Design decision
AC charging uses the vehicle’s onboard charger. At an illustrative 230 V and 32 A single-phase supply, 230 × 32 / 1000 is approximately 7.4 kW before losses. At 400 V three-phase, √3 × 400 × 16 / 1000 is approximately 11 kW; doubling current to 32 A gives approximately 22 kW. These examples assume a suitable supply and power factor near one. They do not establish a charger’s approved input or output. Mode 3 describes a controlled AC charging arrangement; Type 2 describes an interface, not a charging-power guarantee.
When this approach fits · Limits and alternatives
Long stays can make lower power practical. A vehicle with a single-phase or lower-rated onboard charger cannot automatically use a 22 kW AC installation at its nameplate rating. Short dwell times may instead require a DC option. Ask the installer to specify earthing, circuit protection, residual-current protection and any DC leakage detection for the exact unit; the presence of a 6 mA detector alone does not prove a complete protective design.
Procurement checks
- Confirm target-market Type 2 and 230 V/400 V electrical requirements
- Request RCD and 6 mA DC residual-current detection evidence
- Check vehicle onboard charging limit, phases and cable specification
Evidence to request
Define the installation country, supply, arrival and departure times, energy per session and operating constraints. Ask for an electrical design, exact configuration, test evidence and acceptance plan. Include support responsibilities and data ownership in the written scope.