IEC 61851-23:2023

Overview

IEC 61851-23:2023 - "Electric vehicle conductive charging system - Part 23: DC electric vehicle supply equipment" is the 2nd edition (2023) international standard that defines safety, performance and test requirements for DC electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). It applies to EV supply equipment with rated maximum voltages at side A up to 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC and side B up to 1 500 V DC, and covers system A, system B and system C (see Annex AA/BB/CC). The document updates the 2014 edition and introduces revised electrical safety rules, new test methods, and expanded requirements for bidirectional power transfer (BPT) for system A.

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

• Scope and systems: Specifies EV supply equipment types (system A, B, C) for DC charging and clarifies BPT/RPT coverage (BPT requirements provided for system A; RPT and BPT for systems B/C are under consideration).
• Electrical safety & insulation: Revised protection requirements inspired by IEC 62477-1 and the hazard-based approach of IEC 62368-1, including limits on touch current and touch impulse current (new Annex HH).
• Protection against electric shock: Detailed provisions for basic, fault and enhanced protection, equipotential bonding, residual current protection and separation requirements for multi-side or separated EVSE.
• Construction & tests: New and expanded test methods and compliance procedures (general provisions in Clause 102), including dielectric withstand, impulse overvoltage suppression, temperature rise, damp heat, mechanical strength and abnormal operation tests.
• Cable & connector requirements: Cable assembly strain relief, cable breakaway, surface temperature limits, and short‑circuit/overload protection for charging cables.
• Energy transfer functions: Requirements for bidirectional power transfer control, reverse power transfer considerations, thermal management systems for energy transfer, multi‑side B separated EVSE and communication-driven energy transfer processes (Annexes DD, FF, GG).
• Documentation & marking: Installation and user manual requirements for EV charging stations and EV supply equipment.

Practical Applications and Who Uses This Standard

IEC 61851-23 is essential for:

• Manufacturers of DC fast chargers and EV supply equipment (EVSE) developing compliant products.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing type tests and conformity assessments.
• Charging network operators and utilities ensuring safe grid integration and protection coordination.
• EV OEMs and system integrators for interoperability and vehicle-to-grid (V2G)/bidirectional energy exchange considerations.
• Regulators and certification authorities adopting standards into national regulations for EV charging infrastructure.

Keywords: IEC 61851-23, DC electric vehicle supply equipment, EVSE, DC fast charging, bidirectional power transfer, EV charging safety, EV charging standards.

Related Standards

• IEC 61851-1:2017 (structure alignment)
• IEC 62477-1 (electrical safety requirements)
• IEC 62368-1 (hazard-based safety inspiration)

This standard is a core reference for safe, tested and interoperable DC EV charging systems and bidirectional charging implementations.