What is Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB)?
Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) allows us to adapt charging profiles in real time to the actual power available from the grid. This ensures chargers can output as much as they safely can without overloading your electrical supply. It works together with an external meter that constantly measures grid capacity; when demand fluctuates (e.g. all of the lights come on in an office block at 8am), DLB scales charging up or down automatically.
Key benefits:
Prevents tripping circuits or exceeding what your grid connection can deliver
Maximises charging speed when more power is available
Smooth, automatic adjustments so you don’t have to manage anything manually
What is the difference between dynamic and static load balancing?
| Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) | Static Load Balancing (SLB) |
Responsiveness | Real-time, continuous adaptation based on live meter readings | Fixed limits set in advance; does not change dynamically with grid load |
Efficiency | Higher — uses whatever capacity is free at any given moment | Lower — can leave unused capacity if the preset limit is conservative |
Hardware | External meter required, see below section for supported hardware | None |
Cost | Paid feature, contact [email protected] for info. | Free feature |
Use SLB when you have predictable, set maximums and prefer simpler controls; use DLB when you prefer automatic optimization and want to extract maximum performance from your grid connection without manual intervention.
Supported Meters
Tap currently supports the Charge-m8 Libra.
What are meter limits in Dynamic Load Balancing?
There are two types of meter limits in Tap DLB:
Meter limit: This is the normal maximum that is available from the supply, i.e. the upper bound that we will optimise within during normal operating conditions.
Fallback limit: If we lose contact with the meter or the chargers, the fallback limit is the maximum power that we can safely distribute without knowing anything about what is happening in the system.
Meter limits example
We have a group of chargers at an office block.
The grid connection is 100A.
The office block has a minimum load of 30A, and a maximum load of 80A, depending on the time of day.
We would set the Meter limit to 100-30 = 70A
We would set the Fallback limit to 100-80 = 20A
What are Distribution modes in Dynamic Load Balancing?
Distribution modes are like optimisation strategies. Currently Tap supports 2 distribution modes:
Efficient mode: This is the default. We will optimise in the most efficient way possible, using factors like driver preferences.
Equal mode: We will split the available power equally across all chargers, regardless of other factors.
How do I set up Dynamic Load Balancing in Tap?
Reach out to [email protected] and ask them to activate Dynamic Load Balancing for your account.
Navigate to the Tap webportal and open your Location.
Open Other Location Settings and select Charge Control.
Click Change program and select Dynamic Load Balancing.
Choose your brand and model. Enter the Meter ID / serial number from your meter.
Enter your Meter limit and Fallback limit.
Choose your Distribution mode.
Click Save.
Dynamic Load Balancing with Subgroups
Some sites requires subgrouping of chargers due to different limits per circuit. Subgroups work within the limits and distribution mode you configured on the meter.
To add a subgroup:
Navigate to the Tap webportal and open your Location.
Open Other Location Settings and select Charge Control.
Under Subgroups, click Add new.
Name your subgroup.
Add a limit.
Select the chargers you wish to link to the subgroup. Any unlinked chargers will work with the parameters set in the parent group.
How can I monitor my Dynamic Load Balancing setup?
Navigate to the Tap webportal and open your Location.
Open Other Location Settings and select Charge Control.
Click Monitor. Here, you will see queue order, priority scoring, limits, visualisations of amps per phase, and more.