.png)
In the world of EV infrastructure, there is a specific kind of failure that keeps O&M managers up at night: the "Ghost Charger". This is a station that appears "Available" or "Green" on your Central Management System (CMS), yet every charging session fails the moment a driver initiates a handshake.
You’ve sent the remote reset commands. You’ve checked the network pings. From the comfort of the office, everything looks fine – but on the sidewalk, the charger is a brick. As OCPP 2.0.1 and high-security TLS 1.3 protocols become standard, these "logical hangs" are becoming more complex. When the software can no longer reach the hardware, you need more than a reboot; you need a physical recovery protocol. This manual is your guide to grounding the ghost.
Remote resets only cycle the Application Layer of a charger's firmware. If the fault originates in the Physical Layer (like a welded contactor), the Communication Layer (a hung cellular modem), or the Safety Layer (a tripped internal GFCI), the software command never reaches the hardware CPU. In these "terminal" states, the charger's logic is effectively locked in a buffer loop, requiring physical intervention to restore the power path.
A remote reset is a "soft" reboot; it doesn't always discharge the internal capacitors or clear the cache of the communication board.
If the modem is "ghosting" (powered but not transmitting), it may ignore incoming OCPP traffic.
If the charger says "Available" but won't deliver power, the contactor might be physically stuck.
The "Ghost" often lives in the Control Pilot (CP) signal – the 1kHz pulse that "talks" to the car.
When an Over-the-Air (OTA) update fails, the station can enter a "Bricked" state where it pings but won't execute commands.
You should dispatch a technician if a charger fails to respond to three consecutive reset commands or if the internal logs show a CX011 (Isolation Fault) or CX002 (Ground Failure). These codes indicate physical safety breaches. Attempting multiple remote resets on a hardware safety fault can lead to component overheating or permanent damage to the vehicle's onboard charger.
The era of "blind resets" is over. In 2026, maintaining a 97% uptime rating means understanding that not all faults are visible from a dashboard. By equipping your team with a physical diagnostic manual, you turn "No Fault Found" truck rolls into high-value repairs. Real uptime isn't managed on a screen – it’s built on the ground, one handshake at a time.
Want to see how FieldEx automates your physical execution layer? Book a free demo today, or reach out. We’re here to help.
.avif)
.avif)
This website and its content are the property of FieldEx and are protected by copyright laws. © 2026 FieldEx. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited, except with our express written permission.
FieldEx Pte Ltd Singapore