The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Type 2 EV Charging Cable

Type 2 Charging Cables for EVs: Your Complete Guide

Welcome to this guide on EV Type 2 charging cables, where by the end of this article our aim is to provide you with all you need to know about that there cable that you pick up and plug in, day in, day out. We’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about Type 2 EV cables, including the difference between the female and male plugs, the standard IEC , the pin layout of the connectors, and the history of the Type 2 plug.

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Let's start with the basics. Type 2 EV charging cables are the most common charging cables used for electric vehicles (EV’s) in Europe. They are also known as Mennekes connectors, named after the German company that developed them. Type 2 cables are used to connect an EV to a charging station or a wall box, allowing the vehicle's battery to be charged.

Male and Female Plugs (Connectors)

Now, let's talk about the difference between the male and female plugs. The male plug is located on the charging station or wall box and the female plug is located on the charging cable, and is the larger of the two connectors. Both plugs have seven pins, these are CP, PP, N, PE, L1, L2, and L3. Single phase (7.2KW) makes use of five of these pins (excluding L2 & L3), while three phase cables (22KW) utilise all seven pins.

Pin Layout and Application

Let's take a closer look at the pin layout of the connectors. CP stands for Control Pilot and is used for communication between the EV and the charging station or wall box. PP stands for Proximity Pilot and is used to detect the presence of the charging cable. N stands for Neutral, PE stands for Protective Earth, and L1, L2, and L3 stand for the three phases of AC power. The pins used by different applications are as follows:

• CP, PP, N, PE & L1: Used for AC charging up to 7KW (single phase).
• CP, PP, N, PE, L1, L2, and L3: Used for AC charging up to 22 kW (three phase).

IEC Standard

Now, let's talk about the IEC standard. This is an international standard that defines the Type 2 charging cable and connector system for AC charging of electric vehicles. The standard specifies the dimensions, performance requirements, and testing methods for the Type 2 connector, ensuring that all Type 2 connectors are compatible with each other.

History of Type 2 Plug

The Type 2 plug has evolved over the years to become the standard charging cable for EVs in Europe. The first version of the Type 2 plug had only five pins and was developed by Mennekes in . In , the IEC standard was introduced, which defined the Type 2 connector system with seven pins. This allowed for faster charging speeds and improved safety features.

Today, Type 2 charging cables are used by many EV manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. They are commonly found at public charging stations, as well as in homes and businesses with wall box chargers.

In conclusion, EV Type 2 charging cables are an essential part of EV charging infrastructure. They allow EVs to be charged quickly and safely, and are the standard charging cable for EVs in Europe. Understanding the difference between the male and female plugs, the pin layout of the connectors, and the IEC standard is important for anyone who owns or plans to own an EV. So, make sure you have the right Type 2 charging cable for your EV, and keep on driving electric!

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When will you need a separate charging cable?

You'll need to use a charging cable if you want to charge from a chargepoint (or socket) that doesn't have a cable attached. Typically, this will be the case when using AC chargepoints on public networks or home chargers that have universal sockets.

While you will generally get a lot of use out of a charging cable, in some situations it won’t be required because the chargepoint will already have a cable attached.

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For example, you can choose to get a tethered chargepoint installed at home while rapid chargers, and a handful of public AC chargers, also have tethered cables attached.

Socket type Where to find When to use 3-pin plug
Traditional domestic socket. Can do the job in an emergency - albeit slowly. But not best practice to use long term as they are not designed to handle charging loads for extended periods. Type 2
Standard AC charging socket, found in public charging points and non-tethered home chargers. These sockets are perfect for the job of charging cars, use them as often as you can.

Find out more about the different socket and EV connector types.

What is the best length EV charging cable?

This will depend on your typical use as an EV driver. If you’ll need a cable to reach your chargepoint from a wider distance, a longer cable will be best for you. But if you don’t want your cable to take up too much space and are usually able to park next to your charger, a short cable will work fine.

For a compact solution that maximises usability, we like to recommend a cable length of 5m.

Which cable is best for fast charging?

A cable with a current rating of 32A is best for fast charging. This type of cable will charge your electric car faster than a 16A cable, but it’s thicker and heavier to facilitate the higher current.

If you’re looking to use a rapid charger, you won’t need a separate cable as this type of chargepoint is fitted with a tethered cable.

Are all EV charging cables the same?

EV charging cables are not all the same and come in different variations. With a connector on each end, the side inserted into the chargepoint socket should always be a Type 2 connector. On the other end, going into the vehicle socket is either a Type 1 or Type 2 connector.

Electric car charging cables can also have different current ratings. Your cable should match the car’s maximum AC charge rate or be higher. Plus, cables can vary in length, with longer cables offering more reach and shorter cables being easier to store.

Tethered vs untethered ev charger

There isn't necessarily a correct option to go for, generally a tethered charger is more practical, with a longer cable being offered and ensuring that it is always available. Universal chargers on the other hand are the more flexible of the two options, allowing you to take the cable with you, if you're willing to sacrifice a bit of cable length. 

Some key things to consider before making your choice are;

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• Convenience
• Cable length
• Cost
• How often you plug in and need to charge