AC EV Charging Connectors and Inlets

Type 1 (SAE J1772 ) Connectors & Inlets

The Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) defines the general physical, electrical, communication, and performance requirements for EV charging systems used in North America, as part of the SAE J1772 standard. Below are the current charging levels that are practiced in the North American market.

SAE J1772 (Type 1) is a single-phase connector and is a standard for EVs in North America and Japan. It allows you to charge your car at a rate of up to 19.2 kW. Of course, this is contingent on the compacity of your car’s onboard charger, voltage, and amperage grid capability.

Charging Levels

Charging “levels” are specific to SAE J1772 and are used to categorize the rated power, voltage, and current of the charging system. The standard currently has 2 different EV charging levels for AC Charging.

• AC Level 1: Residential charging from a standard 120V outlet with a maximum current of 12 or 16A. This delivers a maximum power of 1.44kW or 1.92kW. In this configuration, the EV’s onboard charger converts AC to DC.
• AC Level 2: Residential, Workplace charging from a standard 240V outlet or from a dedicated EV charge point (EVSE). In this scenario, 240V AC, with a maximum current of 80A provides for a maximum power of 19.2KW. In this configuration, the EV’s onboard charger converts AC to DC.

Type 2 (IEC 62196) Connectors & Inlets

IEC 62196 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles is a series of international standards that define requirements and tests for plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets for conductive charging of electric vehicles.

Triple-Phase Type 2 Connectors

IEC 62196 (Type 2) connectors have three additional wires allowing for triple-phase power and current providing for higher charging rates when compared to single-phase SAE J1772 Type 1 connectors. For residential charging, the highest charging rate is 19.2 kW, while charging stations can achieve charging rates of up to 43 kW. Again, this is dependent on the compacity of your car’s onboard charger, as well as your scenario’s voltage and amperage grid capability.

NACS AC EV Charging Connectors Overview

KST offers a range of AC NACS EV charging connectors designed to meet the diverse charging needs of electric vehicle (EV) users. These connectors are designed with varying amperage ratings and cable specifications to provide flexibility and reliability in EV charging. Here’s an overview of the three available models:

1. VCPN2A032A0 – AC 32A

• Charging Type: AC 32A (32 Amperes of Alternating Current)
• Cable Specification: This connector features a robust cable configuration with 3 x 10AWG cables and 6 x 22AWG cables. The combination of cable sizes ensures efficient power delivery and durability during charging.

2. VCPN2A050A0 – AC 50A

• Charging Type: AC 50A (50 Amperes of Alternating Current)
• Cable Specification: Designed for higher power demands, this model includes 2 x 8AWG cables, 1 x 10AWG cable, and 6 x 22AWG cables. It offers increased charging capacity while maintaining flexibility.

3. VCPN2A080A0 – AC 80A

• Charging Type: AC 80A (80 Amperes of Alternating Current)
• Cable Specification: Ideal for rapid charging, this connector is equipped with 2 x 6AWG cables, 1 x 8AWG cable, and 6 x 22AWG cables. It provides the highest charging capacity in the lineup, suitable for fast-charging EVs.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Wide Range of Charging Capacities: KST’s AC NACS EV charging connectors cover a spectrum of charging amperages, catering to different EV models and charging scenarios.
• Durable Cable Construction: Each connector comes with a combination of high-quality cables, including thicker gauge cables for power transmission and standard AWG cables for signal communication, ensuring both durability and safety.
• Versatile Compatibility: These connectors are designed to work with various EV charging standards, making them suitable for a wide range of electric vehicles.
• Easy Installation: KST connectors are user-friendly and easy to install, making them suitable for both residential and workplace charging scenerios.

KST’s AC NACS EV charging connectors are designed to deliver reliable and efficient charging experiences, meeting the evolving needs of the electric vehicle industry while ensuring safety and durability. Users can choose the appropriate model based on their charging requirements, making KST connectors a valuable addition to EV charging infrastructure.

GB/T 20234 Connectors & Inlets

GB/T 20234 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles is a series of international standards that define requirements and tests for plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets for conductive charging of electric vehicles.

The AC standard (GB/T 20234.2) EV connector and inlet use the same interface connector as the European IEC 62196-2 Type 2 connectors but the gender of the GB/T 20234.2 connector and inlet has been reversed.  GB/T 20234.2 specifies a male connector and female vehicle inlet.  Like IEC 62196-2 Type 2 EVSE Outlets and Plugs,  GB/T 20234.2 also specifies a female Charging Station Outlet and a male Charging Station plug.  Furthermore, GB/T 20234.2 uses CC/CP (charging confirmation and control pilot) signals. IEC 62196-2 specifies PP/CP (proximity pilot and control pilot) signaling.

Mode 2 (250 V)

It allows mode 2 (250 V) or mode 3 (440 V) single-phase AC charging at up to 8 or 27.7 kW, respectively. In Mode 2, power is supplied with a current of 10/16/32A and a voltage of 250V. In Mode 3, power is supplied with a current of 16/32/63A and a voltage of 440V.  Although the seven-pin interface does support three-phase AC power,  KST’s current product offering only supports single-phase power.

In general, charging speeds are also limited by the vehicle’s onboard charger, which is usually less than 10 kW. The onboard charger converts the AC input power to DC.