IEC 61851-23:2014

Overview

IEC 61851-23:2014 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies requirements for DC electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, commonly referred to as DC chargers. This standard applies to conductive charging systems with AC or DC input voltages up to 1000 V AC and 1500 V DC, governing the safe and efficient supply of electric power to EVs. It provides general requirements for control communication between the DC EV charging station and the electric vehicle to ensure interoperability and safety in the charging process.

IEC 61851-23:2014 is designed to complement IEC 61851-1:2010, which covers general requirements for EV conductive charging systems. Due to the evolving technical landscape of EV charging, this standard also advises compliance with ISO 17409:2015 to address the limitations of safety measures such as protection against electric shock under single fault conditions and capacitance energy limits. Users are encouraged to conduct risk assessments to implement proper safety measures for the integrated charging infrastructure and vehicle system.

Key Topics

• Voltage Ratings and Supply Conditions
  IEC 61851-23 defines permissible input voltage ranges for DC chargers, supporting up to 1000 V AC and 1500 V DC input according to IEC 60038. This ensures compatibility with a wide variety of power supplies and vehicle requirements.

• Communication Protocols for Charging Control
  The standard specifies requirements for control communication between the charging station and the EV to regulate safe and reliable DC charging. For digital communication standards, IEC 61851-24 details protocols and methods for controlling DC charging.

• Safety and Protection Measures
  Emphasizing protection against electric shock, IEC 61851-23 prescribes limitations on capacitance energy to reduce risk under single fault conditions. It includes fault detection mechanisms such as earth fault monitoring and leakage current detection.

• Connector and Cable Requirements
  Specific provisions for vehicle couplers, charging cable assemblies, and electrical interface ensure secure, durable, and safe physical connections between EVs and charging stations.

• System Architectures and Charging Systems
  The standard provides normative annexes outlining different DC charging system configurations (Systems A, B, C) including combined charging system schematics, typical systems, and component requirements. These models facilitate harmonization across manufacturers and regions.

• Performance and Testing
  IEC 61851-23 establishes performance criteria such as ripple current limits, voltage dynamics, and response times to guarantee stable and efficient charging processes.

Applications

• Public and Private DC Charging Stations
  Manufacturers and operators designing or deploying DC fast charging stations for electric vehicles can apply this standard to ensure technical compliance, safety, and interoperability with a broad range of EV models.

• Electric Vehicle Manufacturers
  EV designers use IEC 61851-23 to ensure vehicle systems are compatible with standardized DC conductive charging stations, facilitating seamless user experience and regulatory compliance.

• Infrastructure Development for EV Networks
  Utilities and infrastructure planners utilize the standard in developing electric mobility ecosystems that integrate reliable, efficient, and safe DC charging facilities.

• Safety Certification and Testing Bodies
  Certification agencies adopt IEC 61851-23 as a benchmark for testing and validating DC EV chargers against international safety and performance criteria.

• Research and Development
  Innovators in electric mobility and charging technology use IEC 61851-23 as a reference framework to develop new products and enhancements for EV charging solutions.

Related Standards

• IEC 61851-1:2010 – General Requirements for Electric Vehicle Conductive Charging Systems
  Serves as the foundational document describing overarching requirements applicable to all conductive EV charging systems.

• IEC 61851-24 – Digital Communication Between DC EV Charging Station and Electric Vehicle
  Defines communication protocols for digital control of DC charging processes to complement the control communication requirements of IEC 61851-23.

• ISO 17409:2015 – Safety Requirements for EV Conductive Charging System
  Addresses electrical safety aspects during the EV charging process, especially for protection against electric shock, relevant alongside IEC 61851-23.

• IEC 60038 – Standard Voltages
  Provides standardized voltage levels applicable to EV charging input supplies, referenced by IEC 61851-23 for voltage requirements.

• IEC 61851 Series – Electric Vehicle Conductive Charging System
  A suite of standards covering different parts and aspects of conductive charging infrastructure and systems for electric vehicles.

Adhering to IEC 61851-23:2014 ensures that DC electric vehicle charging stations meet international safety, communication, and interoperability protocols, facilitating the evolution of sustainable electric mobility worldwide. Keywords: DC EV charging station, IEC 61851-23, electric vehicle charging standard, conductive charging, EV safety requirements, DC fast charging, electric vehicle infrastructure.