the buildings, cables left on the ground and equipment that already shows marks. Also look at what happens when the bays are occupied: a cable may end up across a route that seemed clear when the car park was empty.
Group your observations by area rather than lumping every problem together under the word “security”. A connector that has fallen to the ground may be a storage issue. A forced lock concerns access to the charger unit. A severed cable calls for a technical response and for the equipment to be taken out of service. Making this distinction avoids investing in a device that does not address the damage actually encountered.
Record the facts with their date and location. Do not turn an impression into a statistic. If you have no history to go on, a regular observation grid will let you compare the situation before and after any changes. Any useful photographs should be taken without handling suspect equipment.
Protect each area according to its risk
| Area | What to examine | Possible response |
|---|---|---|
| Charger unit | Direct access, mounting, controls. | Approved mounting and a compatible enclosure. |
| Cable | Exposed length, signs of attack. | Cut-protection assessment and inspection. |
| Connector at rest | Storage, falls, removal. | Suitable holder, with locking where relevant. |
| Parking bay | Occupancy and manoeuvres. | Access arrangements and signage. |
| Walkways | Obstacles or cables running across. | Review the cable route and the layout. |
The Vault enclosure adds a barrier around a compatible wallbox. Its sizing, clearances and ventilation must be validated. It does not replace protection against vehicle collisions and does not cover the length of cable left outside it.
For that exposed length, a cut-protection configuration request lets you specify the dimensions and the conditions for integrating it. The choice depends on the actual cable, the charger and the way users handle it.
Make proper storage the obvious choice
A storage point that is close by, accessible and easy to understand encourages users to put the connector back where it belongs. Check that a user can hang the connector back up without pulling the cable taut or forming tight loops. A holder mounted at the wrong height can discourage proper storage and leave the cable lying on the ground.
For an unplugged Type 2 connector, a Dock Code combination-lock holder combines storage with retention at rest. If you need organisation without locking, a Loop Type 2 holder may be considered, depending on its compatibility. Do not present these holders as cut protection.
In a shared car park, explain the expected routine with a short instruction: finish charging, put the connector away, return the cable to its holder. Add a clear way of reporting a problem. Users should not have to guess whether obviously damaged equipment has already been reported.
Organise access without creating new obstacles
Restricting access to the car park and using the authorisation features built into the charger can complement physical protection. Distinguish between the people authorised to park, to charge and to work on the equipment. A charging badge does not replace mechanical protection of the cable.
A Park manual parking barrier is used to manage the occupancy of a bay in a suitable layout. It is not presented as a certified anti-collision bollard. Before installing it, check vehicle manoeuvres, pedestrian routes and access to the equipment.
If you change the lighting or are considering surveillance of the site, define the need with the site manager and the professionals concerned. The arrangements you choose must comply with local requirements and with the way the premises are used. Do not keep adding equipment without specifying who maintains it and who receives reports.
Set up a simple inspection routine
Set a frequency suited to your activity and to the level of exposure you have observed. Routine inspection means observing the visible condition of the equipment, without opening the charger or dismantling accessories. Technical work remains the job of qualified personnel.
- Check that housings and holders show no visible damage.
- Look for signs of strain, cutting or impact on the cable.
- Observe the condition of the connector without touching its contacts.
- Check that walkways remain clear.
- Check that the support contact details are legible.
- Log any anomaly together with the charging point’s identifier.
Do not treat a charging session that starts normally as proof that the cable is intact. If there is damage or any doubt, stop using it and request an inspection. Our guide to damaged cables sets out the precautions to take.
Prepare your response to damage
A procedure should state who receives the alert, who prevents further use and who decides when the equipment can be returned to service after inspection. On a site with several contractors, the support number and the charger identifier must be easy to pass on.
If there is visible damage, keep people away from the equipment concerned. Use only the normal means of making it safe that can be reached without danger, and notify the operator or the professional responsible. Do not go near bare or exposed parts and do not attempt a makeshift repair.
After the intervention, document the cause identified and the changes decided: better storage, a different layout, mounting or cable protection. The aim is to deal with the weak point observed, not to pile up accessories without checking that they are actually useful.
Build a realistic equipment plan
Start with the anomalies that affect use or the condition of the equipment. Then compare protective measures, taking their installation and maintenance into account. For several chargers, a trial on a representative configuration lets you gather feedback before rolling it out more widely.
Our guide to mounting and anti-theft enclosures details the checks to carry out around the charger unit. The comparison of cut-protection options helps you prepare the case for the cable. These two decisions are best coordinated with your maintenance provider.
Equip your charging car park
Several charging points? Send your configuration to Proctelec so we can prepare a selection area by area.
