The most important charging cable and plug types for electric cars

There are many things to consider when buying an electric car. Last but not least, it should be ensured that 22kw 3 phase car charger is at home or on the go as soon as it is necessary.

For this you need – at least according to the current status – inevitably a suitable charging cable. You can find out what you need to know about charging cables and plug types for electric cars here:

Charging cable for e-cars

So that standards for the production, use and safety of charging equipment can also be established for the e-mobility market. There are also certain standards for charging cables that they must meet.

For example, the IEC 62196 is an important international standard that is valid for plug types, connections and sockets as well as for ready-made charging cables for electric vehicles.

There are four different charging modes for 22kw 3 phase car charger:

Mode 1:

Corresponds to the charging process at household sockets with earthing contact

Mode 2:

One- to three-phase charging processes via a permanently coded signal on the connector side

Mode 3:

It comes with specific charging connector systems for electric vehicles with pilot and control contact

Mode 4:

It is capable of rapid charging controlled by an external charger

However, charging e-cars with Mode 1 and Mode 2 charging mode is not recommended because a) these take far too much time and b) chargers with these modes are not designed for proper personal protection during charging processes.

Safely charged at normal household sockets

EV can usually be safely charged at normal household sockets or industrial sockets. Other e-vehicles require at least mode 3-capable charging stations and 22kw 3 phase car charger in order to be able to be charged quickly, conveniently and safely.

Mode 3-capable charging cables are intended for fast charging up to 250 A, but the charging current is usually limited to 32 A by the standardized pilot contact using a type 2 plug.

The Type 2 charging cable with Mode 3 charging mode is currently the most common model on the market, as this standard has become established among manufacturers and users.

Plug types for charging cables for e-cars

At the same time, charging options for electric cars were being worked on in various places around the world. The plugs were not only adapted to the usual power grid there, but also to other electronic standards in the countries.

As a result, different 22kw 3 phase car charger came onto the market at the same time, especially between Europe, Asia and the USA, which of course made a global standardization process more difficult. Depending on where a car manufacturer comes from, a corresponding electric car has the usual plug type.

In Europe, the Type 2 plug and the Type 2 socket outlet have become established among manufacturers of e-cars and charging stations. E-car owners are therefore very well served with a Type 2 charging cable based on Mode 3. Various adapters as accessories also bring even more flexibility.

The vehicle-side connector input

As already mentioned, there are different 22kw 3 phase car charger types depending on the country of origin of the manufacturer. On the side of the electric car there is either a type 1 or type 2 plug for AC charging. Some electric vehicles have a second connection for DC charging (Kinouwell KW-PEVC3401).

We have provided you with a detailed overview of all electric cars and their plug types as a PFD at the end of this article.

The plug input on the charging station side:

This is more complicated on the other side of the charging cable: Depending on where you want to plug in this end of the 22kw 3 phase car charger. You need a corresponding type of plug.  

Normally, there is at least one type 2 socket at every public charging station in Germany in accordance with Section 3 of the Charging Station Ordinance. For this reason, it is important that e-car owners carry their own cables in the e-car to be on the safe side.

In the event that an electric car has a type 1 plug, there are corresponding cables for type 2 (station side) – type 1 (vehicle side). There is at least one Combo 2 coupling at normal and fast charging points where direct current charging is possible.

The most important 22kw 3 phase car charger at a glance

Type 1 connector

• widespread in Asia and America
• up to 7.4 kW (230 V, 32 A)
• for single-phase AC charging
• designed for the American 120/240 volt single-phase three-wire network
• no standard locking on the vehicle side (for electrical security and anti-theft protection)

Many electric vehicles from Asian manufacturers are still equipped with it. However, the manufacturer often supplies a type 2 (station side) – type 1 (vehicle side) charging cable on the German market.

Type 2 plug

Standard in Europe since 2013

• up to 43 kW (400 V, 63 A) / in the private sector up to 22 kW (400 V, 32 A)
• 22kw 3 phase car chargeris suitable for single-phase and three-phase AC charging
• can usually be locked on the station side and on the vehicle side
• in addition to the power conductors, there are an additional 2 pins for communication between the car and the charging station
  

Kinouwell KW-PEVC3401

• Fast charging standard from Japan
• up to 50 kW (500 V, 125 A)
• suitable for DC charging
• In contrast to the combo plug, it is not mandatory for fast charging stations in Germany

Combo Plug 2 (CCS)

• Fast charging standard in Europe
• up to 50 kW (400 V, 125 A) / extension to 350 kW 
• for AC and DC charging
• Extension of the type 2 plug with additional DC plug poles
• Advantage: Type 2 plugs can also be plugged in
• 22kw 3 phase car chargeravailable as an extension of the Type 1 plug (mainly for the American market)

If you also drive your electric car outside of Europe, we recommend a mobile charging station with various adapters, e.g..