NACS (North American Charging Standard) Connector: A complete overview

The NACS (North American Charging Standard) is a charging connector developed by Tesla that is gradually becoming the mainstream standard for charging electric vehicles in North America. It is growing in popularity due to its versatile design and high efficiency, as it combines both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging capabilities in one connector. The NACS connector is widely used in Tesla Supercharger charging stations, and since 2023, the company has opened up the standard for use by other manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Rivian and others.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

NACS simplifies the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, making the charging process more convenient for users. Thanks to this standard, more electric vehicles can be charged at the same charging station, reducing the need for separate chargers for each vehicle brand. As the number of EVs using NACS increases, this standard has the potential to become dominant in North America, replacing other formats such as CCS.

What is NACS?

NACS (North American Charging Standard) is a charging standard for electric vehicles developed by Tesla. It combines the benefits of alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging in one compact connector, making it universal for use at a variety of charging stations. This standard was created by Tesla before the widespread adoption of CCS in North America, and in the initial stages was only available for Tesla vehicles. However, since 2022, the company has opened up NACS specifications to other automakers, making it available to more electric vehicles.

Thanks to its simple design and the ability to connect to charging stations without the need for adapters, NACS offers reliability and ease of use. It also supports fast charging, which is an important factor for electric vehicle owners who need to top up their charge quickly in time-sensitive environments.

Technical specifications

The key technical features of the NACS enable fast charging even at relatively low power levels, while maintaining high efficiency and safety. This connector is capable of handling high currents and voltages, which allows for powerful charging results. In particular, Supercharger V3 stations using NACS can achieve charging with a power output of up to 250 kW. This enables the 80% to be charged in less than 30 minutes, making it extremely convenient for EV owners.

Here are the main technical parameters that determine the effectiveness and capabilities of this standard:

• Support for two types of current: NACS supports both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging. This allows you to use the same connector for both types of charging, which simplifies the charging process.
• Maximum voltage: The NACS supports charging at up to 500 V for DC and up to 1000 V for fast charging, making it versatile for different types of electric vehicles.
• Maximum charging power: The NACS connector is capable of delivering up to 250 kW at Tesla Supercharger V3 stations. This allows the 80% to be charged in less than 30 minutes, making the charging process significantly faster than at conventional charging stations.
• Compatible with Tesla Supercharger network: NACS maintains the Tesla Supercharger charging infrastructure, allowing owners of Tesla and other brands of vehicles to use one of the largest and most efficient charging station networks in North America.

How does NACS work?

The NACS process is simple and efficient thanks to its integration with smart charging systems. Here's how it works:

Connecting to a charging station

The user connects the NACS cable to their electric vehicle. The connection is made via a standard connector with a compact design. The process is simple and convenient, as the user can connect the cable with one hand and it automatically locks into place.

Communication through control pilots

Once the cable is connected, data is exchanged between the charging station and the vehicle via the CP (Control Pilot) pin. This pin is responsible for monitoring and controlling the charging process. It determines the power that can be delivered depending on the vehicle's battery level and the permitted parameters.

Electricity transmission

After the pilot confirms that the connection is safe and correct, the power is transferred via the L1 (AC) or L2 (DC) contacts. For DC charging, DC+ and DC- ensure that the power is transferred to the battery.

Connecting to the ground

Pin G (Ground) ensures that charging is safe. It provides a path for current leakage, ensuring proper grounding and protection against electric shock.

Finish charging and switch off

When charging is complete, the system detects via the PP (Proximity Pilot) contact that it is safe to disconnect the cable. If the user wants to remove the cable earlier, they can do so by removing it after the charging cycle is complete or after confirmation from the station that it is ready to be disconnected.

Intelligent monitoring

During charging, the vehicle and the charging station constantly exchange data to optimise the process. This includes monitoring voltage, power and temperature to ensure a safe, stable and efficient charging process.

Detailed pinout diagram

The NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector includes five main contacts that ensure safe and efficient charging of electric vehicles. Each pin performs its own function, allowing the vehicle to be charged with AC or DC current, and also supports communication between the charging station and the vehicle for an optimal charging process.

