Charging connectors for EV chargers – Indian perspective • EVreporter

Standardisation is the first step to achieving widespread adoption, says Ishaan Parwanda, Director at Trinity Touch Pvt Ltd, a Delhi-based manufacturer of industrial electrical applications, including electric vehicle (EV) charger connectors.

Other countries went through a period of rolling out a confusing charging network to meet the demands of multiple choices of standards depending on OEM. The same format ‘war’ took place for optical discs and storage, where Blue ray and USB, respectively, were the clear winners.

The Indian Standards (BIS) agency took a bold and future-proof step to standardise EV charger connectors from the start. CCS2 (DC), Type 2 (AC), Type 6 (DC) and Type 7 (LECCS) are the clear winners.

In this interaction, Ishaan shares the Indian perspective on the charger connectors for EV applications.

Which standard applies to EV charger applications?

4-wheelers, Trucks, Busses and other Heavy Vehicles

• Type 2 for AC – Current carrying capacity up to 32A and loads up to 22 kW.

• CCS2 for DC – Current carrying capacity of 200A (continuous) and up to 500A (very short term). The loads vary according to DC charger configurations.

2-wheelers, 3-wheelers and other Light EVs

• Type 6 for LEV DC – Current carrying capacity of 120A; split into two connector variants. Up to 50A for portable chargers and 120A for charging infrastructure. The loads vary as per DC charger configurations.

• Type 7 (LECCS) – This is an AC and DC combo system.

What are the factors to consider while selecting a connector for EV applications?

Ingress Protection – This refers to the level of dust and waterproofing. You should look for IP67 connectors. On their own, the connectors need to have the IPX7 rating to withstand submersion in water for 30 minutes without any intrusion. Remember that the mated water rating might drop if the car inlet is not IP67. Generally, the car inlets are IPX4. If the car is submerged for 30 minutes, you have bigger problems to worry about than your connector.

Temperature – The connector pins will be the key performer during charging. At Trinity Touch, we manufacture and silver plate the connector pins. This is the key competency required to have a bulletproof product. As the power flows through the pins they will heat up and need to keep performing over time. Our IS standard has a higher temp threshold than IEC, as Indian conditions demand it.

User Experience – The connector should be easy to handle and remove from the vehicle. Our conical design helps grip and requires less effort. The textured finish improves grip and remains looking new.

Long-term Confidence – With all the above factors in mind, you should have long-term confidence that your product, along with the Trinity Touch connector, will last for many years seamlessly. In conclusion, the right connector partner will add to your charger’s long-term appeal. Remember, the end user’s safety and positive experience bring more EV customers on the road.