Cable lock keeps the charging cable locked in the charger, also after the car is unplugged. How to turn it on in the Monta app and Monta Hub, which chargers support it, and answers to common questions.
For: Charge point owners using the Monta app, and operators using Monta Hub.
Cable lock keeps the charging cable locked into your charge point, also after the car is unplugged. The cable stays in the charger's socket, so nobody can walk off with it, and it's always there for the next charge. You turn it on per charge point, in the Monta app or in Monta Hub.
Why use cable lock?
- Stop cable theft. Charging cables are expensive and easy to take from a charger with a socket. With cable lock on, the cable can't be pulled out of the charger.
- The cable is always there. Leave the cable plugged into the charger at home or at work, so it's ready when you arrive and you don't need to carry it in the car.
- Shared parking. In car parks, shared driveways and workplaces, the cable stays with the charger instead of going home with the wrong person.
How it works
- Cable lock is for chargers with a socket, where you plug in a separate cable. Chargers with a fixed (tethered) cable already have the cable attached.
- When you turn it on, Monta sends a setting to the charger telling it not to release the cable when the car is unplugged. The charger itself does the locking.
- The car end of the cable is controlled by the car, not by the charger. Unlock your car to release that end, as usual.
- Cable lock only works if the charger model supports it. If it doesn't, the option is greyed out and can't be turned on. Check the supported charge points list on the Monta website.
How to turn it on in the Monta app
- Open your charge point in the Monta app and tap the settings icon.
- Open Other settings.
- Turn on Lock cable ("The cable will be locked to the charge point").
To remove the cable from the charger later, turn Lock cable off again.
How to turn it on in Monta Hub
- Open the charge point in Monta Hub and go to Settings → Configuration.
- Under Operational controls, turn on Cable lock.
- Save your changes.
For many charge points at once: select them in the charge points list and use the Lock cable bulk action. Charge points whose model doesn't support locking are rejected. The bulk action can only lock; to unlock, turn Cable lock off per charge point.
Operators can also turn cable lock on and off through the Partner API.
Cable lock, Unlock cable and Cable available: what's the difference?
| Feature | What it does | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| Cable lock | A setting that keeps the cable locked in the charger, also when no car is connected. | Owners and operators |
| Unlock cable | A one-off remote action that releases a cable that's stuck after a session. | Drivers (if enabled, and not while cable lock is on), owners and operators. See Remote actions drivers can trigger. |
| Cable available | A label telling drivers the charger has a cable, so they don't need to bring their own. | Operators. See What does "Cable available" mean? |
FAQ
Does cable lock stop someone unplugging my car while it's charging?
During a charge, the charger already keeps the cable locked in its socket, with or without cable lock. The car end is locked by your car. Cable lock is about what happens after the car is unplugged: the cable stays locked in the charger instead of being released.
How do I take the cable out of the charger?
Turn Lock cable off in the Monta app (or Cable lock in Hub), wait a moment for the charger to pick up the change, then pull the cable out. While cable lock is on, the Unlock action isn't offered to drivers, so turning the lock off is the way to release the cable.
My cable is stuck. Is it cable lock?
- Stuck in the car? Lock and unlock your car, then unplug. The car controls that end.
- Stuck in the charger? Check whether Lock cable is on for the charge point. If it is, the owner or operator needs to turn it off.
- Still stuck? Make sure the charger is online, and reboot it if needed. If the cable still won't release, contact the charger owner or the manufacturer: some models have known problems releasing the cable.
Why is the Lock cable option greyed out or missing?
- Your charger model doesn't support it. The app shows "Your charge point model is not compatible with this setting at the moment."
- The charger is offline. In the app, the option is greyed out until the charger is back online.
- You don't have permission to change the charge point's settings. Ask the owner or an admin.
- Some white-label home chargers are read-only in the app, so their settings, including Lock cable, are hidden.
I turned it on, but the cable still comes out. Why?
The switch shows the setting saved in Monta, not proof that the charger applied it. Check that the charger is online and that the model supports cable locking. Then test it: unplug the car and try to pull the cable from the charger. If it still comes out, contact your Monta contact or the manufacturer.
What if the charger is offline when I change the setting?
The setting is saved in Monta, but the charger can't receive it until it's back online. It's normally sent again when the charger restarts. Once it's back, test the cable to check the setting took effect.
Can drivers turn cable lock off?
No. Only people who can change the charge point's settings can turn it on or off: the owner, account admins, and the operator in Hub. Drivers using the charger can't.
Does cable lock work with a fixed (tethered) cable?
There's nothing to lock: a tethered cable is already attached to the charger. Cable lock is for chargers with a socket.
Does cable lock affect charging, prices or smart charging?
No. It only controls whether the charger releases the cable after the car is unplugged.
Is Monta locking my cable?
The lock is part of the charger's hardware. Monta only sends the setting that tells the charger to keep the cable locked, and the Unlock command when you ask for it.
The Lock cable option was missing in the app on my iPhone.
This was a known issue in the Monta app for iOS, and it's been fixed. Update the app to the latest version.