Seal & Design and EV Charging Stations

Posted on:

December 20, 2022
11:19 am

EV Charging Stations

According to Forbes, in Q2 2022, Electric vehicles (EVs) sales accounted for 5.6% of the total auto market (up from 2.7% in Q2 of 2021). This is a significant gain in market share. And to some peoples surprise, EV’s are a growing market sector beyond just consumer vehicles. In fact, EVs extend to fleet vehicles such as terminal tractors and terminal trucks for shipping containers, transport trucks, tow tugs and even tractors. While we talk a lot about the growing market for electric vehicles, we can’t forget that with the rapid growth of this comes a demand for EV charging stations.

These supporting equipment for EVs can be located in a wide range of locations. Indoor charging stations usually need to be protected against dust particles and other debris. Outdoor electric vehicle charging stations can be exposed to elements such as snow, ice, and rain. Seal & Design can provide solutions to aid in protection in EV charging stations.

How Can Seal & Design Help?

We offer a broad range of UL listed gaskets and seals. Working with companies such as 3M, Rogers Corporation, Armacell and more (see below for our Key Suppliers). We have you covered.

Some examples of UL rated products are referenced standards that Seal & Design has worked with for quite some time now. Here are some notable UL standards for EV charge stations:

UL 50 – Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, Non-Environmental Considerations
UL 50E – Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, Environmental Considerations
UL 94 – Standard for Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances
UL 508 – Standard for Industrial Control Equipment
UL 746C – Standard for Polymeric Materials – Use in Electrical Equipment Evaluations

EV Charging Gaskets

With advancements in cells, modules and packs, battery technology is now producing; longer ranging, faster charging, and more efficient powerful batteries, which require protection from heat and environmental stresses such as rain, salt spray, UV and Ozone.

Silicone closed cell sponge is the ideal material to provide the protection needed to improve lifespan and efficiency and reduce electrical failure. Seal & Design is pleased to offer Silicone Engineering’s family of high-quality silicone materials and products.

Silicone Engineering has produced a gasket for an electric vehicle charging port that would act as a protective seal against water ingress and dust whilst compressed inside the EV charging connector. Additionally, the gasket would have the capability to provide additional flame protection in an electrical fire whilst compressed within the application.

ExpanSil™ V-0 Medium cord can be looked towards as a gasket solution due to the materials excellent compression set and its ability to maintain the stability of performance in temperatures ranging from -60°C to 230°C (-76°F to 450°F).

Tested and approved to flame standard UL 94 V-0, the closed-cell silicone sponge gasket provides extra flame protection, offering a comprehensive sealing solution.

Where we can also help is custom molded rubber components for EV charging stations. Meaning no matter the project, Seal & Design can fill any of your molded rubber requirements whether they be transfer, injection or compression molded from any type of elastomer.

At Seal & Design we also offer custom made gaskets for all types of EV enclosures. We have an amazing team of experts that are available to your next project. For a more in depth read about all types of electrical enclosures that require gasketing, check out our blog about the subject.