GB/T 20234.3-2023Connection Set for Conductive Charging of Electric Vehicles – Part 3: DC Charging Coupler (English PDF)
电动汽车传导充电用连接装置 第3部分:直流充电接口
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FAQ for GB/T 20234.3-2023
What is GB/T 20234.3-2023?
GB/T 20234.3-2023 is Part 3 of China's standard for EV charging connection sets. It defines the DC charging coupler — vehicle plug and vehicle socket — used for fast charging: ratings, contact layout and functions, connection sequence, locking device and dimensions.
What voltage and current does GB/T 20234.3-2023 allow?
It covers DC charging couplers rated up to 1,500 V and 800 A. Higher currents rely on active (usually liquid) cooling. The 2015 edition stopped at 1,000 V and 250 A.
What the higher limits mean in practiceIs a locking device required?
Yes. The 2023 edition requires a mechanical lock that stops the plug from coming out during charging, and recommends an electronic lock with an emergency release. Plugs used by automatic charging devices are the exception.
Is the 2023 connector compatible with older chargers and cars?
Yes. Compatibility with vehicles and charging stations already in use is a stated goal of the standard: the basic shape and contact layout stay the same, while ratings, locking and some details such as the CC2 contact sleeve height are updated.
Which other standards do I need with GB/T 20234.3?
Part 1 (GB/T 20234.1) sets the general requirements and test methods, and the charger-to-vehicle communication protocol is in GB/T 27930. High-power DC charging has its own Part 4 (GB/T 20234.4).
Is GB/T 20234.3-2023 mandatory?
It is a recommended national standard (GB/T). In practice it is the connector used by DC chargers and electric vehicles across China, because any car must fit any public charger.
Is GB/T 20234.3-2023 available in English?
Yes. ChinaStandards.org offers the complete English translation of GB/T 20234.3-2023 as a PDF, including all dimension drawings and the locking device examples.
Issued by
SAMR; SAC
Level / Type
National · Recommended
Issue date
September 7, 2023
Implementation date
September 7, 2023
Scope
GB/T 20234.3-2023 is the English-translated version of 电动汽车传导充电用连接装置 第3部分:直流充电接口.
This Document specifies the general requirements, ratings, connection interface, contact arrangement, contact function, model, structural dimensions and other requirements for the DC charging coupler for conductive charging of electric vehicles.
It applies to DC charging couplers with rated voltage not exceeding DC 1500V and rated current (continuous maximum operating current) not exceeding 800 A.
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Document preview — GB/T 20234.3-2023
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
- ICS
- 43.040.99
- Classification
- T35
- Replacing
- GB/T 20234.3-2015
Issued by: State Administration for Market Regulation; Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
Contents
- Foreword3
- Introduction5
- 1 Scope6
- 2 Normative References6
- 3 Terms and Definitions6
- 4 General Requirements6
- 5 Ratings7
- 6 Connection Functions7
- 7 Structural Dimensions of Charging Coupler10
- 8 Installation Examples of the Vehicle Socket13
- 9 Space Dimension of the Vehicle Plug16
- 10 Structural Example of Locking Device17
Foreword
This Document was drafted as per the rules specified in GB/T 1.1-2020 Directives for Standardization – Part 1: Rules for the Structure and Drafting of Standardizing Documents.
This Document was Part 3 of GB/T 20234 Connection Set for Conductive Charging of Electric Vehicles. GB/T 20234 consists of the following parts:
--- Part 2: AC charging coupler;
--- Part 3: DC charging coupler.
This Document replaced GB/T 20234.3-2015 Connection Set for Conductive Charing of Electric Vehicles – Part 3: DC Charging Coupler. Compared with GB/T 20234.3-2015, the major technical changes of this Document are as follows besides the structural adjustments and editorial modifications:
a) Change the rated voltage and rated current of the DC charging interface (see Clause 1,
Tables 1 and 2 of this Edition; Clause 1, Tables 1 and 2 of the 2015 Edition);
b) Add requirements for locking devices (see 6.4 of this Edition);
c) Change the height dimensions of the vehicle socket CC2 plug bush (see 7.3 of this Edition;
Appendix A of the 2015 Edition);
d) Added structural examples of locking devices (see Clause 10 of this Edition).
Please note some contents of this Document may involve patents. The issuing agency of this Document shall not assume the responsibility to identify these patents.
This Document was proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China.
This Document shall be under the jurisdiction of National Technical Committee of Auto Standardization (SAC/TC 114).
