New SAE J2894/2 – Plug-in EV (Electric Vehicle) Chargers

SAE’s Hybrid – EV Committee has just issued another in their series of ground vehicle standards on electric vehicles.  This new SAE J2894/2, “Power Quality Test Procedures for Plug-In Electric Vehicle Chargers,” should be used in tandem with the SAE J2894/1, “Power Quality Requirements for Plug-In Electric Vehicle Chargers.”  The new Part 2 provides you with test procedures for both quality and efficiency.

What is the rationale for the J2894 standards?  SAE members and others realized that the rising sales of EV’s (Electric Vehicles) has the potential to put new (and possibly unexpected) strains on the electrical grid.  In addition to the pull of power — potentially at peak periods, there are also concerns about the possibilities of electromagnetic interference and other harmonic distortions.

Why was the scope of the Part 2 expanded beyond that of the Part 1?  The industry is developing at a rapid pace.  Folks who are using the standard needed complete guidance to meet both state and federal requirements that are different than those of 2011.  So the document now supports system level analyses for processes appropriate to 2015.

How does the SAE J2894/2 work?  The standard sets out a boundary system.  In this system boundary, the parts of the battery charging system included for evaluation are the EVSE (electric vehicle supply system), the battery charger (BC), the system powering auxiliary loads, and the battery.  The system boundary for most of the systems expected to be evaluated using this Recommended Practice is shown in Figure 1.  Then J2894/2 defines the tested elements and the measurement points.  You analyze the information that results from your testing to evaluate efficiency and response to events.  FYI: Some systems may require multiple measurement points to capture all auxiliary loads.

How can you get your copy of this new J standard?  Order from Document Center Inc., an authorized distributor of  the SAE Standards.  You can purchase your copies online at our webstore, www.document-center.com, in both paper format and for pdf download.  Or contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have been providing folks like you with standards from our Silicon Valley headquarters since 1982.  Make us your Standards  Experts!