Full Certification and Partial Certification of the OCPP Protocol
The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is a widely adopted open-source communication standard for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Version 1.6 of OCPP is particularly notable for its flexibility and support for smart charging features. When certifying OCPP 1.6 implementations, there are two main paths: full certification and partial certification. Understanding the differences between these two types of certification is crucial for manufacturers, network operators, and other stakeholders in the EV charging ecosystem.
OCPP 1.6 Full Certification
Full certification of OCPP 1.6 involves a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation to ensure it meets all the mandatory requirements and optional features specified in the protocol. This certification is typically conducted by an independent third-party organization.
Advantages
Interoperability: Full certification ensures that the charging station or management system can effectively communicate with other OCPP-compliant devices, regardless of the manufacturer. This interoperability is essential for building a seamless charging network.
Reliability: Implementations that undergo full certification are rigorously tested, reducing the likelihood of communication errors or failures in real-world scenarios. This enhances system stability and user satisfaction.
Market Acceptance: Products with full certification are generally more trusted by network operators and consumers, facilitating wider adoption and integration into existing infrastructure.
Security: The full certification process includes strict verification of security standards to protect data and prevent unauthorized access.
Process
The full certification process involves a series of tests covering all aspects of the protocol:
Security: Verifying that the implementation adheres to security standards.
Core Functionalities: Ensuring basic communication and control features work as intended.
Optional Features: Testing additional capabilities that may be implemented, such as smart charging or reservation systems.
OCPP 1.6 Partial Certification
Partial certification focuses on a subset of the protocol’s features, allowing manufacturers to certify only specific functionalities relevant to their product.
Disadvantages
Interoperability Limitations: Since only part of the protocol’s features are certified, partially certified products may encounter compatibility issues when communicating with other devices, limiting their use in multi-vendor environments.
Functional Limitations: Partially certified products may not provide a complete user experience or support all potential use cases due to the limited scope of certification.
Security Risks: Partial certification may not include comprehensive security testing, increasing the risk of potential security vulnerabilities.
Process
The partial certification process includes:
Documentation: Detailed documentation is required to specify which parts of the protocol are certified and which are not.
Feature Selection: Manufacturers choose which protocol features to certify.
Targeted Testing: Only the selected features are tested, simplifying the process.
Conclusion
When choosing between full and partial certification of OCPP 1.6, it is important to consider the intended use of the product, budget constraints, and market demands. Currently, most OCPP products on the market opt for partial certification to simplify the process. However, HuiZhi Technology’s OCPP router has chosen to pursue full certification from the customer’s perspective, offering comprehensive functionality and enhancing the competitiveness of charging station products.