Motor Co., Ltd.; Suzhou Chilye Green Technology Co., Ltd.; China National Electric Apparatus Research Institute Co., Ltd.; Amphenol PCD (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.; TELD New Energy Co., Ltd.; Zeekr Automobile (Ningbo Hangzhou Bay New Zone) Co., Ltd.; CSG Smart (Hefei) Science & Technology Co., Ltd.; Xiaomi Automobile Technology Co., Ltd.; Beijing Xiaoju New Energy Automobile Technology Co., Ltd.; Hangzhou Jiawa New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.; Qingdao Huashuo Gaoke New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.; Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp., Ltd.; Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.; Hefei Gotion High-Tech Power Energy Co., Ltd.; Shenzhen CEGN Co., Ltd.; Potevio New Energy Co., Ltd.; Zhengzhou Shanxiang New Energy Tech Co., Ltd.; Yunshan Smart New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.; Great Wall Motor Company Limited; Hozon New Energy Auto Co., Ltd.; and Shenzhen Daotong Hechuang New Energy Co., Ltd.
Chief drafting staffs of this Document: Ling Heping, Xu Xiao, Wang Fang, Shi Jianyong, Li Chuan, Zhao Ying, Li Jin, Liu Kai, Wang Xu, Zhou Guangying, Tan Yi, Shao Changhong, Cai Jun, Liang Wei, Liu Qingrong, Lan Hailong, Zhao Lvhua, Xu Pingan, Tian Yuwei, Jiang Yi, Wang Kai, Wang Min, Lv Guowei, Wang Jinming, Shi Laifeng, Yin Jiatong, Deng Chenghao, Huang Hongtu, Wang Bin, Lan Haibo, Li Changluo, Cheng Hao, Han Kang, Zhang Meng, Wu Liang, Jiang Rui, Ma Xing, Feng Bin, Qian Jindu, Gao Feng, Peng Bo, Jiang Dianshuang, Lin Xuan, Yan Yajiang, Peng Wenke, Guo Yinfei, Yue Yunpeng, Yue Zengquan, Gu Zhaoning, Chen Jiyong, Zhang Xin, Tian Zhilong, Li Yinrong, Deng Chaoqun, Wu Xuejian, Lin Weiyi, and Dai Jun.
The historical editions replaced by this Document are as follows:
--- It was second-time revised hereby.
Introduction
Conductive charging is the basic way to realize electric energy supply for electric vehicles. GB/T 20234 aims to standardize the technical requirements and test methods of charging connection devices and unify the interface type and structural size of charging interfaces, thereby realizing the interconnection between electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. GB/T 20234 is planned to consist of the following 4 parts:
for charging connection devices and ensure the functionality and reliability of the product.
interface, structural dimensions, etc. of the AC charging coupler to achieve the interchangeability of the AC charging coupler.
interface, structural dimensions, etc. of the DC charging coupler (including high-power charging) to achieve the interchangeability of the DC charging coupler.
function and layout, cable requirements, thermal management system, technical requirements, test methods, etc. of the DC charging connection device, as well as the definition, technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, etc. of the adapter.
In order to cover more charging scenarios, it is necessary to expand the rating of the DC charging coupler to meet the use requirements of high-power DC charging and low-power DC charging, respectively.
1 Scope
This Document specifies the general requirements, ratings, connection interface, contact arrangement, contact function, model, structural dimensions and other requirements for the DC charging coupler for conductive charging of electric vehicles.
This Document applies to DC charging couplers with rated voltage not exceeding DC 1500V and rated current (continuous maximum operating current) not exceeding 800 A.
2 Normative References
The provisions in following documents become the essential provisions of this Document through reference in this Document. For the dated documents, only the versions with the dates indicated are applicable to this Document; for the undated documents, only the latest version (including all the amendments) is applicable to this Document.
3 Terms and Definitions
4 General Requirements
shall meet the requirements of relevant standards or documents.
5 Ratings
The ratings of the DC charging coupler shall comply with the provisions of Table 1.
NOTE 1: The rated current (maximum continuous operating current) is the maximum continuous charging current
that the entire charging coupler (including necessary cables and wires) can carry after the vehicle plug and vehicle socket are fully connected.
larger rated current (maximum continuous operating current).
NOTE 3: Under active cooling conditions, the maximum continuous operating current of the charging coupler is affected by the cooling conditions. When the cooling capacity is sufficient, the charging coupler has a large maximum continuous operating current. The maximum continuous operating current of the charging coupler is usually greater than the current value given in the table.
