Abstract: A device and a method for determining a load index of a power converter as part of a charging device for electrically operated vehicles. Included is a power converter which has power electronics switching equipment and a control device for controlling this, wherein a logging device stores a plurality, preferably at least three, particularly at least five, of characteristics of the charging device and in particular of the power converter, having an evaluation device, which evaluates the plurality of characteristics and determines the load index therefrom and, when a first threshold value of the load index is reached, transmits this information about this to a first superordinate decision device.