IEC 61851-23-2023 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61851-23:2023 — Electric vehicle conductive charging system — Part 23: DC electric vehicle supply equipment. This international standard specifies requirements for DC electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) used to transfer energy between the supply network and electric vehicles (EVs), covering EVSE systems A, B and C and addressing rated maximum voltages on the supply and vehicle sides (up to 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC on side A and up to 1 500 V DC on side B).

Abstract

This second edition (2023) updates and replaces the first edition (2014). It is a technical revision that reorganizes the structure to align with IEC 61851-1:2017, revises electrical safety requirements based on IEC 62477-1 and a hazard-based approach, adds and clarifies test methods (with general provisions in Clause 102), and introduces or updates informative and normative annexes addressing functions such as thermal management during energy transfer, bidirectional power transfer (BPT) control for system A, multi‑side B arrangements and communication/energy-transfer processes. The document remains limited to applicability for system A, system B and system C while noting that some reverse power transfer (RPT) and additional BPT requirements for systems B and C are under consideration.

General information

• Status: Published (current international standard)
• Publication date: 13 December 2023
• Publisher: IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)
• ICS / categories: 43.120 (Electric road vehicles)
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2023)
• Number of pages: 383

Key bibliographic and product metadata as published by the IEC webstore (publication date, edition, ICS and page count).

Scope

IEC 61851-23:2023 applies to DC EV supply equipment that provides energy transfer between an electricity supply network and electric road vehicles, covering system A, system B and system C configurations (see the standard's Annexes AA, BB and CC for definitions and specifics). The standard addresses rated maximum voltages at side A (up to 1 000 V AC or up to 1 500 V DC) and at side B (up to 1 500 V DC) and includes requirements for bidirectional power transfer (BPT) EVSE for system A; requirements for RPT/BPT for systems B and C are noted as under consideration and are not fully specified in this edition.

Key topics and requirements

• Safety and electrical requirements revised to align with IEC 62477-1 and hazard-based safety principles (influences from IEC 62368‑1).
• Structure reorganized to follow IEC 61851-1:2017 for consistency across the series.
• Test methods and conformity checks substantially expanded, with general provisions for compliance tests defined (Clause 102).
• Requirements and guidance for bidirectional power transfer (BPT) for system A (including control functions for BPT).
• New and updated annexes: energy transfer with thermal management, artificial test load requirements, multi‑side B separated EVSE, communication and energy-transfer processes, and a new informative annex on touch current and touch impulse current (Annex HH).
• Limitations noted: RPT and some BPT requirements for systems B and C remain under consideration and are not fully specified in this edition.

Summary of the most significant technical changes and topic areas introduced or revised in the 2023 edition.

Typical use and users

Primary users include EVSE manufacturers and designers (DC fast-charging equipment), vehicle manufacturers (to ensure compatibility with DC EVSE), test and certification laboratories, utilities and distribution system planners (for integration and safety considerations), regulatory bodies and standards committees, and installation/maintenance professionals responsible for DC charging infrastructure. The standard is used to develop equipment specifications, design verification and compliance testing, and procurement requirements for DC charging systems.

Related standards

IEC 61851-23 is part of the IEC 61851 series covering conductive EV charging. Closely related and cited documents include IEC 61851-1 (general requirements for EV conductive charging systems), IEC 62477-1 (safety of power electronic converter systems) and other IEC/ISO standards relevant to vehicle‑to‑grid, EMC, connectors and communications protocols for EV charging. The 2023 edition explicitly references IEC 62477-1 as an influence on revised electrical safety requirements.

Keywords

EV charging, DC EVSE, DC charging, LVDC, bidirectional power transfer (BPT), reverse power transfer (RPT), charging station, thermal management, EV supply equipment, IEC 61851 series.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61851-23:2023 is the part of the IEC 61851 series that specifies requirements for DC electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) used for conductive charging of electric road vehicles.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers design, safety and test requirements for DC EVSE systems A, B and C (annex-defined systems), including rated voltage limits, safety measures, test methods, and functions such as thermal management and bidirectional power transfer control (BPT) for system A. Some RPT/BPT items for systems B and C are noted as under consideration and are not fully specified in this edition.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: EVSE manufacturers, vehicle OEMs, test houses and certification bodies, utilities and grid planners, procurement and regulatory agencies, and installers/maintenance teams working on DC charging infrastructure.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This is the current edition published 13 December 2023 (Edition 2.0). The 2023 edition cancels and replaces the 2014 edition and is published as the active international standard (stability date indicated by IEC through 2026).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 23 of the IEC 61851 series (Electric vehicle conductive charging system). The series includes IEC 61851-1 (general requirements) and other parts addressing topics such as communication, EMC, and accessory functions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: EV charging, DC EVSE, bidirectional charging, LVDC, BPT, RPT, thermal management, compliance testing, IEC 61851-23:2023.