NOTE 4: The short-term (non-continuous) maximum operating current allowed by the charging coupler can usually be greater than the rated current or the maximum continuous operating current. When charging, the charging current is adjusted in real time based on the thermal management system, contact temperature, surface temperature and other conditions of the charging connection device.
6 Connection Functions
6.1 Connection interface and contact arrangement
The connection interface and contact arrangement of the vehicle plug and vehicle socket shall comply with the provisions of Figures 1 and 2, respectively.
6.3 Contact connection interface
6.3.1 The sequence of contact coupling when the vehicle plug is inserted into the vehicle socket is: protective earthing (3), charging connection confirmation CC2 (7), DC power DC± (1 and 2), low-voltage auxiliary power A± (8 and 9), charging communication S± (4 and 5), charging connection confirmation CC1 (6). When the vehicle plug is pulled out from the vehicle socket, the sequence of contact disengagement is reverse to that during insertion.
6.4 Locking device
6.4.1 The DC charging coupler shall have a mechanical locking device. The mechanical locking device shall be able to prevent accidental disconnection of the charging coupler during normal working conditions. The vehicle plug shall be equipped with a mechanical locking rod, mechanical lock head, pin and other mechanisms; and the vehicle socket shall be equipped with a mechanical locking notch that can match the mechanical lock head. 6.4.2 The vehicle plug should have an electronic locking device, and the electronic locking device should be able to lock and unlock the movement of the mechanical locking rod. The vehicle plug should have an emergency unlocking function, and should be able to unlock the mechanical locking lever when the electronic locking device is powered off or fails. 6.4.3 If the vehicle plug is used in an automatic charging connection device that cannot be directly plugged and unplugged manually, the vehicle plug does not need to have a locking device. […]
7 Structural Dimensions of Charging Coupler
7.1 General
The structural dimension of charging coupler products shall not exceed the scope specified in 7.2 and 7.3.
7.3 Vehicle socket
The structural dimension of the vehicle socket shall comply with the provisions of Figure 5. […]
8 Installation Examples of the Vehicle Socket
8.2 Rear installation method
See Figure 7 for an example of the installation dimensions for the vehicle socket rear installation method.
Example 2 can also be used.
When using Example 2, the thickness of the installation surface should not exceed the vehicle socket connection end face. If exceeded, the installation surface opening should be sized to accommodate the largest profile of vehicle plug.
8.3 Integrated structure
An example of the integrated structural dimensions of a vehicle socket is shown in Figure 8.
9 Space Dimension of the Vehicle Plug
The space dimension of the vehicle plug shall comply with the provisions of Figure 9.
The mechanical locking head protective cover (cap) is optional, not recommended and does not limit its use.
The vehicle plug product style in the Figure is only an indication of the space dimension range, and does not represent the appearance and structure of the specific product.
10 Structural Example of Locking Device
Structural examples of the mechanical locking device and electronic locking device of the DC charging coupler are shown in Figures 10 and 11.
2 - Vehicle plug reference C surface;
6 - The lock block of the electronic locking device (including manual emergency unlocking function).
The electronic locking device can lock in front and rear direction and unlock, and can move horizontally or in an arc.
The electronic locking device can lock and unlock up and down, left and right movements, and can move left and right, up and down horizontally or in a circular arc.
......
This preview omits tables, figures, formulas and parts of the technical clauses. The complete document — 19 pages — is available in the English PDF.
Referenced standards
Cited by
- GB/T 18487.4-2025Electric vehicle conductive charging and discharging system - Part 4: Discharging requirements for electric vehicle
- GB/T 20344-2025Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry - Power transmission connectors
- GB/T 34657.1-2025Interoperability test specifications of electric vehicle conductive charging — Part 1: Supply equipment
- GB/T 34658-2025Conformance test for communication protocols between off-board conductive charger and battery management system for electric vehicle
- GB/T 45929-2025Electric earth-moving machinery — Safety requirements
- GB/T 18487.5-2024Electric vehicle conductive charging system - Part 5: DC charging system for use with GB/T 20234.3
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Related Standards
GB/T 20234.2-2015 — Connection sets for conductive charging of electric vehicles - Part 2: AC charging couplers
GB/T 20234.4-2023 — Connection set of conductive charging for electric vehicles - Part 4: High power DC charging coupler
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