IEC 61851-1-2017 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61851-1:2017 — Electric vehicle conductive charging system — Part 1: General requirements. Defines general safety, functional and interface requirements for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) used to charge electric road vehicles (including plug‑in hybrid vehicles) with rated supply or output voltages up to 1 000 V AC or up to 1 500 V DC; covers characteristics and operating conditions of EVSE, the conductive connection between EVSE and vehicle, and electrical safety requirements for EVSE.

Abstract

This third edition (2017) is a technical revision that replaces the 2010 edition and reorganises requirements for EV conductive charging (mode definitions, interface requirements, tests and annexes). It standardises classifications, charging modes, pilot/proximity signalling, electrical safety tests and performance criteria for on‑board and off‑board charging equipment; a Corrigendum (COR1:2023) was published subsequently.

General information

• Status: Published / current international standard (Edition 3.0, 2017; Corrigendum 1 issued 2023).
• Publication date: February 2017 (edition 3.0 — commonly referenced publication dates shown as 06–07 February 2017 by distributors).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), TC 69 (Electrical power/energy transfer systems for electrically propelled road vehicles).
• ICS / categories: 43.120 (Electric road vehicles).
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (2017); Corrigendum 1 (2023) available.
• Number of pages: Commonly published as approximately 287–293 pages (page count varies by distributor/format; many catalogues list 287 pages).

Scope

Applies to EV supply equipment for charging electric road vehicles (including PHEVs) with a rated supply voltage up to 1 000 V AC or up to 1 500 V DC and rated output voltages up to the same limits. The standard addresses EVSE classification, connection interface requirements between EV and EVSE (conductive), charging modes, electrical safety (protection against electric shock, insulation, dielectric tests, touch current, protective conductor continuity), environmental and mechanical conditions, and relevant test sequences and annex requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of EV supply equipment by mode, type, mounting, IP/IK protection and application limits.
• Definitions and requirements for charging modes (Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3 for AC and Mode 4 for DC fast charging) and associated control functions.
• Specification of the conductive connection: pilot and proximity functions, connector/inlet/plug/socket‑outlet requirements and coding.
• Electrical safety and EMC boundaries: protection against electric shock, insulation and dielectric testing, touch current limits and protective conductor continuity; EMC requirements are handled across related parts of the series.
• Type‑testing and sequence requirements (including normative and informative annexes that define test cycles, proximity/pilot details and dimensional guidance).

Typical use and users

Used by EVSE manufacturers, vehicle OEMs (for EV interface compliance), test and certification laboratories, type‑approval bodies, installation contractors and regulatory authorities to design, test, certify and install conductive charging equipment and ensure interoperability and safety between vehicles and charging infrastructure.

Related standards

Part of the IEC 61851 series; related documents include IEC 61851‑21‑1 and IEC 61851‑21‑2 (EMC requirements), IEC 61851‑23 (DC charging station requirements), IEC 61851‑24 (digital communication for DC charging), and associated vehicle/connector standards and communication standards such as ISO 15118 and ISO 17409 for vehicle connection and V2G/communication considerations.

Keywords

EVSE, electric vehicle supply equipment, conductive charging, charging modes, pilot function, proximity function, AC charging, DC fast charging, electrical safety, IEC 61851, charging station, connector requirements.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61851‑1:2017 is the international standard that sets general requirements for conductive charging systems for electric road vehicles (EV supply equipment and the EV‑to‑EVSE conductive interface).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers classification of EVSE, conductive connection specifications (pilot and proximity functions), charging modes (AC and DC), electrical safety tests and performance criteria, and informative/normative annexes with test sequences and dimensional guidance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of chargers and cables, vehicle manufacturers, test laboratories, certification/approval bodies, installers and infrastructure planners use it to ensure safe, interoperable conductive charging.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The active edition is Edition 3.0 (2017); a Corrigendum 1 was published in 2023. National adoptions (EN IEC 61851‑1 and other equivalents) exist; check the issuing body for the latest corrigenda or amendments before relying on the text for certification.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61851 is a multipart series covering conductive charging systems; Part 1 contains general requirements and other parts address EMC, DC station requirements and digital communication for DC charging.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: EVSE, conductive charging, charging modes, pilot/proximity, AC up to 1 000 V, DC up to 1 500 V, electrical safety, interoperability, IEC 61851.