Electric vehicles (EVs) aren't just "the future." They're already here in a big way. Municipal fleets are electrifying, corporations are installing chargers for employees, and private industries are racing to meet surging consumer demand.

Yet, installing chargers is only half the story. Keeping these chargers online, efficient, and secure is a significant challenge - one that often goes unnoticed until a big outage or a hefty utility bill arrives. That's why SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems and reliable remote monitoring gear (for telecom equipment) are needed for their success.

In the next few minutes, you'll learn:

• Why SCADA matters for EV charging
• The hidden failure points beyond the charger itself
• How dependable monitoring gear complements any SCADA system
• How to manage grid strain, scale to more sites, and maintain security

Let's begin!

The Actual Definition of "EV Charging Infrastructure"

When people think of EV charging, they picture a standalone pedestal in a parking lot. However, real EV charging infrastructure includes:

• AC Chargers (Level 1 & Level 2) and DC fast chargers
• Power supply equipment (transformers, rectifiers, UPS)
• Network equipment (routers, switches, modems)
• HVAC systems to regulate temperature in enclosures
• Security systems (cameras, door sensors, access control)

If any of these components fail - even if the charger hardware itself is fine - your site can go offline. That's why full visibility is so important.

What Is a SCADA System for EV Charging?

SCADA is an architecture for supervising and controlling industrial systems. In EV charging:

• You see which chargers are online, offline, or in fault
• You can remotely reboot chargers or collect performance data
• You get real-time alerts for failures
• You can integrate usage data for load management

SCADA acts as a centralized "control tower," making sure you don't have to wait for complaints to realize there's an issue.

A complement to SCADA here (and the terms are often used interchangeably) is "remote site monitoring" of telecom equipment. That usually involves monitoring the infrastructure that carries SCADA commands between you and your equipment.

For simplicity, I'm occasionally just going to use the term "SCADA" here to cover the entire remote monitoring/control system. When needed for clarity, I'll use more specific wording.

You Need SCADA for EV Charging

Having a SCADA system for EV charging means your system has:

Real-Time Visibility

Without SCADA, a charger might go down at 2 A.M., and you won't know until a customer reports or complains about it. SCADA provides continuous visibility, so you can respond immediately.

Rapid Incident Response

When you get an alarm that says "Site Offline," SCADA makes remote troubleshooting possible. You'll know whether it's the charger itself or supporting gear. This saves time and cuts down on site visits.

Energy Load Management

Large sites and DC fast chargers can place a big strain on local utilities. SCADA lets you anticipate surges, shift loads, and avoid utility penalties.

Scalability & Standardization

Managing a few chargers is simple, but managing hundreds isn't as easy. SCADA helps you unify monitoring, apply updates remotely, and maintain consistent reporting.

A SCADA System Needs Good Data

A SCADA system's usefulness depends on the quality of data inputs it receives. If your SCADA only checks charger status, it won't tell you why a site is down. Is it a tripped breaker? A fan failure in the battery backup? A network outage?

That's where remote telemetry solutions come in. By monitoring the full site, you can see the actual cause of downtime so you can resolve it as fast as possible.

Find Gear That Fits into Your EV Rollout

At DPS Telecom, we specialize in remote site monitoring (and general SCADA equipment, except for very specific & massive production/treatment/manufacturing facilities). We don't build chargers or SCADA platforms. We provide the critical site-level data those systems need. Our NetGuardian Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs) keep tabs on:

• Power infrastructure: rectifiers, generators, UPS
• HVAC status: temperature sensors, filter cleanliness, fan operation
• Battery health: voltage levels, charge states
• Network connectivity: pings, SNMP checks
• Door intrusion and access control: sensors and alarms

Easy Alarm Integration

NetGuardian RTUs support open protocols like SNMP (v1-v3) and MODBUS. You can also get email or SMS notifications. Whether you have an existing SCADA system, or are building one, these RTUs integrate without forcing a full system overhaul.

Rugged and Reliable

EV chargers often live in tough environments (extreme heat, cold, or humidity). Our devices are temperature-hardened, DIN-rail or rack-mountable, and available with backup power options.

