Powering Up Globally: The Role of IEC in EV Charging Stations
Transport currently accounts for emissions in the world.
Electrification of transport will play a vital role in lowering carbon emissions. The increasing use of EVs is an important step in the move towards an all-electric society.
What is IEC
IEC stands for international electrotechnical organisation that develops and publishes international standards for electrical ,electronic and related technologies.The IEC is a global, not-for-profit membership organisation that brings together more than 170 countries and coordinates the work of 20 000 experts globally.
Importance of IEC in EV charging stations
IEC plays a major role in the development of EV charging stations.They develop standards for safety,interoperability and performance of EV charging equipment.
EVs require a charging infrastructure that directly impacts electricity networks. IEC International Standards ensure the process is safe and efficient.
IEC standards for EV charging stations
IEC61851 -1:2017 Electric vehicle conductive charging system
IEC62196 - 1:2022 Plugs,socket outlets,vehicle connectors,vehicle inlets,conductive charging of electric vehicles
IEC61851-23:2014 Requirements of DC charging stations,conductive charging stations.
IEC61851 -24:2015 Requirements for communication between direct current (DC) charging stations and electric vehicles.
ISO/IEC 15118:2018- EV charging infrastructure,communication between an electric vehicle and charging stations.
IEC62196
The standards developed in the IEC 62196 series, specify the requirements for plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, vehicle inlets to interface between the EV and the EV charging system. A new edition of the first part of IEC 62196 has now been published. IEC 62196-1, Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles – Part 1: General requirements, describes the interface between the electric vehicle and the charging station and defines the requirements and test methods for the accessories used.
IEC61850
This standard is used to communicate between EV charging stations and EVs, as well as between EV charging stations and other systems such as the grid operator or central charging management system.
Here are some advantages of using IEC61850
Improved interoperability -It ensures different charging stations and EVs from different manufacturers can communicate with each other.THis will reduce cost and complexity of EV charging infrastructure projects.
Security -It includes a number of security features to protect from cyber attack.
Reliability-IEC61850 uses a number of features such as redundancy and fault tolerance.
Flexibility-This will help to future-proof EV charging systems and make them adapt to new technologies.
IEC 61980-1
This standard specifies general requirements for wireless power transfer systems for electric road vehicles.This standard applies to WPT systems that use magnetic fields to transfer power to electric road vehicles.The standard does not apply to WPT systems that uses inductive or resonant charging.
The standard covers following aspects:
Electrical safety of WPT systems.
Performance requirements for WPT systems.
Communication requirements for WPT systems.
Overall this standard is a valuable standard that can help to improve safety,efficiency,reliability and interoperability of WPT systems for electric road vehicles.
IEC 62196-1
IEC 62196-1:2022 is applicable to EV plugs, EV socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, vehicle inlets, herein referred to as "accessories", and to cable assemblies for electric vehicles (EV) intended for use in conductive charging systems which incorporate control means, with a rated operating voltage not exceeding:
690 V AC 50 Hz to 60 Hz, at a rated current not exceeding 250 A;
1 500 V DC at a rated current not exceeding 800 A.
The standard covers following aspects:
Mechanical and electrical requirements
Performance requirements
Test methods
Marking and labelling
Benefits of using this standard
Improved safety-This standard includes a number of requirements to ensure safety of charging systems such as use of insulation materials and protection of electrical circuits.
Improved reliability-This can help to reduce the risk of outages and disruptions.
Interoperability -It ensures that charging systems from different manufacturers can be used together.
Summing UP
IEC standards are an important part of the global effort to promote the development and deployment of electric vehicles.
Overall all these standards are valuable, they help to improve the safety,efficiency,reliability and interoperability of charging systems for electric vehicles.IEC also provides other standards that are relevant to EVs such as standard for safety of electric vehicle batteries,performance of motors and environmental impact of electric vehicles.
