ISO 7638-1:2018
(Main)Road vehicles - Connectors for the electrical connection of towing and towed vehicles - Part 1: Connectors for braking systems and running gear of vehicles with 24 V nominal supply voltage
Road vehicles - Connectors for the electrical connection of towing and towed vehicles - Part 1: Connectors for braking systems and running gear of vehicles with 24 V nominal supply voltage
This part of ISO 7638 gives the dimensions of, and specifies the contact allocation and tests and test requirements for, connectors for the electrical connection of the braking systems and running gear of towing and towed vehicles with 24 V nominal supply voltage. In addition, it specifies a park socket used to receive and store the plug when disconnected.
Véhicules routiers — Connecteurs pour liaisons électriques entre véhicules tracteurs et véhicules tractés — Partie 1: Connecteurs pour les équipements de freinage et les organes de roulement des véhicules à tension nominale de 24 V
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 16-May-2018
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Close of review
- Completion Date
- 02-Dec-2028
Relations
- Effective Date
- 23-Jan-2016
Overview
ISO 7638-1:2018 specifies dimensional, electrical and mechanical requirements for connectors used to link braking systems and running gear between towing and towed vehicles with a 24 V nominal supply voltage. The standard defines plug, socket and park-socket dimensions, contact allocation and designation, terminal and cable sizes, and test requirements (mating, endurance, connection/disconnection forces). It ensures reliable electrical connections for trailer braking and running-gear functions and provides guidance for component design, assembly and testing.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Dimensional characteristics
- Defined geometries for plug, socket and park socket; cover and locking lever design requirements. (Certain unspecified details left to manufacturer discretion.)
- Park socket intended to receive and store the plug when disconnected; cover closes automatically.
- Locking lever maximum distance requirement for interchangeability.
- Contact allocation and designation
- A 7-contact allocation for brake/running-gear functions (contacts 1–7), including Plus electrovalve, Plus/Minus electronics, Warning device, CAN_H and CAN_L for data exchange.
- Contact numbers must be permanently marked on the inside of the socket cover and terminal faces (character height ≥ 2 mm where space permits).
- Terminals and connecting cable
- Rear terminals accept specified conductor sizes: Contacts 1 & 4 - 4 mm²; Contacts 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7 - 1.5 mm² (other sizes by agreement).
- Connecting cables must meet applicable parts of ISO 4141.
- Mechanical and electrical tests
- Compliance with ISO 4091 test procedures unless otherwise specified.
- Mismating prevention: connectors must not mate with ISO 12098 or ISO 7638-2 connectors without excessive force.
- Connection/disconnection force: shall not exceed 35 N (per ISO 4091 test).
- Endurance: tested for 10 000 cycles.
- Design details
- Contacts shall be floating and self-aligning on engagement.
- Sealing ring mounting and smooth, burr-free areas are specified for durability and sealing.
Applications and Who Uses This Standard
- Vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) and trailer builders specifying trailer-to-towing vehicle electrical interfaces for braking and running gear.
- Connector and cable suppliers designing 24 V trailer connectors, park sockets and coiled/uncoiled cable assemblies.
- Test laboratories and quality engineers performing conformity and endurance testing.
- Systems integrators implementing CAN-based braking communication (reference ISO 11992 series).
- Regulatory and procurement teams requiring standards-based compatibility across fleets.
Related Standards
- ISO 7638-2 - same family for 12 V systems.
- ISO 12098 - 15‑pole connector for 24 V vehicles (mating considerations).
- ISO 4091 - general connector tests and requirements (referenced test methods).
- ISO 4141 - multi-core connecting cables.
- ISO 11992-1 / ISO 11992-2 - digital data interchange for brakes and running gear.
Keywords: ISO 7638-1:2018, connectors for towing and towed vehicles, 24 V trailer connector, braking system connector, park socket, contact allocation, connector endurance test.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 7638-1:2018 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Road vehicles - Connectors for the electrical connection of towing and towed vehicles - Part 1: Connectors for braking systems and running gear of vehicles with 24 V nominal supply voltage". This standard covers: This part of ISO 7638 gives the dimensions of, and specifies the contact allocation and tests and test requirements for, connectors for the electrical connection of the braking systems and running gear of towing and towed vehicles with 24 V nominal supply voltage. In addition, it specifies a park socket used to receive and store the plug when disconnected.
This part of ISO 7638 gives the dimensions of, and specifies the contact allocation and tests and test requirements for, connectors for the electrical connection of the braking systems and running gear of towing and towed vehicles with 24 V nominal supply voltage. In addition, it specifies a park socket used to receive and store the plug when disconnected.
ISO 7638-1:2018 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 43.040.10 - Electrical and electronic equipment; 43.040.40 - Braking systems. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 7638-1:2018 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 7638-1:2003. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 7638-1:2018 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7638-1
Third edition
2018-05
Road vehicles — Connectors for the
electrical connection of towing and
towed vehicles —
Part 1:
Connectors for braking systems and
running gear of vehicles with 24 V
nominal supply voltage
Véhicules routiers — Connecteurs pour liaisons électriques entre
véhicules tracteurs et véhicules tractés —
Partie 1: Connecteurs pour les équipements de freinage et les organes
de roulement des véhicules à tension nominale de 24 V
Reference number
©
ISO 2018
© ISO 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Dimensional characteristics . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Plug . 2
4.3 Socket . 2
4.4 Park socket . 2
5 Application of the connector . 2
5.1 General . 2
5.2 Contact allocation . 6
5.3 Contact designation . 7
5.4 Terminals . 7
5.5 Connecting cable . 7
6 Tests and specific requirements . 7
6.1 General . 7
6.2 Mismating . 8
6.3 Connection and disconnection . 8
6.4 Endurance . 8
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
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electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
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For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
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World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 32,
Electrical and electronic components and general system aspects.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 7638-1:2003), which has been technically
revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— figures in the document have been revised.
A list of all the parts in the ISO 7638 series can be found on the ISO website.
iv © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
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