As more electric vehicles (EVs) enter the marketplace; consumers have a greater interest in finding locations that provide “efficient” or “dependable” EV charging solutions. One of the most frequently installed types of EV charging stations in North America is called a Level 2 J1772 EV charging station – therefore, if you are looking into purchasing/using different types of EV charging stations, you will likely have become familiar with these charging stations! In this article, we will discuss how a Level 2 J1772 EV charger connects to an electric vehicle (EV) via the J1772 connector; what type(s) of EV can work with a Level 2 charger; and will a Level 2 charger meet your needs as an EV owner/operator?

What is J1772 EV Charging?

On the continent, there are multiple kinds of charging stations available for electric vehicles, including AC Level 1 and AC Level 2 (J1772) systems. The J1772 connector is part of a set of standardized connectors created by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and can be used by a range of different electric vehicle types (e.g., sedan, SUV) of various sizes (e.g., 4-door vehicles, larger vehicles).

When charging with a standard Level 1 charger, users can expect to receive about 4-5 miles of charge in one hour of use. On the other hand, using a J1772/Type 1 EV charger will allow for a much greater level of charging, providing about 20-60 miles of travel for each hour/energy consumed to fully charge the battery of your vehicle depending on how your EV is configured and how well you have connected the J1772/Type 1 to your EV and on how many of the available connectors your vehicle has to work with.

Is Type 2 the Same as J1772?

Differentiating Between J1772 and Type 2 Connectors

No; J1772 and type 2 connectors differ from each other. In Europe, the type 2 (Mennekes) connector has been established as the standard for charging with AC power; whereas in North America, the standard for charging with AC power is the J1772. Consequently, if you are charging an EV in North America, the charging station will have a J1772 connector. If you would like to be able to charge at other locations or utilize other charging networks, you will need to find an adapter that connects to your vehicle’s charger.

Why Choose a Level 2 EV Charger with J1772?

A Level 2 EV charging station with J1772 compatibility provides several distinct advantages:

• Level 2 charging equipment has faster charge times than Level 1 because the maximum electricity supplied by a Level 2 unit is significantly higher (up to 240v and 80A) than that of a Level 1 unit. This allows for receiving power much sooner than you would at a Level 1 charging station.
• Most of the electric car users would want to charge their vehicles at home using a class 2 Charging Station which will allow them to charge their vehicles while they sleep, and they will begin each day with a fully charged battery in their electric vehicles.
• The J1772 standard has been adopted for use in all North American (U.S. & Canada) electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), providing an assurance that every EV or PHEV can be successfully charged at any location where a J1772 charger is available.
• Many kinds of chargers (level 2) exist to charge your electric vehicle and will eventually help to develop the infrastructure necessary to fully support electric vehicles.

Key Features to Look for in a Level 2 EV Charger

When purchasing a Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger for your home or place of business, it is important to consider that there are several varieties of Level 2 EV Chargers available; each will differ in terms of available features.

You need to pick the EV charger with the correct wattage in order for it to be compatible with your EV’s onboard electrical system when looking to purchase a new EV charger. If you buy an EV that has a higher amperage (for example 40 or 50 amps), then down the road you may be able to switch to a more robust charger if your charging needs change.

Using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth allows you to choose how to power your device. There are many charger apps that allow integration of your charger into your phone as well as allow customization of charging. For example, you can specify when to charge, whether to charge when away from home and for how long to charge.

If you are considering an outdoor charging unit, you should consider how durable you need your device to be based on the different types of environments they will be used in. For example, if a are primarily charging devices in wet weather or very cold temperatures, you will want a unit that is rated for rugged outdoor use; therefore, knowing if your charger is rated for outdoor usage or not will help you select the best product.

For certain traits, a Level 2 charger is perfect for people who travel a lot. One key benefit of using a Level 2 charger is that it’s flexible in that you can plug it in to many different types of outlets at many different places.

How to Install a Level 2 EV Charger at Home

If you want to install a Level 2 EV charging station for your home, you’ll need to hire an experienced electrician and make sure that you understand how to do so. The installation process involves several steps that you must follow:

For an electrician to assess the feasibility of installing or upgrading your existing electrical system they will need to evaluate the following:
(1) New 240 volt circuit.
(2) Evaluate your current electrical panel during the 240 volt circuit upgrade process.

Once you have installed the necessary electrical outlets and wiring, you will be able to mount your charging station to a wall next to the vehicle or on a nearby pole based on your preference.

It’s critical to verify that your charger is functioning prior to departing the store. This way you can perform one last check of your EV with the charger you purchased at the store.

If you want to buy a high-quality Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger, you’ll have to pay more up front, but federal and state tax credits and rebates will help reduce your overall cost.

FAQs

What is J1772 electric vehicle charging?

The National North American Region Recommended Charging Standards have established Level 1 and Level 2 ADC – AC Charging Station standards that will accommodate virtually all EV’s sold within North America as well as meet the requirements set forth by numerous federally mandated programs.

Does the standard of type 2 correspond with J1772?

Type 2 is for Europe and J1772 is for North America.

Are all electric vehicles compatible with a J1772 connector?

In North America, the standard plug for EV chargers is the J1772; however, you will need an adapter and conversion kit to convert your Tesla from its current connector configuration to J1772.

Will a Level 2 charging device work with a 110 volt wall socket?

Since Level 2 charging uses more energy than Level 1 charging, when charging at Level 2 either use a 240-volt circuit or a 110-volt wall outlet and/or a Level 1 charging station to charge up your vehicle while using the Level 1 option.

If you are looking to buy or currently own an electric vehicle, you need to weigh several different factors when you’re choosing a charging station (Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger) capable of supplying power to your vehicle (opting to use the J1772 connection). Some of these factors are how much power you will be provided by the charging station, what type of connector will be needed to connect your charging station to your electric vehicle, and where you will install your charging station (charge multiple units) to ensure they are easily accessible to you and your electric vehicle(s) (whether in a home garage facility or elsewhere). With the electric vehicle market constantly expanding and all new products utilizing electric and other renewable energy sources being developed on an ongoing basis, investing in the purchase of a Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Unit will provide you a reliable source of Level 2 charging solutions to your electric vehicle(s) for years to come.