IEC 62196-1:2014

IEC 62196-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2014-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets – Conductive
charging of electric vehicles –
Part 1: General requirements
Fiches, socles de prise de courant, prises mobiles de véhicule et socles de
connecteur de véhicule – Charge conductive des véhicules électriques –
Partie 1: Règles générales
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
CH-1211 Geneva 20 info@iec.ch
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The stand-alone application for consulting the entire The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in 14
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and additional languages. Also known as the International
iPad. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) online.

IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a More than 55 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical English and French extracted from the Terms and Definitions
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced clause of IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries
and withdrawn publications. have been collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37,

77, 86 and CISPR.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
details all new publications released. Available online and If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
also once a month by email. need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: csc@iec.ch.
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Catalogue IEC - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Application autonome pour consulter tous les renseignements
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne de termes électroniques et
bibliographiques sur les Normes internationales,
électriques. Il contient plus de 30 000 termes et définitions en
Spécifications techniques, Rapports techniques et autres
anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans
documents de l'IEC. Disponible pour PC, Mac OS, tablettes
14 langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire
Android et iPad.
Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.

Recherche de publications IEC - www.iec.ch/searchpub
Glossaire IEC - std.iec.ch/glossary
Plus de 55 000 entrées terminologiques électrotechniques, en
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, anglais et en français, extraites des articles Termes et
comité d’études,…). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les Définitions des publications IEC parues depuis 2002. Plus
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées. certaines entrées antérieures extraites des publications des

CE 37, 77, 86 et CISPR de l'IEC.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished

Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues. Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
Disponible en ligne et aussi une fois par mois par email. publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
csc@iec.ch.
IEC 62196-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2014-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets – Conductive

charging of electric vehicles –

Part 1: General requirements
Fiches, socles de prise de courant, prises mobiles de véhicule et socles de

connecteur de véhicule – Charge conductive des véhicules électriques –

Partie 1: Règles générales
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX XC
ICS 29.120.30, 43.120 ISBN 978-2-8322-1666-8

– 2 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
INTRODUCTION . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 11
4 General . 19
4.1 General requirements . 19
4.2 General notes on tests . 19
5 Ratings . 20
5.1 Preferred rated operating voltage ranges . 20
5.2 Preferred rated currents . 20
5.2.1 General . 20
5.2.2 Rated current for signal or control purposes . 20
5.2.3 Accessories not suitable for making and breaking an electrical circuit
under load . 21
5.2.4 Accessories suitable for, or not suitable for, making and breaking an
electrical circuit under load . 21
6 Connection between the power supply and the electric vehicle . 21
6.1 General . 21
6.2 Types of vehicle inlets . 21
6.3 Types of vehicle connectors . 21
6.4 Universal interface . 22
6.5 Basic interface . 23
6.6 D.C. configurations . 24
6.7 Combined interface . 25
6.8 Contact sequencing . 26
7 Classification of accessories. 26
7.1 According to purpose . 26
7.2 According to the method of connecting the conductors . 27
7.3 According to serviceability . 27
7.4 According to electrical operation . 27
7.5 According to interface . 27
7.6 According to use with cable management systems . 27
7.7 According to the locking and interlock functions: . 27
7.7.1 According to locking facilities . 27
7.7.2 According to interlock facilities: . 27
7.8 According to the presence of shutter(s) . 27
8 Marking . 27
9 Dimensions . 29
10 Protection against electric shock . 30
11 Size and colour of protective earthing conductors . 35
12 Provisions for protective earthing . 35
13 Terminals . 37
13.1 Common requirements . 37
13.2 Screw type terminals . 40

