What Is an OCPP Smart Socket?
An OCPP smart socket is a charging socket — typically wall-mounted, with one or more AC outputs — that communicates with a central management platform using the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). OCPP is the global open standard that defines how charging hardware ("charge points") exchange data with charging software platforms ("CSMS — Central System Management Software" or "central system"). Because OCPP is open and vendor-neutral, an OCPP smart socket works with any OCPP-compliant platform instead of being locked to one closed cloud.
In one sentence: an OCPP smart socket is a charging socket you can plug into any OCPP operator platform — like a SIM-free phone that works on any network.
What OCPP Actually Does
- Session control: authorizes users, starts and stops charging sessions (StartTransaction / StopTransaction).
- Metering: streams energy readings (MeterValues) so billing is based on measured kWh.
- Status: reports availability and faults per connector (StatusNotification).
- Remote management: remote start/stop, configuration changes, diagnostics (RemoteStartTransaction, ChangeConfiguration, etc.).
- Firmware: over-the-air firmware updates (Firmware Management profile).
- Smart charging: platform-side power limits and schedules (Smart Charging profile, TxProfile).
Why OCPP 1.6J Is the De Facto Standard
OCPP 1.6J is the JSON-over-WebSocket edition of OCPP 1.6 and is the version most widely adopted by CSMS platforms worldwide. Compared with the old SOAP/XML 1.5, 1.6J is lighter, real-time and firewall-friendly. When a product datasheet says "OCPP 1.6J", it means the device can be integrated with mainstream charging SaaS platforms with minimal custom work. OCPP 2.0.1 adds richer device models and ISO 15118 support; forward-looking hardware such as Wanlin smart sockets supports 1.6J today and is compatible with 2.0.1.
OCPP Smart Socket vs a Normal "Smart" Socket
| Capability | OCPP smart socket | Ordinary Wi-Fi smart plug |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Open standard (OCPP), multi-vendor | Vendor cloud, closed |
| Metering | Per-socket kWh billing to platform | App-only, no operator billing |
| Multi-operator | Switch CSMS freely | Locked to one app/ecosystem |
| Fleet management | Firmware OTA, local auth lists, reservations | None |
| Use case | Commercial charging operations | Home automation |
Who Uses OCPP Smart Sockets?
Charging operators, property management companies, campuses, logistics fleets and cities deploy OCPP smart sockets wherever many users pay for charging: e-bike parking, two-wheeler fleets, and light EV AC charging. The open protocol protects the operator's investment: hardware from different vendors co-exists on one platform, and the platform can be replaced without replacing hardware.
Conclusion: if you operate charging — or plan to — choose hardware that speaks OCPP 1.6J. It is the single specification that keeps your sockets, your software and your business model independent. Wanlin's WANLIN-002 and WANLIN-010 smart sockets are factory-direct OCPP 1.6J devices with per-socket metering and CSMS integration support.
