§14a EnWG with Easee
Understand who the rules affect, which Easee solutions are available and how the control path works.
This guide explains what §14a EnWG means for Easee charging installations in Germany. It shows who is affected, how Easee receives the control signal, which metering solutions are supported and which connection is used between the Equalizer and chargers.
01What §14a EnWG means
§14a EnWG allows the distribution system operator to temporarily reduce the grid-effective power used by certain controllable devices when the local low-voltage grid is under high load.
Temporary control
The charging point normally uses the available power of the installation. During a grid control event, the permitted grid-effective power is reduced. Charging can continue at the available level.
Connection and reduced network charges
In return for participating in controllable operation, the operator receives a reduction in network charges. The grid operator may not refuse or delay connection solely because of a possible local grid overload.
How the 4.2 kW value is used
For one directly controlled charging point, 4.2 kW is the minimum grid-effective power that must remain available during a control event. It is not a permanent charging limit. If several controllable devices are coordinated through an energy management system, an aggregate value and a simultaneity factor apply.
02Who is affected
The current rules generally apply when all of the following conditions are met.
The charging point is not publicly accessible
This includes charging at private homes, apartment buildings, workplaces and restricted company or fleet sites. Publicly accessible charging points are generally outside this §14a category.
The grid-connection capacity is above 4.2 kW
The threshold refers to the charging point's grid-connection capacity, not to the power used in one individual charging session.
The installation is connected to the low-voltage grid
The connection may be direct or indirect behind the building's grid connection point.
The charging point was commissioned from 1 January 2024
Different transition rules may apply to older installations or to installations that are later replaced or materially changed. The responsible grid operator determines the required control technology and process.
03How §14a control works with Easee
Easee uses a physical control path. The external control request is passed to the Equalizer, which provides the configured limit to the charging circuit.
The grid operator issues a control request
The request is made available through the external control device, such as an FNN control box or ripple control receiver.
The external contact changes state
A potential-free contact is connected to the selected supported metering solution. The exact contact logic and wiring depend on the selected device and grid-operator specification.
The Equalizer provides the control value locally
The Equalizer receives the control state and sends the configured limit to the relevant primary charger or chargers.
The chargers adjust their power
The charging circuit applies the available value while the request is active. When the request ends, normal site and circuit limits apply again.
04Choose an Easee solution
Each setup uses an Equalizer together with one of the supported metering solutions. The suitable option depends on the installation size, metering method, PV requirements and number of control levels.
| Solution | Typical range | Configuration | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equalizer Amp | Included CT clamps: up to 100 A | One control level in the Installer App; two to four levels through Easee Support | Easee metering, physical control inputs and optional PV surplus charging are required. |
| Circutor CVM E3 Mini | Up to 250 A | Support-assisted Modbus configuration | The selected design uses the supported CVM meter and its documented control states. |
| Janitza UMG 604 Pro | Larger installations from 100 A | Support-assisted Modbus configuration | A larger installation requires compatible CT clamps or Rogowski coils and the matching project drawing. |
The drawing must match the selected solution
For installations within the included CT range, the Equalizer Amp combines energy measurement with the inputs on its expansion connector. Circutor CVM E3 Mini and Janitza UMG 604 Pro use different installation drawings. The selected number of control levels also changes the required wiring.
Open the Equalizer Amp installation drawing and English legend
This drawing applies to an Equalizer Amp connected to an FNN control box with one control level (0% / 100%). Use it only when the selected solution and control-level configuration match.
View drawing at full size
Scroll horizontally and vertically to inspect the drawing at its original size.
| German label | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Lastabwurf über FNN-Steuerbox | Load shedding via FNN control box |
| Strommessung | Current measurement |
| Erweiterungsanschluss | Expansion connector |
| Netzteil | Power supply unit |
| Steuerader | Control wire |
| Rückleiter 0 V | 0 V return conductor |
| Potenzialfreier Schließer | Potential-free NO contact; closes during load shedding |
| Klemmenplan & Legende | Terminal plan and legend |
| Steuerkreis 24 V DC | 24 V DC control circuit |
| Leistung 230 V AC | 230 V AC power supply |
| FNN-Steuerbox · Kontakt S1 | FNN control box · contact S1 |
| Wandler L1/L2/L3 | CT clamps / current transformers L1/L2/L3 |
Other metering solutions and control levels
Easee provides separate drawings for Equalizer Amp configurations with one to four control levels, Janitza UMG 604 Pro and Circutor CVM E3 Mini. Open the official drawing index and select the entry that matches the installed meter and number of control levels.
Open all §14a installation drawingsPhysical control connection
EEBUS is not supported for this Easee §14a configuration. If a different digital interface is planned, it requires a separately documented and approved project design.
