BS EN IEC 61851-1-2019 (2023) PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN IEC 61851-1-2019 (2023) — Electric vehicle conductive charging system — Part 1: General requirements. This document is the British adoption of the EN IEC 61851-1:2019 edition (which itself is the European adoption of IEC 61851-1), specifying general safety, functional and interface requirements for conductive EV supply equipment (EVSE) used to charge electric road vehicles up to 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC.

Abstract

This standard defines classification, connection specifications, electrical safety requirements, control and mode descriptions, marking and documentation and test sequences for conductive charging equipment (including fixed EVSE, cable assemblies, adaptors and in-cable devices). It provides the baseline requirements for designers, manufacturers, test laboratories, installers and regulators to ensure safe and interoperable conductive charging of electric and plug-in hybrid road vehicles.

General information

• Status: Current British adoption of EN IEC 61851-1:2019 (2019 edition); note that Corrigendum 1 / editorial updates were published subsequently (see notes).
• Publication date: 31 July 2019 (BS adoption of EN IEC 61851-1:2019).
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) — national adoption of EN IEC/IEC material.
• ICS / categories: 43.120 — Electric road vehicles / conductive charging systems.
• Edition / version: 2019 edition (BS EN IEC 61851-1:2019) — European adoption of IEC 61851-1 (third edition) / IEC 61851-1:2017 family; Corrigendum 1 (EN/IEC COR1:2023) exists for clarifications.
• Number of pages: Approximately 152 pages (typical BSI pagination for the 2019 adoption).

Scope

The standard applies to on-board and off-board EV supply equipment intended for charging electric road vehicles (including plug-in hybrid vehicles) with rated supply or output voltages up to 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC. It covers system descriptions, modes of charging, types of connections (including cable and plug arrangements), electrical safety (protection against electric shock, insulation, dielectric tests, touch current and protective conductor continuity), control and signalling, overload/short-circuit protection and marking/documentation requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of EVSE by charging mode and type of connection (modes 1–4, AC/DC distinctions).
• Specification of the conductive interface between EVSE and vehicle, including cable assemblies, plugs, inlets and adaptors.
• Electrical safety: requirements for protection against electric shock, insulation, dielectric testing, leakage/touch currents and protective conductor continuity.
• Control and signalling requirements for charging modes, including pilot/control functions and sequencing for safe connection/disconnection.
• Requirements for overload and short-circuit protection, automatic reclosing and coordination with upstream protective devices.
• Construction, marking, temperature ratings, documentation and content required in installation and user manuals.
• Test procedures and test sequences (including updated Annexes covering complete test sequences).

Typical use and users

Primary users include EVSE and charging-station manufacturers, product design and R&D teams, test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies, installers and integrators, facility owners/operators and public procurement/regulatory authorities who reference the standard for safe, interoperable conductive charging equipment. The standard is used for product design, type testing, installation guidance and demonstrating presumption of conformity with relevant directives where applicable.

Related standards

Closely related documents and series include the IEC/EN 62196 series (plugs, connectors and vehicle inlets), IEC 61851-21-1 / 21-2 (EMC for on-board and off-board systems), IEC 61851-23 / -24 (DC charging equipment and DC communication), IEC 62752 (in-cable control & protection devices), and ISO 15118 (vehicle-grid digital communication). These documents define complementary interface, EMC, DC charging and communication requirements.

Keywords

Electric vehicle charging, EVSE, conductive charging, charging modes, EV supply equipment, plugs and connectors, electrical safety, pilot/control signalling, cable assemblies, IEC 61851, EN IEC 61851-1, BS EN IEC 61851-1.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the British-adopted edition of EN IEC 61851-1:2019 (BS EN IEC 61851-1:2019) specifying general requirements for conductive electric vehicle charging systems — covering safety, interfaces and test requirements for EV supply equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: General system and interface requirements for conductive EV charging up to 1 000 V AC / 1 500 V DC, including charging modes, connection types, electrical safety, control/pilot functions, protection against faults, marking and required documentation and tests.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of charging equipment, design engineers, test and certification bodies, installers and facility owners, and regulators/procurers referencing electrical safety and interoperability requirements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2019 edition (BS EN IEC 61851-1:2019) is the current British adoption of the EN/IEC third edition; editorial corrigenda (Corrigendum 1 / updates) have been published subsequently for clarification. Users should check for any corrigenda or national annexes before applying the standard in a regulated procurement or certification context.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the IEC 61851 series (conductive charging). Other parts address EMC, DC charging stations and digital communication (for example IEC 61851-21-1, 21-2, 23 and 24) and related connector standards (IEC/EN 62196 series).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Electric vehicle conductive charging, EVSE, charging modes, plugs and connectors, electrical safety, pilot signalling, in-cable protection, IEC 61851, EN IEC 61851-1.