Type 1 (J1772)
EV Charging · 7 specs
Direct Answer
The SAE J1772 Connector (standardized as IEC 62196 Type 1, commonly called the J-Plug) is the standard single-phase AC charging interface for electric vehicles across North America and Japan. Featuring a 5-pin circular plug layout with an integrated mechanical top latch, it delivers Level 1 (120V / 16A / 1.9 kW) and Level 2 (208–240V / up to 80A / 19.2 kW) power.
Source: SAE International Standard J1772_201710 / IEC 62196-2 Type 1 · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Standardization | SAE J1772 / IEC 62196-2 (Type 1) |
| Pin Count & Configuration | 5 pins: Line 1 (L1), Neutral/Line 2 (N/L2), Protective Earth (PE), Control Pilot (CP), Proximity Pilot (PP) |
| AC Phase Support | Single-phase AC only (120V Level 1 or 208-240V Level 2) |
| Maximum Current & Power | Up to 80 A continuous at 240 V AC (19.2 kW theoretical max; typical home EVSE is 32A to 48A / 7.7 to 11.5 kW) |
| Signaling / Communication Protocol | 1 kHz Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) square wave on Control Pilot pin (+12V open, +9V EV detected, +6V charging) |
| Mechanical Latch | Spring-loaded thumb release lever with microswitch on Proximity Pilot (terminates current before mechanical disconnect) |
| Regional Deployment | Standard AC inlet on non-Tesla EVs in North America (pre-2025) and Japan (Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius Prime, Chevy Bolt) |
The Control Pilot PWM Handshake
The Control Pilot (CP) wire provides real-time analog communication between the EVSE (charger) and the vehicle onboard charger. The EVSE generates a 1 kHz ± 12V square wave: the duty cycle dictates the maximum available charging current (e.g. 10% = 6A, 50% = 30A, 80% = 48A). When the car connects, a precision internal resistor drops the pilot voltage to +9V, and closing the car's contactor drops it to +6V, safely commanding the wall unit to energize the high-voltage lines.