13.3 Mechanical tests on terminals . 43
14 Interlocks. 45
14.1 Accessories with interlock . 45
14.2 Accessories with integral switching device . 49
14.3 Control circuit devices and switching elements . 49
14.4 Pilot contacts and auxiliary circuits . 49
15 Resistance to ageing of rubber and thermoplastic material . 50
16 General construction . 50
17 Construction of socket-outlets . 53
17.1 General . 53
17.2 Contact tubes . 53
18 Construction of plugs and vehicle connectors . 55
19 Construction of vehicle inlets . 56
20 Degrees of protection . 56
21 Insulation resistance and dielectric strength . 58
22 Breaking capacity . 59
23 Normal operation . 62
24 Temperature rise . 63
25 Flexible cables and their connection . 65
25.1 Strain relief . 65
25.2 Requirements for plugs and vehicle connectors . 65
25.2.1 Non-rewirable plugs and vehicle connectors . 65
25.2.2 Rewirable plugs and vehicle connectors . 65
25.3 Plugs and vehicle connectors provided with a flexible cable . 66
26 Mechanical strength . 67
26.1 General . 67
26.2 Degree of protection . 68
26.3 Rewirable plugs and vehicle connectors. 69
26.4 Non-rewirable accessories . 70
26.5 Cable glands . 72
26.6 Shutters . 72
26.7 Insulated end caps . 72
26.8 Change of temperature test. 73
26.9 Pull test . 73
27 Screws, current-carrying parts and connections . 73
28 Creepage distances, clearances and distances . 76
29 Resistance to heat, to fire and to tracking . 77
30 Corrosion and resistance to rusting . 79
31 Conditional short-circuit current withstand test. 79
31.1 General . 79
31.2 Ratings and test conditions . 79
31.3 Test circuit . 80
31.4 Calibration . 83
31.5 Test procedure. 83
31.6 Behaviour of the equipment under test . 83
31.7 Acceptance conditions . 84

– 4 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014
32 Electromagnetic compatibility . 84
32.1 Immunity . 84
32.2 Emission . 84
33 Vehicle driveover . 84
Bibliography . 86

Figure 1 – Diagram showing the use of the accessories . 11
Figure 2 – Examples of terminals . 16
Figure 3 – Standard test finger. 31
Figure 4 – Gauge “A” for checking shutters . 33
Figure 5 – Gauge “B” for checking shutters . 34
Figure 6 – Gauges for testing insertability of round unprepared conductors having the
maximum specified cross-section . 41
Figure 7 – Equipment test arrangement . 43
Figure 8 – Apparatus for checking the withdrawal force . 47
Figure 9 – Verification of the latching device . 48
Figure 10 – Circuit diagrams for breaking capacity and normal operation tests . 61
Figure 11 – Apparatus for testing the cable anchorage . 66
Figure 12 – Ball Impact test . 68
Figure 13 – Arrangement for mechanical strength test for plugs and vehicle
connectors . 70
Figure 14 – Apparatus for flexing test . 71
Figure 15 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of short-circuit current
withstand of a two-pole equipment on a single-phase a.c. or d.c. . 81
Figure 16 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of short-circuit current
withstand of a three-pole equipment . 82
Figure 17 – Diagram of the test circuit for the verification of short-circuit current
withstand of a four-pole equipment . 83

Table 1 – Compatibility of mating accessories at vehicle . 22
Table 2 – Overview of the universal vehicle interface . 23
Table 3 – Overview of the basic vehicle interface . 24
Table 4 – Overview of the d.c. vehicle interface . 25
Table 5 – Overview of the combined a.c./d.c. vehicle interface . 26
Table 6 – Short-time test currents . 36
Table 7 – Size for conductors . 37
Table 8 – Values for flexing under mechanical load test . 44
Table 9 – Value for terminal pull test . 45
Table 10 − Withdrawal force with respect to ratings . 49
Table 11 – Cable length used to determine pull force on retaining means . 51
Table 12 – Gauges to measure withdrawal force . 54
Table 13 – Diameter of pins of the test plug . 54
Table 14 – Maximum withdrawal force . 55
Table 15 – Test voltage for dielectric strength test . 59
Table 16 – Breaking capacity . 62

Table 17 – Normal operation . 63
Table 18 – Test current and nominal cross-sectional areas of copper conductors for
temperature rise test . 64
Table 19 – Pull force and torque test values for cable anchorage. 67
Table 20 – Impact energy for ball impact test . 69
Table 21 – Mechanical load flexing test . 71
Table 22 – Torque test values for glands . 72
Table 23 – Pulling force on insulated end caps . 73
Table 24 – Tightening torque for verification of mechanical strength of screw-type
terminals . 74

– 6 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PLUGS, SOCKET-OUTLETS, VEHICLE
CONNECTORS AND VEHICLE INLETS –
CONDUCTIVE CHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES –

