Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
Vehicle inlets and connectors type 2 for AC and DC charging
Mennekes, global supplier of industrial plugs and sockets as well as developer of the
German standards draft for charging couplers, now introduces another innovation in the
field of charging connectors. With this innovation, the company has implemented a part of
the new philosophy of combined charging connectors, called "Combo System" in the
standards draft, for charging electric vehicles. The concept unites both AC and DC
charging in the type 2 plug geometry for the first time.
The advantages: One single, universal charging connection for all charging types and an
extremely compact and uniform design for all charging capacities. Sufficiently dimensioned
contacts presently allow the connection of large cable diameters for charging capacities of
up to 40kW. Plans are to realise charging capacities of up to 70kW in the future.
Depending on the assignment of the power contacts, the charging connector type 2 can be
used in two ways: purely AC or purely DC charging.
Purely AC charging
Type 2 is known for purely AC charging, in which single to three phases, N and PE
contacts can handle up to 63A. This enables charging capacities from 3kW up to 44kW AC
and covers charging at the earthed socket at home just as quick charging on a powerful
AC charging station.
Image text: Contact assignment type 2 with purely AC charging.
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 1 / 8
Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
Alternative AC or DC charging
The inlet on the electric vehicle can be used as a fully-fledged AC charging connector for
single to three-phases charging. Alternatively, L2 and L3 are used as negative and positive
pole for DC charging to realise charging capacities of up to 40kW DC.
Coding is ensured via the "Combo System" topology and the stipulated digital
communication. The simultaneous provision of AC and DC is not permitted in the topology.
PE, CP and PP contact are used to the same extent in both charging types.
Image text: Contact assignment type 2 with alternative AC or DC-low charging
DC-mid charging
A DC-mid version is planned. Here, the N and the L3 contact are used as positive pole and
the L1 as well as L2 contact as negative pole for DC charging. In the future, this
constellation will allow capacities of up to 70kW DC.
Image text: Contact assignment type 2 with DC-mid charging.
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 2 / 8
Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
DC-high charging
The concept's last expansion step is the DC-high version. This version features a complete
type 2 plug geometry in combination with two additional DC contacts for capacities up to
140kW DC. At present, Mennekes does not offer this concept.
Image text: Contact assignment type 2 with DC-high charging.
Compact design, also for DC use
The large advantage of the DC-low and DC-mid concepts are that these solutions are
characterised by a very compact design and absolutely convincing handling advantages in
comparison to today's standard DC charging couplers. The coupler rests well in the hand
and can also be operated with a single hand thanks to its low weight and the ergonomic
shape.
One for everything: vehicle inlet
Thanks to the universal application possibility of the Mennekes type 2 vehicle inlets,
different charging concepts can be realised with one single plug geometry. This reduces
the number of system components in construction and production while providing the
greatest possible liberty regarding the realisation of possible charging concepts at the
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 3 / 8
Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
same time. Thanks to the type 2 plug geometry, the couplers are similarly compact and
space saving, even with high DC charging capacities, as with the lower AC charging
capacities.
DC charging connector
The DC charging cables are permanently installed on the DC charging station. Therefore
separate charging cables and infrastructure sockets are not required for DC charging.
Mennekes offers the connectors readily mounted and cast on the charging cables.
Conclusion
With the universal AC/DC vehicle inlets, Mennekes implements a part of the philosophy of
new combined charging couplers, called "Combo System" in the standards draft, for
charging electric vehicles at a very early stage in the accustomed Mennekes quality. This
way, the company offers a charging coupler type 2 suited for AC and DC charging. It can
even operate both charging types in one vehicle via the same vehicle inlet. Compared to
the DC charging couplers available in the market today, they are much smaller and thus
easier to handle. The number of system components and the associated logistics extent
are reduced while the application flexibility is increased.
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 4 / 8
Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
Images:
1. Graphic: MENNEKES AC & DC charging coupler type 2
Overview of the contact assignment with the different utilisation options of the type 2
couplers within the “Combo-System” (view of the connector). With the exception of DChigh charging, all charging types can be realised with the Mennekes solution.
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 5 / 8
Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
2. Image: MENNEKES AC & DC vehicle inlet and coupling
The Mennekes AC/DC vehicle inlet offers the highest degree of flexibility when using the
charging types. Matching DC couplings are also available. These are mounted directly on
the charging cables of the DC charging stations.
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 6 / 8
Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
3. Graphic MENNEKES D-rating curve AC & DC charging couplers type 2
All in the green: The derating curve shows that the type 2 charging couplers have passed
the capacity test with flying colours.
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 7 / 8
Media information
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik
GmbH & Co. KG
Aloys-Mennekes-Str. 1
D-57399 Kirchhundem
Telephone0 27 23 / 41-1
Fax
0 27 23 / 41-214
E-mail info@MENNE
KES.de
Internet www .MENNEKES.de
Kirchhundem, September 2011
Printing free of charge, copy requested
MENNEKES Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1935 and is the developer of the German standards draft
for charging couplers as well as leading manufacturer of industrial plugs and sockets. The company has a global
presence with subsidiaries and representations in more than 90 countries and employs over 850 people worldwide.
The product range comprises standardised plugs and sockets in over 11,000 different variants and designs as well as
charging couplers for electric vehicles, which where awarded with the first VDE test seal ever. We take an integrated
approach towards electric mobility and develop components like charging plugs, charging cables and vehicle inlets as
well as complete charging stations for commercial and private application. The solutions thus fulfil perfectly the
requirements of car manufacturers, electric utilities and consumers.
In the past business year, the MENNEKES Group achieved a consolidated turnover of around 100 million Euros. More
than half of the turnover is made in export.
More information at www.MENNEKES.de and at Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
MENNEKES press contact partners:
Burkhard Rarbach, Head of Marketing Services
Telephone 0 27 23 / 41 - 380, fax 0 27 23 / 41 - 49 380, e-mail: burkhard.rarbach@MENNEKES.de
Page 8 / 8