05Separate the radio signal (RF), local WiFi and internet
Before commissioning, identify the local path that carries the Equalizer's control value. WiFi and internet are not the same dependency.
| Connection | What it connects | When it is required |
|---|---|---|
| Easee Link RF | The Equalizer and the primary charger locally by radio. | In a site with one charging circuit, RF is sufficient for the local Equalizer control path when coverage is reliable. |
| Local WiFi | The Equalizer and the primary chargers on the same local network. | A site with several charging circuits requires the Equalizer and all primary chargers to use the same WiFi network. |
| Internet | The installation to Easee Cloud for configuration, remote status and software updates. | Internet is not required for the local §14a control loop after commissioning, provided the required RF or local WiFi path remains intact. |
A local network does not require internet access
If internet access fails but the required local RF or WiFi connection remains intact, the Equalizer can continue local load balancing. A new physical §14a request received through the Equalizer Amp can also be applied locally.
Do not use cloud status as proof of the local control path
An installation can appear offline in the app while local RF communication still operates. Conversely, an online cloud status does not prove that the Equalizer can reach every primary charger locally. Verify the path that applies to the site's number of circuits.
Compare local and cloud load balancing06How the system is installed and configured
The hardware, external contact and local communication path must be complete before GPI Ripple Control is configured in the Installer App.
Installation by an authorised electrician
The metering solution, external control device and charging installation must be installed and commissioned by qualified personnel according to the current product guides and applicable electrical regulations.
Install the selected metering solution
Install the Equalizer Amp or supported Modbus meter, sensors, supply and Equalizer according to the current guide. Confirm sensor direction and the same phase sequence at the metering solution and chargers.
Connect the external control signal
For the Equalizer Amp, connect the external potential-free contact to the inputs on the expansion connector as shown in the drawing. Use the matching drawing for the selected solution and number of control levels.
Open the Equalizer in the Installer App
Open the relevant site, select the Equalizer and confirm that the correct meter is configured.
Open GPI Ripple Control
Open Meter, then select GPI Ripple Control.
Enter the verified control values
Turn on Use Ripple Control. Enter the control value and contact behaviour defined for the installation.
Use Support for additional levels
The standard Equalizer Amp flow configures one control level in the Installer App. Two to four levels require Easee Support and the wiring drawing for the selected number of levels.
Equalizer P1 cable
The Equalizer P1 is supplied with a custom 1.5 m RJ12-to-RJ12 cable. The product guide permits an extension up to 15 m.
Open the Equalizer installer guide
07Check the complete setup
The setup is complete when the real external signal has been applied, the local communication path has been verified and the resulting charging power has been recorded.
Record the normal state
With charging active, record the external contact state, configured control value, charger power or phase currents and available site power.
Apply the real control request
Trigger the external control device using the commissioning method agreed with the grid operator. Confirm the contact changes and the Easee installation reaches the required value.
Verify the local communication path
Record whether the site uses one circuit with Easee Link RF or several circuits on the same local WiFi network. Where required by the acceptance plan, repeat the control test without internet access while keeping the local connection intact.
Complete the installation record
Record the control method, selected drawing and revision, contact logic, control levels, number of circuits, local communication path, measured results and the responsible Site Owner.
Expected result
The normal and active control states match the documented site design. Where internet-independent operation is part of the acceptance test, the same result is reached with the local RF or WiFi path intact and internet access unavailable. A software setting or simulated status alone does not verify the external contact, wiring and local communication path.
If the result is unexpected
Start with the first point where the measured result differs from the documented signal path.
The charger does not respond to the control request
- Confirm that the external device changes to the documented active contact state.
- Check the wiring against the exact drawing for the selected solution and number of levels.
- Confirm the configured contact behaviour and control value in GPI Ripple Control.
- Verify the local Equalizer-to-charger path for the site's number of circuits.
- Repeat the end-to-end test with charging active and enough available site power to make the reduction visible.
Internet is unavailable
Check the local path separately. For one circuit, confirm Easee Link RF between the Equalizer and primary charger. For several circuits, confirm that the Equalizer and all primary chargers remain connected to the same local WiFi network. Loss of internet access alone is not the same as loss of the local network.
Several circuits do not respond consistently
- Confirm that every primary charger and the Equalizer use the same local WiFi network.
- Check the local connection of each primary charger.
- Repeat the real control request and record which circuit first differs from the expected result.
The Equalizer appears offline in the app
An offline cloud status does not by itself prove that the local control loop has failed. Check the Equalizer LED status, local RF or WiFi path and the response to a real control request before changing the §14a configuration.
Compare local and cloud load balancingCharging power is lower than the configured control value
Check available power at the main fuse, current on each phase, the charging-circuit limit, the vehicle's phase use and any active charging schedule or access rule. The configured §14a value is a ceiling during the active state, not a promise that the vehicle will draw that amount.
If the measured behaviour still differs from the documented design
Contact Easee Support
Include the site key, charger and Equalizer serial numbers, product and firmware versions, number of circuits, selected drawing, configured contact logic and levels, local communication path, timestamps and the measured result in the normal and active states.