GB/T connector: features, characteristics and use

The electric vehicle industry is developing rapidly, and charging standards play an important role in this process. The compatibility of the vehicle's charging connector with charging stations is a critical factor for the convenient use of electric vehicles. There are several common standards in the world today, including CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla NACS. Among them, a special place is occupied by the GB/T connector, which has become an important element of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

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The GB/T has been designed to provide stable and efficient vehicle charging. It supports both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) fast charging. The difference between this standard is that two separate connectors are used for AC and DC charging, which ensures the reliability and efficiency of the charging process.

Due to its unique nature, GB/T is incompatible with other standards without special adapters, but at the same time offers a high level of charging stability and efficient power transfer management.

What is a GB/T connector

GB/T is an electrical standard that specifies the physical and electrical characteristics of charging connectors. It covers both slow alternating current (AC) charging and fast direct current (DC) charging.

Unlike combined connectors used by other standards, GB/T uses separate connectors for different types of charging. This allows for an optimised design of each port, ensuring stable performance and meeting high safety requirements.

The main advantages of GB/T connectors:

• high charging efficiency and minimal energy losses
• Separate connectors for AC and DC charging, which prevents mixing of signals
• support for a wide range of power levels for different types of vehicles
• Stable data exchange between the vehicle and the charging station to control the charging process

This standard is used in many countries that support a developed charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

How the GB/T connector works

The GB/T connector functions by combining an electrical connection and digital communication between the charging station and the electric vehicle. It works by exchanging data between the two devices, allowing the charging station to automatically adjust the charging parameters according to the battery's characteristics.

Before charging begins, the system is checked for connectivity and diagnosed. The connection confirmation contacts (CC) signal the charging station that the cable is correctly inserted and ready for use. The charging station then communicates with the battery via the communication contacts (S+ and S-) using the CAN protocol. This allows the battery charge level, the permissible voltage and the maximum current that can be delivered to be determined.

Once the parameters have been agreed, charging begins. If alternating current (AC) is used, the power is supplied via the phase contacts (L1, L2, L3) and converted to direct current directly in the electric vehicle. If direct current (DC) fast charging is used, the power is supplied via the DC+ and DC- contacts directly to the battery, bypassing the vehicle's internal converter.

The system monitors temperature, voltage and current levels throughout the process. In the event of overheating or malfunctions, the charging station automatically shuts down the power supply to avoid damaging the battery. When charging is complete, the current is switched off smoothly to prevent sudden voltage drops.

Technical specifications

The GB/T connector has been developed to meet the different charging requirements of electric vehicles. As electric vehicles can have different power consumption levels, the connector supports both slow alternating current (AC) and fast direct current (DC) charging. This enables electric vehicles to be charged in a wide range of capacities depending on the type of station and the technical capabilities of the vehicle.

One of the key features of GB/T is the use of separate connectors for AC and DC charging. This distinguishes it from combined systems such as CCS, where a single connector supports both charging modes. This approach allows the design of each connection to be optimised, ensuring stable power transfer and efficient charging management.

Consider the main technical parameters of the GB/T connector depending on the type of charging.

AC charging

This type of charging is used to slowly replenish the battery. It is most often used at home, at public stations and in car parks where there is no need for fast charging. AC charging has a lower power output, which reduces the load on the power grid and contributes to a longer battery life.

• Voltageup to 440 V
• Current strength: up to 63 A
• Maximum power: up to 27.7 kW
• Connection type: three-phase or single-phase
• Communication: analogue protocol via a control pilot

DC charging

DC charging provides a much faster charging process by directly supplying direct current to the vehicle battery. This allows the 80% to be charged in just 30-40 minutes, which is critical for commercial vehicles, taxis and drivers travelling long distances.

• Voltage: up to 1000 V
• Current strength: up to 250 A
• Maximum power: up to 250 kW
• Connection type: double-pole DC connector
• Communication: digital protocol based on the CAN bus

The high power of DC charging reduces vehicle downtime at the charging station and increases the efficiency of electric vehicles.

Detailed pinout diagram

The GB/T connector has a complex design that includes a set of contacts responsible for power transmission and information exchange between the electric vehicle and the charging station. Unlike other standards that combine AC and DC charging in one connector, GB/T uses two separate connectors. This solution allows for the separation of charging modes, which improves performance stability and simplifies the design of electrical systems.

The contacts in GB/T connectors perform different functions: some of them are designed to transfer current, while others control the connection, check the battery status and ensure safe charging. Thanks to this multi-level system, the charging station can adapt the charging parameters to the characteristics of the electric vehicle battery, preventing overheating, overvoltage and short circuits.

GB/T connector for AC charging

The AC connector includes several contacts responsible for power transmission and connection control. Its operation is based on a standard three-phase system that ensures stable charging when connected to the appropriate infrastructure.

Contacts that transmit energy:

• L1, L2, L3 - three-phase contacts for AC power supply
• N - neutral contact that completes the electrical circuit
• PE - ground contact to prevent short circuits

Contacts for charging control:

• CC - connection confirmation contact, which activates the charging station after connecting the cable
• CP - control pilot contact, used to check the connection and communication status between the vehicle and the charging station

The pilot control signal transmitted via the CP pin is an important part of safe charging. It allows the station to adapt the power level to the needs of the electric vehicle and check the connection status.