Part 1: General requirements
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62196-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 23H: Plugs, socket-
outlets and couplers for industrial and similar applications, and for electric vehicles, of IEC
technical committee 23: Electrical accessories.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2011 and constitutes a
technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of a preferred operating voltage of 1 000 V d.c.;
b) addition of a preferred rated current of 80 A d.c.;
c) addition of a provision for a combined interface a.c./d.c.;
d) description of d.c. configurations (previously under consideration);

e) addition of requirements pertaining to the locking mechanism, the interlock and the
latching device;
f) addition of a test for accessories not suitable for making and breaking an electrical circuit
under load;
g) addition of requirements and tests for insulated end caps.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
23H/302/FDIS 23H/305/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 62196 series, under the general title Plugs, socket-outlets,
vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles, can be found
on the IEC website.
Subsequent parts of IEC 62196 deal with the requirements of particular types of accessories.
The clauses of these particular requirements supplement or modify the corresponding clauses
in Part 1.
In this standard, the following print types are used:
– requirements proper: in roman type;
– test specifications: in italic type;
– notes: in smaller roman type.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 8 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014
INTRODUCTION
IEC 61851-1 specifies electric vehicle conductive charging equipment.
The IEC 62196 series specifies the requirements for plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors,
vehicle inlets and cable assemblies as described in IEC 61851-1.
Some charging can be achieved by direct connection from an electric vehicle to common
mains socket-outlets.
Some modes of charging require a dedicated supply and charging equipment incorporating
control and communication circuits.
IEC 62196 covers the mechanical, electrical and performance requirements for dedicated
plugs, socket outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets for interfacing between such
dedicated charging equipment and the electric vehicle.
IEC 62196 is divided into several parts as follows:
– Part 1: General requirements, comprising clauses of a general character.
– Part 2: Dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for a.c. pin and
contact-tube accessories.
– Part 3 : Dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for d.c. and
a.c./d.c. pin and contact-tube vehicle couplers.

___________
To be published
PLUGS, SOCKET-OUTLETS, VEHICLE
CONNECTORS AND VEHICLE INLETS –
CONDUCTIVE CHARGING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES –

Part 1: General requirements
1 Scope
This part of IEC 62196 is applicable to plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, vehicle inlets
and cable assemblies for electric vehicles, herein referred to as “accessories”, intended for
use in conductive charging systems which incorporate control means, with a rated operating
voltage not exceeding
– 690 V a.c. 50 Hz to 60 Hz, at a rated current not exceeding 250 A,
– 1 500 V d.c. at a rated current not exceeding 400 A.
These accessories are intended to be installed by instructed persons (IEC 60050-195:1998,
IEC 60050-195/AMD1:2001, 195-04-02) or skilled persons (IEC 60050-195:1998, IEC 60050-
195/AMD1:2001, 195-04-01) only.
These accessories and cable assemblies are intended to be used for circuits specified in
IEC 61851-1 which operate at different voltages and frequencies and which may include
extra-low voltage and communication signals.
These accessories and cable assemblies are to be used at an ambient temperature between
–30 °C and +50 °C.
NOTE 1 In some countries, other requirements may apply.
NOTE 2 the following countries, –35 °C applies: SE.
These accessories are intended to be connected only to cables with copper or copper-alloy
conductors.
The accessories covered by this part of IEC 62196 are for use in certain modes of charging
electric vehicles. These modes are defined in IEC 61851-1. These definitions and a
description of the types of connection (cases A, B and C), are described in IEC 61851-1:2010,
6.2 and 6.3.1.
NOTE 3 In the following countries, mode 1 will not be allowed: UK, US, CA, SG.
This part of IEC 62196 does not apply to those standardised accessories used in charging
systems where the use of such accessories constructed to the requirements of other
standards is permitted (e.g. in mode 1 and mode 2). Such standardized accessories may be
used for those situations (mode and case) identified in IEC 61851-1.
This part of IEC 62196 may be used as a guide for accessories with a lesser number of
contacts and lower ratings for use with light duty vehicles.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
– 10 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014
IEC 60068-2-14, Environmental testing – Part 2-14: Tests – Test N: Change of temperature
IEC 60112, Method for the determination of the proof and the comparative tracking indices of
solid insulating materials
IEC 60227 (all parts), Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including
450/750 V
IEC 60228:2004, Conductors of insulated cables
IEC 60245-4, Rubber insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V –
Part 4: Cords and flexible cables
IEC 60269-1, Low-voltage fuses – Part 1: General requirements
IEC 60269-2, Low-voltage fuses – Part 2: Supplementary requirements for fuses for use by
authorised persons (fuses mainly for industrial application) – Examples of standardized
systems of fuses A to K
IEC 60309-4:2006, Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes – Part 4:
Switched socket-outlets and connectors with or without interlock
IEC 60449, Voltage bands for electrical installations of buildings
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)
IEC 60664-1:2007, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests
IEC 60664-3, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 3: Use
of coating, potting or moulding for protection against pollution
IEC 60695-2-11, Fire hazard testing – Part 2-11: Glowing/hot-wire based test methods –
Glow-wire flammability test method for end-products
IEC 60695-10-2, Fire hazard testing – Part 10-2: Abnormal heat – Ball pressure test
IEC 61851-1:2010, Electric vehicle conductive charging system – Part 1: General
requirements
IEC 61851-23:2014, Electric vehicle conductive charging system – Part 23: d.c. electric
vehicle charging station
ISO 1456, Metallic and other inorganic coatings – Electrodeposited coatings of nickel, nickel
plus chromium, copper plus nickel and of copper plus nickel plus chromium
ISO 2081, Metallic and other inorganic coatings – Electroplated coatings of zinc with
supplementary treatments on iron or steel
ISO 2093, Electroplated coatings of tin – Specification and test methods

