Phoenix Contact unveils 500 kW charging cable for North America

Since Tesla made its former Supercharger charging plug available for wider use, now known as NACS or North American Charging Standard, this system has rapidly become the market standard in North America. Since the end of 2023, it has also been certified as the North American automotive standard under the designation SAE J3400.

Almost two years ago, Phoenix Contact announced that the first NACS charging cables would be available by the end of 2024, with its product range gradually expanding. However, the company delivered ahead of schedule. As early as summer 2024, the specialist in electromobility charging technology introduced SAE-compliant and UL-certified NACS charging cables for AC currents of 50 and 80 amperes. The company is now expanding its portfolio to include CCS Type 1 and NACS charging cables that support DC fast charging at up to 500 kW.

According to Phoenix Contact, the NACS DC charging cables in the CHARX connect professional series feature an ergonomically designed plug with a separate handle, enabling safe and comfortable handling while providing thermal decoupling from heated surfaces. The cables comply with the SAE J3400 and UL 2251 standards. They are rated for 1,000 volts and can deliver charging power of up to 500 kW in Boost Mode and 375 kW continuously.

The CCS Type 1 charging cables, designed in the typical Phoenix Contact style, use increased conductor cross-sections to enable charging power of up to 500 kW in Boost Mode, as well as continuous currents of 200 A or 375 A without liquid cooling. At 1,000 volts, this corresponds to 200 kW or 375 kW, respectively. For reliable electrical safety, the cables are equipped with a two-chamber sealing system that separates the DC+ and DC- lines, preventing moisture from entering safety-critical areas. The 375 A variants also feature integrated four-conductor measurement technology for legally compliant energy metering.

The cable structure of the CCS Type 1 charging cables is identical to that of the NACS charging cables. This is intended to provide vehicle and charging infrastructure manufacturers with high platform compatibility and simplified engineering processes.

However, these products are not the only ones on offer. “Phoenix Contact’s development teams are working daily on further product innovations for the North American Charging Standard,” the company stated. The portfolio is set to expand by the end of 2026 to include liquid-cooled NACS charging cables for DC charging at over 600 A.

phoenixcontact.com (in German)