Create a Smarter Charging Infrastructure

An EV charging network is more than a collection of pedestals. It's an integrated system that needs:

1. SCADA for high-level visibility and remote control
2. Dependable RTUs for granular, site-level insights

Together, they offer:

• Higher uptime and customer satisfaction
• Lower maintenance costs with fewer truck rolls
• A future-ready infrastructure (one that can grow as you do)

EV Charging Puts a Strain on Power Grids

As more EVs hit the road, charging sites are placing unprecedented demands on local utilities. DC fast chargers can draw massive current in short bursts (at peak times of the day), creating peak loads that can trigger:

• Transformer overloads
• Breaker trips
• High-demand utility fees

By monitoring switchgear, rectifiers, and power flow with NetGuardian RTUs, you can spread out loads, schedule charge sessions, or switch to battery backups when usage spikes.

Remote Site Visibility: How "One More Site" Becomes Hundreds

Many EV projects start with a handful of chargers. Over time, you're managing dozens, then hundreds of geographically dispersed sites. Without remote monitoring, you'll waste too much time and money on:

• Unnecessary site visits
• Reactive fixes to unexpected outages
• Delayed repairs when real problems go unreported

That's why a reputable RTU becomes non-negotiable at scale. NetGuardian RTUs help you keep a close watch, no matter how many sites come online.

Integrate with Existing Charging Management Systems

A common fear is that new monitoring gear will force you to replace existing management software or charger platforms. The good news is NetGuardian RTUs aren't vendor-specific. With standard protocols - SNMP, MODBUS, DNP3, etc. - it fits into most SCADA or charger management systems. Whether you use ChargePoint, ABB, Siemens, or a homegrown solution, you won't need to ditch your current setup.

Build for the Long Haul: Rugged Monitoring Matters

EV chargers endure rain, snow, heat waves, dusty highways, and other significant environmental conditions. Monitoring gear that fails first isn't going to be helpful. Choose devices, like NetGuardians, that are equipment to handle harsh environments. You'll want equipment that has:

• Wide operating temperatures
• Conformal coatings for moisture or salt spray
• Locking connectors to stay secure in vibration-prone areas
• Durable enclosures for DIN or rack mounting

A good practice is to choose a manufacturer that offers a support team available to troubleshoot issues quickly (if they ever arise). The stronger the reputation of the gear, the better.

Downtime is Costly - Proactive Monitoring Pays Off

Consider the ripple effects of a charging outage. You may have to face:

• Lost revenue (especially at busy sites)
• Damaged reputation among EV drivers
• Frustrated fleets with tight schedules
• Potential SLA penalties in municipal or corporate contracts

Over time, these costs will add up. Proactive remote monitoring often pays for itself by preventing just a few major outages. With real-time alarms and remote diagnostics, you can fix problems before they become an expensive crisis.

Implement Security and Access Control for EV Charging Sites

EV chargers are digital endpoints, just like any other network-capable gear. This makes them potential cyber targets. They're also physical objects that can be vandalized. With NetGuardian RTUs, you'll be able to:

• Monitor door sensors for intrusions
• Tie in cameras or motion detectors via contact closures and/or SNMP
• Log maintenance access (via key switches or card readers)
• Send real-time alerts on unauthorized tampering

Security is much more than digital firewalls. It's also physical site protection. A compromised charging station can erode public trust and risk broader network breaches.

Ready to Add DPS Gear to Your EV Charging Rollout?

If you're deploying or expanding EV charging, don't overlook the infrastructure that powers and protects those chargers. By adding NetGuardian RTUs - and other reliable monitoring gear - to your SCADA system, you'll:

• Track critical power and cooling
• Catch failures early
• Minimize downtime and maximize revenue
• Simplify scaling to new locations

Get a Customized EV Monitoring Solution

DPS Telecom has decades of experience helping utilities, telecoms, and public agencies build reliable monitoring solutions. We'll integrate with your existing platforms, or supply a complete system if you're just getting started.

Let's Discuss Your Needs

• Call 1-800-622-3314
  
• Email sales@dpstele.com

Together, we'll design a solution to keep your chargers (and your business) fully charged and ready for the road ahead.