3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61851-1:2010 as
well as the following apply.
NOTE 1 Where the terms voltage and current are used, they imply r.m.s. values, unless otherwise specified.
NOTE 2 The application of accessories is shown in Figure 1.

Socket-outlet
Plug
Supply
(Mains or EVSE)
Plug and
socket-outlet
In-cable control and protective device (IC-CPD)
Flexible cable
Vehicle
Vehicle coupler
Vehicle connector
Vehicle inlet
IEC  1877/14
Figure 1 – Diagram showing the use of the accessories
3.1
cable assembly
piece of equipment that is used to establish the connection between the electric vehicle and
the electric vehicle supply equipment
Note 1 to entry: A cable assembly may be either fixed to and included in one of these devices, or detachable. It
includes the flexible cable, the vehicle connector and/or plug that are required for proper connection.
Note 2 to entry: A cable assembly may include one or more cables, with or without a fixed jacket, which may be in
a flexible tube, conduit or wire way.
3.2
plug and socket-outlet
means enabling the connection at will of a flexible cable to fixed wiring
Note 1 to entry: It consists of two parts: a socket-outlet and a plug.

– 12 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014
3.2.1
plug
part of a plug and a socket-outlet integral with or intended to be attached to one flexible cable
connected to the electric vehicle or to a vehicle connector
Note 1 to entry: It may include mechanical, electrical or electronic components and circuitry, which perform
control functions.
3.2.2
socket-outlet
part of a plug and a socket-outlet intended to be installed with the fixed wiring or incorporated
in equipment
3.3
vehicle coupler
electric vehicle coupler
means enabling the connection at will of a flexible cable to an electric vehicle
Note 1 to entry: It consists of two parts: a vehicle connector and a vehicle inlet
3.3.1
vehicle connector
electric vehicle connector
part of a vehicle coupler integral with, or intended to be attached to, one flexible cable
3.3.2
vehicle inlet
electric vehicle inlet
part of a vehicle coupler incorporated in, or fixed to, the electric vehicle
3.4
shutter
movable part incorporated into an accessory arranged to automatically shield at least the live
contacts when the accessory is withdrawn from the complementary accessory
[SOURCE: IEC 60884-1:2002, IEC 60884-1/AMD2:2013, 3.27, modified – "socket-outlet" has
been replaced by "accessory" in order to cover socket-outlets, plugs, vehicle connectors and
vehicle inlets.]
3.5
insulated end cap
part made of insulating material, located at the tip of a contact, ensuring a protection against
access to hazardous parts with a standard test finger (IPXXB)
3.6
pilot contact
auxiliary electric contact for use in a control, signalling, monitoring or interlock function
Note 1 to entry: Pilot contact is not considered to be a pole.
[SOURCE: IEC 60309-4:2006, 2.108, modified – "signalling" has been added.]
3.7
compatibility
compatible
ability of accessories to join together and be functional
Note 1 to entry: Non-compatible accessories may physically join together, but not be functional.