The NACS connector has been designed with safety in mind, so the contacts have a special arrangement and locking mechanisms to prevent accidental disconnection of the cable during charging. Below is a detailed diagram of the NACS contacts and their functions:

• L1 (Phase 1 for AC or positive contact for DC): This pin is responsible for transferring electrical energy during alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) charging. In the case of DC charging, this contact transmits the positive pole.
• L2 (Phase 2 for AC or negative contact for DC): The L2 contact is used to transfer electrical energy in the case of AC charging, where it serves as the neutral contact wire. For DC charging, this contact transmits the negative pole (DC).
• G (Ground): The grounding contact is crucial for safety. It is designed to protect against electric shock by providing a path for potential current leakage that may occur due to a faulty or damaged connector or cable.
• CP (Control Pilot): The Control Pilot contact is one of the main contacts responsible for communication between the charging station and the vehicle. It determines how much power can be delivered during charging, as well as controlling the charging process, monitoring the temperature and shutting down in the event of any malfunctions.
• PP (Proximity Pilot): This pin is used to detect the physical connection of the connector to the vehicle's charging port. It ensures that the cable is safely disconnected when the charging process is complete and prevents accidental disconnection during charging.

ECOFACTOR: Innovative solutions for environmentally friendly charging of electric vehicles

About the company ECOFACTOR We focus on developing advanced charging solutions for electric vehicles that combine high efficiency with a reduced environmental impact. Our goal is to reduce energy consumption, accelerate the charging process and extend battery life. We offer charging stationsThe company's products meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency, providing convenience and reliability for users.

In addition to the main charging stations, we also offer cables and adaptersWe offer European-standard charging points that ensure reliable connectivity in all conditions. Tesla Model 3 owners can take advantage of our intelligent solutions to monitor and optimise energy consumption, enabling fast and stable charging.

We are constantly improving our technology by integrating the latest developments to ensure an even more cost-effective and convenient charging experience. Here's how our innovative solutions help:

• Reduce energy costs ECOFACTOR technologies significantly reduce energy consumption, which helps to reduce the cost of charging electric vehicles.
• Improve charging efficiency: We use special algorithms to minimise energy losses, which allows us to fully utilise the power provided for charging.
• Manage charging via a mobile app: Our systems allow drivers to control the entire charging process through mobile application, available for iOS і Android. This makes it possible to monitor the charge level, choose the best time to charge, and get full analytics of energy consumption.
• Contribute to the preservation of the environment: ECOFACTOR charging stations contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions and help to integrate clean energy into our infrastructure.

Choosing solutions from ECOFACTOR - is an investment not only in convenience but also in sustainable development. Our technologies help to save energy and provide maximum comfort for users.

We are actively expanding our network of charging stations, providing access to maps of charging stationsto help drivers find the nearest fast and safe charging points across the country.

Compatibility and adapters

The NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector has become the standard for Tesla and a number of other electric vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors and Rivian, increasing its versatility and availability. With the opening up of specifications to other companies, NACS could eventually become the main standard for charging electric vehicles in North America.

However, although NACS is already popular in the US, not all charging stations and electric vehicles support this standard. Therefore, adapters may be required to use charging stations with different connectors. Adapters allow users with vehicles with other types of connectors (e.g. CCS or CHAdeMO) to connect to stations that use NACS.

The main adapters used with NACS:

• CCS1 to NACS adapter: This adapter allows vehicles that have a CCS1 connector to connect to NACS charging stations. This adapter is useful for those who use vehicles from other manufacturers but want to charge at Tesla Supercharger stations that currently use NACS.
• CHAdeMO to NACS adapter: As CHAdeMO is an older standard, support for it is gradually decreasing. However, for some users, this adapter is still essential to connect to charging stations that use NACS.
• Type 2 to NACS adapter: In Europe, many charging stations use the Type 2 standard. For vehicles with a Type 2 connector, a special adapter is required to connect to the NACS network. This adapter allows for compatibility between different charging standards in different regions.

The availability of adapters allows owners of vehicles with other connector types to charge on networks that use NACS. This is particularly important to ensure the versatility of the growing charging infrastructure, allowing users to charge at different charging stations without the need for multiple connectors.

Why is NACS replacing CCS in North America?

NACS (North American Charging Standard) is gradually replacing CCS in North America due to several key factors. One of the main reasons is the existing Tesla Supercharger infrastructure that uses this standard. The Supercharger network is one of the largest in the region, giving Tesla a significant advantage.

NACS also supports both AC and DC charging in a single connector, making it more convenient and compact, unlike CCS, which requires separate contacts for each type of current. Since 2022, Tesla has opened up the standard to other manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors and Rivian, ensuring that NACS is versatile and easy to use across many brands of electric vehicles.

Another advantage is the fast charging at Supercharger stations, where NACS supports up to 250 kW of power, allowing the 80% to be charged in less than 30 minutes. Thanks to these factors, NACS is becoming the mainstream standard for EV charging in North America.

