IEC 62196-2-2025 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 62196-2-2025 — Plugs, socket‑outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets — Conductive charging of electric vehicles — Part 2: Dimensional compatibility requirements for AC pin and contact‑tube accessories. This edition specifies dimensional, mechanical and basic electrical requirements for AC pin and contact‑tube accessories (plugs, socket‑outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets) used for conductive charging of electric vehicles, rated up to 480 V AC and intended for currents up to the listed limits.

Abstract

IEC 62196-2:2025 is the fourth edition of Part 2 of the IEC 62196 series and provides the standardized dimensional data, tolerances and key test requirements that ensure physical compatibility and safe mechanical/electrical performance of AC pin and contact‑tube accessories for EV charging. The 2025 edition cancels and replaces the 2022 edition and introduces technical revisions including new tests for latching devices and corrections to the standard sheets.

General information

• Status: International standard; current edition (valid).
• Publication date: 25 November 2025.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 29.120.30; 43.120.
• Edition / version: 4.0 (fourth edition, 2025).
• Number of pages: 84 (available as IEC publication).

Key bibliographic and status information above is taken from the IEC publication record for IEC 62196-2:2025.

Scope

The standard applies to EV plugs, EV socket‑outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets that use pins and contact‑tubes of standardized configurations (commonly known as Type‑2 variants for AC connections within the IEC series), for conductive charging of electric vehicles with nominal rated operating voltage not exceeding 480 V AC (50 Hz to 60 Hz) and rated currents not exceeding 63 A three‑phase or 70 A single‑phase. It defines dimensional compatibility (standard sheets), mechanical and electrical requirements and test procedures necessary to ensure safe mating and operation of the accessories.

Key topics and requirements

• Dimensional compatibility: standard sheets with geometry and tolerance definitions for AC pin/contact‑tube accessories.
• Rated electrical limits: nominal voltage up to 480 V AC and specified current limits (63 A three‑phase / 70 A single‑phase where applicable).
• Mechanical requirements: strength, endurance, latching and retention features (new latching‑device tests added in 2025 edition).
• Electrical safety and performance: insulation, dielectric strength, temperature‑rise limits, contact resistance and earthing provisions.
• Environmental and durability tests: resistance to corrosion, aging, humidity, fire and mechanical wear.
• Construction and marking: requirements for materials, construction details and marking for identification and safe use.
• Alignment and interoperability guidance with other parts of the IEC 62196 and IEC 61851 series.

The major technical changes in the 2025 edition include the addition of latching‑device tests and corrections to the standard sheets; other content aligns Part 2 with related parts of the IEC 62196 series.

Typical use and users

Primary users are manufacturers of EV plugs, inlets, socket‑outlets and charging station hardware; component and cable‑assembly suppliers; test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies; vehicle OEMs and tier‑1 suppliers designing vehicle inlets; infrastructure planners and installation contractors; and regulators and standards bodies referencing dimensional and safety requirements for procurement and type‑approval. The standard is used to ensure mechanical compatibility, safety and interoperability of AC charging interfaces.

Related standards

IEC 62196-2 is one part of the IEC 62196 family. Closely related documents include IEC 62196-1 (General requirements), IEC 62196-3 (DC and combined AC/DC couplers (e.g., CCS2)), related specifications such as IEC 62196-3-1 and other parts/specifications in the series, and equipment standards such as IEC 61851-1 (charging system requirements). Regional/adopted versions (EN IEC or national adoptions) also exist and may reference this part for interoperability requirements.

Keywords

IEC 62196-2, EV charging, Type 2 connector, AC pin, contact‑tube, dimensional compatibility, latching device tests, plugs, socket‑outlets, vehicle connectors, vehicle inlets, interoperability, IEC 61851.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62196-2:2025 is Part 2 of the IEC 62196 series specifying dimensional compatibility, mechanical and basic electrical requirements for AC pin and contact‑tube accessories used in conductive EV charging. It is the fourth edition and is an international standard published by the IEC.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the geometry and tolerances (standard sheets), rated electrical limits (up to 480 V AC; specified current limits), mechanical strength and endurance, tests (including new latching‑device tests added in 2025), environmental durability, construction and marking for AC pin and contact‑tube accessories.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of EV charging hardware and vehicle inlets, test laboratories and certification bodies, vehicle OEMs and suppliers, installation contractors, procurement authorities and regulators who require standardized, interoperable AC charging interfaces.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 62196-2:2025 is the current (2025) edition and cancels and replaces the 2022 edition; users should adopt the 2025 edition for new designs and where national/regulatory requirements reference the latest IEC text. Older editions (for example the 2022 edition) were withdrawn on publication of the 2025 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the IEC 62196 series on conductive charging of electric vehicles; related parts include Part 1 (general requirements), Part 3 (DC/combined couplers), and additional specifications within the 62196 family that together define AC and DC connector interfaces and interoperability.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Type 2, EV connector, AC pin, contact‑tube, dimensional compatibility, latching device, plugs, socket‑outlet, vehicle connector, vehicle inlet, IEC 62196.