EN To protect EV charging cables from theft, combine physical cable protection, a clear view of the charging area and a team that knows how to respond. Plan these measures around parked vehicles, opening hours and the people responsible for the site.
For an operator, a stolen cable means more than buying a replacement. The affected output stays out of use until the cable is replaced and safety checks are complete. This guide focuses on fixed cables at commercial DC charging sites and the practical steps to include in a prevention plan.
1. Where Should You Start with Cable-Theft Prevention?
Start with how people reach the chargers, what is visible when a vehicle is parked and who responds outside staffed hours. Walk the site before choosing equipment, then check the camera view again with a vehicle in the bay.
For an open public car park, include the routes people use to approach the chargers and the arrangements for unattended hours. For a fleet depot or workplace, identify who inspects the cables and reports damage. Controlled entry still leaves the team responsible for equipment that drivers handle every day.
The copper inside charging cables is one reason they are targeted. Energy Saving Trust identifies copper theft as a cause of damage to charging infrastructure in its February 2026 guidance. It also highlights the inconvenience for drivers and the risks to an operator’s reputation when charging points are repeatedly or continuously out of use.
2. How Can a Camera Help Monitor the Charging Area?
The camera’s job is to show what is happening around the charger and provide recordings for review. EVB’s optional system sits above the cabinet, close to where drivers pick up and return the connectors, and includes the following functions.
- Live viewing and recording: view the live image, record video and play back recordings.
- Night vision: view the equipment area after dark.
- Anomaly detection and an audible alarm: the system supports anomaly detection and sounds an alarm at the charging site.
Review the charger camera alongside any existing site CCTV so the team knows what each view covers. Give the responsible people access to live viewing and playback, and agree who will act when the audible alarm sounds. An alarm needs a response plan as well as a sound.
3. How Can You Protect the Cable Itself?
The optional woven metal-mesh sleeve covers the entire exposed length of the charging cable. It adds a physical protective layer around the outside of the charging cable and is also suitable for liquid-cooled charging cables. EVB has carried out internal shear tests on the metal-mesh protection.
Specify the cable length and connector when ordering. At handover, check the mesh along the full exposed cable length. Then follow the equipment instructions to check that the connector reaches the vehicle’s charging inlet and returns to its holder normally. Maintenance staff also need access for the required inspections.
4. Are Access Controls and Connector Locks Enough?
No. They control access and retain the connector; the exposed cable needs its own protection. Keep the three functions separate when choosing equipment.
- Charging authorisation: access cards and other authorisation methods control who can start a charging session.
- Connector locking: a lock secures the plug when engaged. The exposed cable remains outside that locking point.
- Cable protection: an external metal-mesh sleeve adds a physical protective layer around the cable itself.
Choose the camera and cable protection when ordering the charger. Both are optional across EVB’s DC charger range and cannot be added after installation.
5. What Should You Check Before Opening the Site?
Check the installed equipment, demonstrate the camera functions, try normal cable handling and confirm the response arrangements. Record these four checks at handover so the operating and maintenance teams have the same information.
Scroll sideways to read the handover checks.
| Area | What to demonstrate | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Supplied equipment | Match the installed charger, camera and protected cable to the equipment list. | Charger model, camera and cable assembly. |
| Camera view and access | Check the camera view with a vehicle parked. Follow the equipment instructions to demonstrate live viewing, video playback, night vision and the audible alarm. | Camera view, viewing access, recording playback and audible-alarm check. |
| Cable handling | Check protection along the full external cable length, then check normal connection and return to the holder under the equipment instructions. | Operating instructions and inspection findings. |
| Maintenance and response | Walk through reporting damage, restricting use and contacting qualified maintenance. | Responsible people, service contacts and repair route. |
6. What Should You Do If a Cable Is Cut or Stolen?
Keep the affected equipment out of use and keep people away. Electrical Safety First advises stopping use of a damaged charging cable and contacting a registered, competent electrician to arrange replacement.
From a safe position, record the affected bay and output, when the damage was found and what is visible. Keep the relevant camera recordings. Authorised personnel should follow the site’s safety procedure, arrange the replacement and complete the required checks before reopening.
Include routine inspections in the maintenance plan. Report loose mesh, cable damage or a changed camera view to the designated service contact. Use the inspection intervals and replacement methods in the equipment instructions.
Planning Cable Protection for a New DC Charging Site?
Send EVB your site plan, opening hours and required cable length to discuss the camera and cable-protection options for your new chargers.
Explore EVB DC charging solutions to start planning the configuration.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Are the camera and metal-mesh protection standard features?
No. Both are optional features across EVB’s DC charger range. Select them when ordering new equipment.
Is the metal-mesh protection suitable for liquid-cooled charging cables?
Yes. It is suitable for liquid-cooled charging cables and covers the full external cable length.
Can these options be fitted to an existing EVB DC charger?
No. Both are options for new EVB DC chargers and cannot be added after installation.
8. References
- Energy Saving Trust — EV charger vandalism. Copper-related theft and the effect of chargepoint downtime. Published 26 February 2026; accessed 10 November 2026.
- Electrical Safety First — Electric vehicles. Charging-cable checks and advice on damage. Accessed 10 November 2026.