Comparison with other connectors

NACS (North American Charging Standard) has several significant advantages that make it an attractive choice over other popular charging standards such as CCS and CHAdeMO. The main differences between NACS and other connectors are in design, functionality and charging speed.

One of the main advantages of NACS is its compactness. The NACS connector is significantly smaller than the CCS, which makes it easier to use and allows you to charge your electric vehicle with minimal physical effort. In addition, the NACS connector combines alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging capabilities in one connector, whereas the CCS connector uses separate contacts for these types of current. This simplifies the charging infrastructure by reducing the number of cables and stations required.

In terms of charging speed, NACS also has an advantage. The connector supports high power levels of up to 250 kW at Tesla Supercharger stations, which allows the 80% to be charged in less than 30 minutes. Compared to the CCS, which has a maximum power output of 200 kW, the NACS reduces charging time, which is an important factor for drivers who need to top up quickly.

When it comes to compatibility, NACS benefits from its flexibility. It is widely used at Tesla Supercharger stations, which is one of the largest and most efficient charging networks in North America. In 2023, Tesla began opening its stations to other automakers that also use NACS or adapters. While CCS has become the main standard for charging in Europe, NACS is still the leader in the US and Canada, providing the greatest availability for drivers.

Thus, NACS combines compactness, charging speed, versatility and high efficiency, making it a more convenient and promising standard for North America compared to other connectors such as CCS or CHAdeMO.

Which socket outlet is used with the CCS2?

The NACS (North American Charging Standard) connector uses a specially designed socket that supports both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) charging. This allows for versatility and convenience, as drivers can use the same charging station network for different types of charging without the need for additional adapters or devices.

The NACS socket is compact, making cable connection convenient and easy. The automatic locking mechanism keeps the cable securely locked during charging, preventing accidental disconnection or loss of connection even at high currents.

This standard has become the main one for charging Tesla electric vehicles and has also been adopted by other major automakers such as Ford, General Motors and Rivian, which use NACS for their new models. The NACS socket supports high charging power of up to 250 kW at Tesla Supercharger stations, which allows you to charge a car up to 80% in less than 30 minutes. With this charging speed and ease of connection, this connector is quickly gaining popularity among electric vehicle users in North America.

Regional application of NACS

NACS (North American Charging Standard) is the main charging standard in North America, where Tesla has one of the largest networks of Supercharger charging stations supporting this standard. Thanks to its versatility and ability to work with both types of current (AC and DC), NACS is gradually replacing other standards, including CCS1, in the US and Canada.

Tesla has opened up its standard to other automakers such as Ford, General Motors and Rivian, allowing not only Tesla but also other electric vehicles to be charged at Supercharger stations. This significantly increases the availability of charging infrastructure for more electric vehicle drivers.

In Europe, the situation is different: CCS2 is a mandatory standard here, so Tesla uses this connector for its cars at European charging stations. However, with the growing popularity of NACS and its opening up to other manufacturers, there is a possibility that in the future this standard may spread to other regions, including Europe and other countries where Tesla actively sells its cars.

Compatibility with cars

The NACS (North American Charging Standard) was developed to be compatible with Tesla vehicles such as the Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y that use this connector for charging. With a network of NACS-compliant Tesla Supercharger stations, owners of these vehicles have access to one of the largest and fastest charging infrastructures in North America.

In 2023, Tesla began to open up its standard to other automakers. Large companies such as Ford, General Motors, Rivian and Volvo have announced that their new models will support NACS or have the ability to charge via adapters that allow them to use the Supercharger network. This increases the availability and convenience of charging for drivers of different brands of electric vehicles.

Here is a list of the most popular NACS-compatible cars:

• Tesla Model S
• Tesla Model 3
• Tesla Model X
• Tesla Model Y
• Ford F-150 Lightning
• Rivian R1T
• Chevrolet Bolt EV
• General Motors Chevrolet Silverado EV
• Volvo XC40 Recharge

Conclusion.

The NACS (North American Charging Standard) has become an important charging standard in North America due to its versatility, charging speed and ease of use. This standard combines both AC and DC charging in a single connector, making it ideal for a variety of electric vehicle types. Thanks to the powerful NACS-compliant Supercharger stations, high-power charging (up to 250 kW) is now available, significantly reducing charging times compared to other standards.

With the opening up of NACS specifications to other automakers such as Ford, General Motors, Rivian and Volvo, the standard is becoming more widespread. This allows drivers of different brands of electric vehicles to use the same charging network, making NACS versatile and future-proof for the development of charging infrastructure.

NACS has the potential to become the main standard for charging electric vehicles in North America and may gradually expand to other regions of the world, offering drivers convenience, speed and efficiency in the charging process.

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