Charging sockets
All you need to know about sockets and their associated charging modes
Within electric vehicles, both plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and purely electric cars (BEV) can have their batteries recharged from the grid.
For enabling this process, four charging modes have been settled, each of them with several standards that ensure protection and information from the batteries’ status through electrical plugs.
The international standard IEC 61851 (Electric vehicle conductive charging systems) defines the charging modes for electric vehicles:
Charging modes
Mode 1
Slow charge in alternating current, single-phase or triphasic, with a maximum intensity of 16 A per phase (from 3.7 to 11 kW).
- There is no communication between the vehicle and the charging point. A standard grounded socket is used.
- The protection (thermal-magnetic and earth leakage circuit breakers) is located in the installation from which the energy is supplied*.
Mode 2
Slow charge in alternating current, single-phase or triphasic, with a maximum intensity of 32 A per phase (from 3.7 to 22 kW).
- A special cable is required, with an intermediate protection device and control of the battery charge level. A standard grounded socket is used.
- The protection (thermal-magnetic and earth leakage circuit breakers) is located in the installation from which the energy is supplied*.
Mode 3
Slow or semi-fast charging in alternating current, single-phase or three-phase, with a maximum current of 32 A per phase (expandable to 64 A).
- A specific plug is required, which allows smart communication between the vehicle and the charging station, providing the minimum necessary data such as consumed energy, battery charge level...
- The most widely used connector in Europe is type 2 (Mennekes) and, to a lesser extent, type 1 (J1772).
Mode 4
Fast charging in direct current, with a maximum current of 400 A.
- The connector is specific as well; it allows communication between the vehicle and the charging point.
- Two connectors are used in the European market: Combo 2 (CCS2) and CHAdeMO sockets.
- CHAdeMO: this Japanese standard has been adopted by some european manufacturers.
Associated sockets
Mode 3
Type 1
Standard plug in the USA and Japan, with 5 pins and a maximum current of 80 A.
Type 2
European standard plug, with 7 pins and maximum current of 16 A (single-phase) or 63 A per phase (three-phase).
Mode 4
Combo 2 (CCS2)
The European standard is an “extension” of the Type 2 connector, enabling two charging modes (Mode 3 and Mode 4) with a single vehicle socket.
CHAdeMO
This Japanese standard has been adopted by some manufacturers in Europe.