IEC 61851-21-1-2017 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61851-21-1:2017 — Electric vehicle conductive charging system — Part 21-1: Electric vehicle on-board charger EMC requirements for conductive connection to AC/DC supply. This part of IEC 61851, together with IEC 61851-1 (general requirements), specifies electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test requirements and test setups for on-board charging units (complete vehicle or electronic sub-assembly) when connected conductively to AC or DC supplies.

Abstract

IEC 61851-21-1:2017 defines EMC requirements and associated test configurations for electrically propelled road vehicles (including plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles) while they are connected to the mains for charging via an on-board charger. It narrows the scope of the earlier Part 21 by focusing on EMC tests, provides more precise test set-ups and adds guidance on artificial/asymmetric networks and integration of charging stations into the test arrangement. This edition, together with IEC 61851-21-2, cancels and replaces IEC 61851-21:2001.

General information

• Status: Published / current (stability date indicated by publisher: 2026).
• Publication date: 19 June 2017.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 43.120 (Electric road vehicles) — EMC category.
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2017).
• Number of pages: 47 pages (official IEC publication listing).

Scope

This standard applies to on-board charging units of electrically propelled road vehicles when they are connected by a conductive connection to AC or DC supplies. It covers EMC requirements for any charging mode while the vehicle is connected to the mains. The standard is not applicable to trolleybuses, rail vehicles, industrial trucks or vehicles designed primarily for off‑road use (e.g., construction or forestry machines). IEC 61851-21-1 focuses on EMC testing and test setups and is intended to be used together with IEC 61851-1 (general requirements) and complemented by IEC 61851-21-2 for off-board charging equipment.

Key topics and requirements

• EMC test requirements for on-board chargers (conductive connection to AC/DC supplies), including emission and immunity tests.
• Defined test ports, precise test‑setups and measurement configurations for vehicle and sub‑assembly testing.
• Introduction of artificial networks, asymmetric artificial networks and guidance on integrating charging stations into EMC test setups (Annex A).
• Clarification that the document addresses EMC testing rather than other electrical safety tests (technical revision from the 2001 edition).
• Relationship with related parts: intended to be used alongside IEC 61851-1 (general requirements) and IEC 61851-21-2 (EMC for off‑board equipment).

Typical use and users

Primary users are automotive and EV equipment manufacturers (on‑board charger designers), EMC test laboratories, type‑approval and certification bodies, EV system integrators, and regulatory or standards professionals developing conformity assessment programs for EV charging equipment. The standard is used to design and validate electromagnetic performance and to prepare EMC test plans for vehicles and on‑board charger subsystems.

Related standards

Key related publications include IEC 61851-1 (General requirements for conductive charging systems — provides overarching requirements and charging modes) and IEC 61851-21-2 (EMC requirements for off‑board charging equipment). The earlier IEC 61851-21:2001 has been cancelled and replaced by the pair IEC 61851-21-1:2017 and IEC 61851-21-2:2018. Other related documents include regional/adopted versions (EN/BS/UNE national adoptions) and complementary standards on EV communication and safety (for example ISO 15118 and various EVSE safety standards).

Keywords

Electric vehicle, EV, conductive charging, on-board charger, EMC, electromagnetic compatibility, test setup, artificial network, charging modes, IEC 61851, vehicle EMC testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61851-21-1:2017 is the part of the IEC 61851 series that specifies electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test requirements and test configurations for electric vehicle on-board chargers connected conductively to AC or DC supplies.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers EMC emissions and immunity tests, defined test ports and precise test setups for testing either the complete vehicle or the charging system electronic sub‑assembly (ESA) during conductive charging. It concentrates on EMC testing (not other electrical safety tests) and includes guidance on artificial/asymmetric networks and integration of charging stations into test arrangements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: EV and on‑board charger designers, EMC test laboratories, certifying/approval authorities, and system integrators use this standard to demonstrate and verify EMC performance of on‑board charging equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61851-21-1:2017 is the current edition published in June 2017; it and IEC 61851-21-2:2018 together replace IEC 61851-21:2001. Check national adoption listings for regional equivalences (EN/BS/UNE adoptions).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 61851 series on electric vehicle conductive charging systems (e.g., IEC 61851-1 for general requirements, IEC 61851-21-2 for off‑board EMC tests, and other parts covering functional and safety aspects).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Electric vehicle, on‑board charger, EMC, conductive charging, test setup, artificial network, charging modes, IEC 61851.