GB/T connector for DC charging

The DC connector operates at high voltages and powers, which significantly reduces the battery charging time. As the energy is transferred directly to the vehicle battery, it is important to ensure the process is safe and the key parameters are controlled.

Contacts that transmit energy:

• DC+ / DC- - main power contacts for direct current supply

Contacts for management and communication:

• CC1 / CC2 - connection confirmation contacts that activate the charging process
• S+ / S- - CAN bus contacts that transmit data between the car and the charging station
• A+ / A- - auxiliary power contacts to support the charging station operation
• PE - ground contact for surge protection

Before starting charging, the system checks the integrity of the insulation, the correctness of the connection and matches the charging parameters between the electric vehicle and the station. This avoids the risk of overheating or overloading the battery.

Compatibility and adapters

GB/T is not physically compatible with CCS or CHAdeMO, which means that an electric vehicle with a GB/T connector cannot be directly connected to charging stations of another standard. However, there are adapters that solve this problem by converting not only the shape of the connector, but also the communication protocol between the car and the station.

The most common adapters:

• GB/T → CCS - allows charging cars with GB/T at CCS stations
• GB/T → CHAdeMO - provides connection to CHAdeMO stations
• CCS → GB/T - used to charge CCS electric vehicles at GB/T stations

Because different standards use different communication methods, adapters do not always work correctly. They need to support a communication protocol so that the vehicle can negotiate charging parameters with the charging station.

Comparison with other connectors

Charging connectors for electric vehicles differ not only in shape but also in technical characteristics, communication protocols and regional popularity. GB/T is one of the main charging standards that competes with common solutions such as CCS, CHAdeMO and Tesla NACS.

One of the main differences between GB/T is the use of separate connectors for AC and DC charging. While CCS combines both modes in one connector, GB/T separates them, which optimises the charging process and simplifies the design of the vehicle's electrical systems.

CCS (Combined Charging System) is the dominant standard in Europe and North America. It supports AC and DC charging in a single connector, making it more versatile. In addition, CCS uses high-speed communication between the vehicle and the charging station, which allows for precise control of charging parameters.

CHAdeMO is a Japanese standard that was originally developed for fast DC charging. It has a similar communication system to GB/T and uses the CAN protocol for data exchange. However, CHAdeMO is gradually losing popularity due to the active development of CCS.

Tesla NACS is a proprietary standard used by Tesla in the United States. It is distinguished by its compactness and support for both AC and DC charging. NACS has a high level of integration with the Tesla ecosystem, which makes it convenient for owners of this brand, but incompatible with other standards without adapters.

GB/T has the advantage of supporting high-power DC charging up to 250 kW and providing a stable connection thanks to the use of separate connectors. At the same time, its limited compatibility with other standards without adapters is a major drawback.

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Which socket is used with GB/T

The GB/T uses two separate ports for AC and DC charging. An electric vehicle is fitted with a combined connector that includes both ports. This allows charging from any station that supports the appropriate charging mode.

For AC charging, a standard socket with five main contacts for phase connection and two additional contacts for charging control is used. It is similar in design to the European Type 2, but is not compatible due to differences in the pin layout.

For DC charging, a separate large socket is used, which has powerful contacts for high voltage supply, as well as signal contacts for communication between the vehicle and the charging station.

GB/T charging stations are usually equipped with fixed cables that are connected directly to the vehicle. In the case of AC charging, stations with sockets can also be used, to which the driver plugs in his cable.

Regional use

GB/T is a mandatory standard in China, which means that all electric vehicles sold on the domestic market must support this type of charging. This allows for a unified infrastructure where every EV can be charged at any charging station without compatibility issues.

However, outside of China, GB/T is rarely used. Most other countries are dominated by CCS, CHAdeMO or NACS. Some countries in Southeast Asia are also introducing GB/T, but overall its adoption outside the core market remains limited.

As a result, owners of GB/T electric vehicles travelling outside the country are often forced to use adapters or look for special charging stations that support this standard.

Compatibility with cars

The GB/T connector is used in many electric vehicles, providing full compatibility with charging infrastructure without the need for adapters. The most popular models that support GB/T include:

• Tesla Model 3, Model Y
• BYD Han EV, Tang EV, Yuan Plus
• NIO ES6, ES8, ET7
• XPeng P7, G9
• Volkswagen ID.4, ID.6
• BMW iX3
• Mercedes-Benz EQC

Vehicles exported to markets with other standards usually receive CCS or other charging ports. Imported models with CCS or CHAdeMO connectors can only be charged via GB/T with adapters or modifications to the charging port.

Conclusion.

The GB/T connector is an efficient and modern solution for charging electric vehicles that provides high power and stability of the charging process. Its main advantage is the use of two separate connectors for AC and DC charging, which improves power management and increases safety.

Although GB/T is not directly compatible with other standards, the availability of adapters allows electric vehicles to be connected to different types of charging stations. In the future, with the development of electric transport infrastructure, GB/T may be further integrated with international charging systems.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)