3.8
interchangeability
interchangeable
ability of an accessory to replace another, without any modification
Note 1 to entry: Interchangeable accessories generally have similar outer dimensions, fixing centres, etc.
3.9
retaining means
device (e.g. mechanical or electromechanical) which holds a plug or vehicle connector in
position when it is in proper engagement, and prevents its unintentional withdrawal
EXAMPLE See standard sheets in IEC 62196-2 and -3.
3.10
latching device
part of the interlock mechanism provided to hold a plug in the socket-outlet or to hold a vehicle
connector in the vehicle inlet and to prevent its intentional or unintentional withdrawal
EXAMPLE See standard sheets 2-II and 2-IIId in IEC 62196-2:2011 and 3-IIIc in IEC 62196-3:2014.

3.11
locking mechanism
means intended to reduce the likelihood of tampering with, or an unauthorised removal, of the
accessories
EXAMPLE A provision for padlocking.
3.12
interlock
device that prevents the power contacts of a socket-outlet/vehicle connector from becoming
live before it is in proper engagement with a plug/vehicle inlet, and which either prevents the
plug/inlet from being withdrawn while its power contacts are live or makes the power contacts
dead before separation
3.13 Wiring
3.13.1
rewirable accessory
accessory so constructed that the cable or wiring can be replaced; it can be either a user-
serviceable accessory or a field-serviceable accessory
3.13.2
non-rewirable accessory
accessory so constructed that the cable or wiring cannot be separated from the accessory
without making it permanently useless
EXAMPLE A plug which is integrally moulded to the cable is an example of non-rewirable accessory.
3.13.3
user-serviceable accessory
accessory so constructed that it can be rewired, or parts can be replaced, using commonly
available tools and without having to replace individual parts of the accessory
EXAMPLE An ordinary plug, which can be disassembled and wired using a common screwdriver, is an example of
user-serviceable accessory.
– 14 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014
3.13.4
field-serviceable accessory
accessory constructed so that it can only be rewired, repaired or replaced by manufacturer’s
authorised personnel or skilled person according to national regulations
3.14
terminal
conductive part provided for the connection of a conductor to an accessory
3.14.1
pillar terminal
terminal in which the conductor is inserted into a hole or cavity, where it is clamped under the
shank of the screw or screws
Note 1 to entry: The clamping pressure may be applied directly by the shank of the screw or through an
intermediate clamping member to which pressure is applied by the shank of the screw.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 2 a).
3.14.2
screw terminal
terminal in which the conductor is clamped under the head of the screw
Note 1 to entry: The clamping pressure may be applied directly by the head of the screw or through an
intermediate part, such as a washer, clamping plate or anti-spread device.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 2 b).
3.14.3
stud terminal
terminal in which the conductor is clamped under a nut
Note 1 to entry: The clamping pressure may be applied directly by a suitably shaped nut or through an
intermediate part, such as a washer, clamping plate or anti-spread device.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 2 c).
3.14.4
saddle terminal
terminal in which the conductor is clamped under a saddle by means of two or more screws or
nuts
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2 d).
3.14.5
lug terminal
screw terminal or a stud terminal, designed for clamping a cable lug or bar by means of a
screw or nut
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2 e).
3.14.6
mantle terminal
terminal in which the conductor is clamped against the base of a slot in a threaded stud by
means of a nut
Note 1 to entry: The conductor is clamped against the base of the slot by a suitably shaped washer under the nut,
by a central peg if the nut is a cap nut, or by equally effective means for transmitting the pressure from the nut to
the conductor within the slot.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 2 f).

IEC  1331/11
a) Pillar terminals
IEC  1332/11
b) Screw-type terminals
IEC  1333/11
c) Stud terminals
IEC  1334/11
d) Saddle terminals
IEC  1335/11
e) Lug terminals
– 16 – IEC 62196-1:2014 © IEC 2014

IEC  1336/11
f) Mantle terminals
Figure 2 – Examples of terminals
3.15
clamping unit
part of a terminal necessary for the clamping and the electrical connection of the
...