Type 2 AC connector

Selecting EV Charging connectors is one of the first choices that decides whether your site is easy to use, compatible with local vehicles, and worth the investment. Vehicle mixes are changing, standards vary by region, and drivers expect speed and reliability. This guide focuses on what to deploy now, how to size power to real stops, and how to keep upgrade paths open—so you don’t paint yourself into a corner later.   Introduction: what you’re optimizing for, Start with four practical questions:   Who will charge here over the next 24–36 months?   Which standards apply in your market?   How long do drivers usually stay, and how fast do they expect to charge?   What level of uptime can you maintain day to day?     Once you have these answers, the right connector set becomes clear.     What changes by region   North America NACS is rapidly becoming the default on new models. A large share of the on-road fleet still uses CCS1 for DC and J1772 for legacy AC. Plan NACS first, keep CCS1 available during the transition, and offer clear on-site guidance if adapters are allowed.   Europe and UK Type 2 is the everyday AC interface. CCS2 is the mainstream DC fast standard across public networks. If you’re building public or workplace charging, this pairing covers nearly all use cases.   Japan Type 1 (J1772) is common for AC. CHAdeMO persists in some areas. Newer deployments are adding CCS—check your local vehicle mix before ordering hardware.   China GB/T governs both AC and DC. Treat it as its own design track with dedicated hardware and approvals.     Match power to dwell time   Think in stops, not specs. Size power to how long drivers actually remain on site:   10–20 minutes (highway/quick turn): 250–350 kW DC with liquid-cooled cables   30–45 minutes (errands/coffee): 150–200 kW DC   2–4 hours (shopping/office): 11–22 kW AC   Overnight (hotel/depot): 7–11 kW AC, plus a single DC head for early departures     Helpful notes Ambient temperature and heavy duty cycles affect sustained current. Over 300 A DC, choose liquid-cooled leads. For AC, right-size breakers and add cable management (retractors or booms) to cut wear and trip hazards.     Real-world scenarios   Highway pit stop — about 18 minutes Goal: add roughly 30–40 kWh so the driver can continue the trip. Sizing: 36 kWh in 0.3 h is about 120 kW on average. Because charging tapers and batteries aren’t always warm, spec 250–300 kW DC to keep early-session rates high. Use liquid-cooled leads. Connector pick: in North America, NACS first with CCS1 available during the transition; in Europe/UK, CCS2. Layout tip: at least two 300–350 kW heads plus two 150–200 kW heads to handle peaks.     Weekend mall — about 120 minutes Goal: add 20–30 kWh while shopping. Sizing: many cars accept around 11 kW AC; in 2 hours that’s ~22 kWh. Some support 22 kW AC (up to ~44 kWh in 2 hours), but onboard chargers vary—plan for a mixed fleet. Connector pick: Europe/UK: Type 2 AC bays as the backbone plus a couple of CCS2 150 kW spots for quick top-ups. North America: AC (J1772 or NACS-AC) bays plus 150 kW DC for errand stops. Layout tip: the majority should be 11–22 kW AC; add one or two 150 kW DC near main entrances.     Business hotel — overnight (9–12 hours) Goal: recover 40–70 kWh before morning checkout. Sizing: 7 kW AC × 10 h ≈ 70 kWh; 11 kW AC × 10 h ≈ 110 kWh where vehicles support it. Connector pick: Europe/UK: Type 2 AC bays. North America: AC (J1772 or NACS-AC) bays; keep one 150 kW DC head for late arrivals or early departures. Layout tip: 8–20 AC bays depending on room count and occupancy, plus one DC head as a service differentiator.       Connector profiles at a glance   Type 2 (IEC 62196-2) Best for: AC charging in Europe/UK, public and private. Why it works: wide compatibility; pairs naturally with CCS2 for DC.   CCS2 Best for: DC fast in Europe/UK. Why it works: high interoperability and network support.   J1772 (Type 1) Best for: legacy AC in North America. Why keep it: still common on existing sites and older vehicles.   CCS1 Best for: North American DC fast during the transition to NACS. Why keep it: serves CCS1-native cars while newer models shift to NACS.   NACS (SAE J3400 form factor) Best for: North America, AC and DC with one compact coupler. Why it matters: rapid automaker adoption plus strong network coverage.   CHAdeMO Best for: specific legacy needs. How to decide: check local fleets before committing inventory.         Design for change: a 2025 upgrade path   Choose dispensers with field-swappable heads and modular harnesses. You can add NACS or switch connector mixes without replacing the whole unit.   Where power and space allow, pair a high-power NACS lead with a CCS lead on the same pedestal. If adapters are approved, post simple on-site instructions.   Use controllers that already support ISO 15118 features, so Plug & Charge can roll out as your network is ready.     Construction and compliance essentials   Power and grid Check available kVA, upstream protection, transformer loading, and room for future panels.   Cabling Plan conduit size, pull length, bend counts, separation from data runs, and thermal expansion gaps.   Durability Target IP/IK ratings for local weather, dust, salt, and public use. Confirm operating temperature and UV resistance.   Accessibility and wayfinding Design approach paths and reach ranges that work for all drivers. Good lighting and plain-language signage reduce first-session errors.   Payments and communications Confirm OCPP version, roaming options, contactless support, and cellular redundancy.   Operate for reliability   Keep spares for high-wear parts: latches, seals, strain-relief parts, and nozzle shells.   Log temperature and current; throttle when needed to protect connectors and inlets.   Schedule inspections by mating cycles, not just by calendar dates. It matches how parts actually wear.       Proven site templates   Highway travel hub Two 300–350 kW liquid-cooled heads plus two 150–200 kW heads. NACS has priority; keep CCS available during the transition.   Retail center One or two 150 kW DC heads for quick top-ups, backed by six to twelve 11–22 kW AC bays.   Hotel Eight to twenty 7–11 kW AC bays, plus one DC head for early departures and late arrivals.   Fleet depot Overnight AC for most vehicles; 150–300 kW DC capacity for daytime turnarounds. Standardize connectors to your fleet mix.     Procurement checklist Connector standard(s) and counts per pedestal   Cable length and management (retractor or boom); liquid-cooled requirements   IP/IK ratings, UV/salt-fog resistance, operating temperature range   DC current ratings (continuous and peak), AC breaker sizes per port   ISO 15118 readiness, OCPP version, Plug & Charge roadmap   Payment stack (contactless, app, roaming), on-screen guidance   Spares kit (connectors, seals, triggers), field-swappable assemblies   Warranty terms, on-site SLA, remote diagnostics, error-code documentation   Compliance marks (CE, UKCA, TÜV, UL) and local electrical code references       A light note on Workersbee   Workersbee designs and manufactures Type 2, CCS2, NACS and related cable assemblies. In our lab, we validate temperature rise, ingress protection, mating cycles, and environmental durability to help align connector choices with real-world conditions. If you’re planning a mixed-standard site or building in cold or salt-exposed locations, we can share reference specs and sample test plans to speed up your documentation.       FAQ   Do I still need CCS1 in North America if I plan for NACS? Yes—for now. Many new cars ship with NACS ports or adapters, but plenty of vehicles remain CCS1-native. Keeping both standards (or approved adapters) protects utilization during the transition.   Is Plug & Charge worth enabling? Usually yes. It removes steps at session start. Choose hardware that supports ISO 15118 and a backend that can adopt the relevant trust framework.   In Europe, is Type 2 being phased out? No. Type 2 remains the AC interface for public and private charging. CCS2 handles DC fast sessions.