Overview of EV Charging Modes for Electric Vehicle Chargers

Overview of EV Charging Modes for Electric Vehicle Chargers

EV Charging Mode 1

Mode 1 charging technology refers to home charging with a simple extension cord from a standard power outlet. This type of charge involves plugging an electric vehicle into a standard socket for household use. This type of charge involves plugging an electric vehicle into a standard socket for household use. This charging method doesn’t provide shock protection against DC currents for users.

Deltrix Chargers do not provide this technology and are recommending not to use it for their customers.

EV Charging Mode 2

A special cable with integrated shock protection against AC and DC currents is used for Mode 2 charging. The charging cable is provided with EV in Mode 2 charging. Unlike Mode 1 charging, Mode 2 charging cables have built-in cabling protection that protects against electrical shock. Mode 2 charging is currently the most common charging mode for EVs.

EV Charging Mode 3

Mode 3 charging involves the use of a dedicated charging station or a home-mounted EV charging wall box. Both provide protection from AC or DC currents by shock. In Mode 3, the wall box or charging station provides the connecting cable, and the EV does not need a dedicated charging cable. Currently Mode 3 charging is the preferred EV charging method.

EV Charging Mode 4

Mode 4 is often called ‘DC fast-charge,’ or simply ‘fast-charge.’ However, given the varying charging rates for mode 4 – (currently starting with portable 5kW units up to 50kW and 150kW, plus the upcoming 350 and 400kW standards to be rolled out)

What is Mode 3 EV charging?
The mode 3 charging cable is a connector cable between the charging station and the electric car. In Europe, the type 2 plug has been set as the standard. To allow electric cars to be charged using type 1 and type 2 plugs, charging stations are usually equipped with a type 2 socket.

This lead is somewhat glorified with the name ‘EVSE’ (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) – but it is really nothing more than a power lead with an automatic on/off function controlled by the car.

The on/off function is controlled within the box near the 3 pin plug end, and ensures that the lead is only live when the car is charging. The charger that converts the AC power to DC for battery charging and controls the charging process is built in the car.As soon as the EV is fully charged, the car charger signals this to the control box which then disconnects power between the box and the car.The EVSE control box is by regulation not allowed to be more than 300mm from the power point in order to minimise the permanently live section. This is the reason that mode 2 EVSEs come with a label to not use extension leads with them.

As mode two EVSEs are plugged into a power point, they limit the current to a level that most power points can deliver. They do this by telling the car to not charge at a greater rate than the pre-set limit in the control box. (Generally this is around 2.4kW (10A)).

What are the different types – and speeds – of EV charging?
Mode three:

In mode 3, the on/off control electronics move into a box mounted on the wall – thereby eliminating any live cabling unless the car is charging.

Mode 3 EVSEs are often loosely called a ‘car charger’, however the charger is the same one in the car as used in mode two – the wall box is nothing more than the home of the on/off electronics. In effect, mode 3 EVSEs are nothing more than a glorified automatic power point!

Mode 3 EVSEs come in various charging rate sizes. The choice of which one for use at home is determined by a number of factors:

What your maximum charging rate of your EV is (older Leafs are 3.6kW max, whilst new Teslas can use anything up to 20kW!)
What the household supply is capable of delivering – based on what is already connected to the switchboard. (Most houses are limited to 15kW in total. Subtract the household usage and you get what is left to charge the EV with. In generally, an average (single phase) house has the options of installing a 3.6kW or 7kW EVSE).
Whether you are lucky enough to have a three phase electrical connection. Three phase connections offer the options of installing 11, 20 or even 40kW EVSEs. (Again, the choice is limited by what the switchboard can handle and what is already connected).

Mode 4:

Mode 4 is often referred to as DC fast-charge , or just fast-charge. However, given the widely varying charging rates for mode 4 – (currently starting with portable 5kW units through to 50kW and 150kW, plus the soon to be rolled out 350 and 400kW standards) – there is some confusion as to what fast-charge really means.