As more electric vehicles (EVs) hit the road, users demand charging services that match their usability expectations against the speed of today’s traditional refueling stations. Reliance on electric power to operate many EVs means that the demand for charging points needs to rapidly increase, to make facilities accessible within both public and private settings.

EV cables needed for such service can be impacted by several factors including installation, component failure, weather conditions and even user damage. These are key challenges to ensuring that the cable products installed are safe and efficient for long-term use within their infrastructure and can function as expected within demanding conditions. Testing and certification of cable products is vital to minimizing the risk of failure.

Two standards in relation to EV charging cables have been implemented to reduce risk to safety. Within Testing and certification of cable products is vital to minimizing the risk of failure in EV charging infrastructure. Source: BASECEurope EN 50620 is most prevalent and specifies design, dimension and test requirements for halogen free cables with voltage ratings up to 450/470 V. The IEC 62893 series also specifies the construction, dimensions and test requirements of EV charging cables. Independent, third party testing and approval bodies undertake rigorous checks to assess an EV charging cable product's ability to meet the requirements of safety and quality in line with the standards.

To safeguard the implementation of EV charging infrastructures, it is crucial that cables are thoroughly tested for quality and safety, while also ensuring that they will be reliable and efficient once in operation. Comprehensive testing as part of an EV certification program is designed to assess pressure, heat shock, ultraviolet resistance, water immersion and flame retardance

A complimentary EV cable testing guide is available from the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC).