Popular Science | What is a charging cable? part one
With the popularity of new energy vehicles, charging facilities have become an indispensable part of people's daily lives.
With the popularity of new energy vehicles, charging facilities have become an indispensable part of people's daily lives. As an important part of connecting the power supply and the vehicle charging interface, the classification and distinction of charging cables are crucial for us to correctly select and use charging equipment.
Definition of charging cable
Electric vehicle charging cables (charging station cables) are used to connect electric vehicle charging devices with charging infrastructure, so as to transmit power to electric vehicles, and are equipped with a certain number of signal lines, control lines, power auxiliary lines, etc. to ensure that the entire charging process is accurately controlled and the operation is safe and correct. Charging cables are generally used in charging stations, parking lots, hotels, communities, garages and other areas, and portable charging cables can be placed in the car.
Classification and distinction of charging cables
1. Classification
AC charging cable (AC charging cable): AC charging cable converts AC power into current and voltage suitable for charging new energy vehicles. According to the type of plug, it can be divided into national standard GB/T plug, European standard Type 2 plug, etc. AC charging cables are suitable for AC charging facilities such as home charging stations and public charging stations.
DC charging cable (DC charging cable): DC charging cable directly converts power into DC current suitable for charging new energy vehicles. DC charging cables generally use special electrical connectors, such as CHAdeMO, CCS, Tesla Supercharger, etc. DC charging cables are mainly used for fast charging stations, high-power charging facilities, etc.
2. Differences
Different charging methods: AC charging cables are used for charging under AC power, and DC charging cables are used for charging under DC power.
Different charging speeds: Since DC charging cables can provide higher charging power, DC charging cables can achieve faster charging speeds than AC charging cables.
Different plug types: The plugs of AC charging cables generally use national or regional standard interface types, while the plugs of DC charging cables use special connectors according to different charging standards.
Understanding the classification and differences of new energy vehicle charging cables is crucial for us to choose the right charging equipment. According to our own needs and the compatibility of charging facilities, choosing the right cable type can improve charging efficiency and bring more convenience and comfort to the use of new energy vehicles.
Charging cable models
Currently, there are two types of cable models for charging stations: BV and RV.
BV-type wires include: BVV wires, BVVB wires and BVB wires. The core of this type of wire is composed of a single strand of thick copper core. This type of wire is relatively hard, and we generally refer to it as "hard wire".
RV-type wires include: RVV wires and RVVP wires. The core of this type of wire is composed of multiple strands of fine copper wires. This type of wire is relatively soft, and we generally refer to it as "soft wire". The most commonly used wire for installing charging stations is BV-type wire.
Structure of charging station cable
The charging station cable is mainly composed of conductors, insulation layers, shielding layers, sheaths and other parts, which together constitute the basic structure of the cable. The design and production of charging station cables must comply with relevant safety standards and specifications to ensure that they can safely and reliably transmit electrical energy during use. There are strict requirements for its conductor material, insulation performance, temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and other aspects.
The importance of charging cables
The charging cable is the key channel for transmitting grid power from charging stations to electric vehicle batteries. Its conductivity, insulation performance and structural strength directly affect charging efficiency, safety and reliability.
High-quality charging cables can effectively isolate conductors of different voltage levels to prevent safety accidents such as electric shock, short circuit, overheating, etc. Its insulation materials and sheaths should have good heat resistance, flame retardancy, and anti-aging properties to ensure good insulation performance under normal and abnormal conditions.
Standardized charging cables ensure compatibility with the physical dimensions, electrical parameters, and communication protocols of charging stations and electric vehicle interfaces to ensure the smooth charging process and avoid charging interruptions or equipment damage caused by mismatches.
High-quality charging cable design should take into account the characteristics of UV resistance, waterproofness, wear resistance, and oil resistance in outdoor use environments to ensure good performance during long-term use, reduce maintenance or replacement costs, and improve the economy of the overall charging system.
Appropriate cable length, flexibility, weight, and easy-to-plug connector design can improve the convenience of users using charging stations, especially when space is limited or the charging cable needs to be moved frequently.