Direct Answer
Choose a 16A Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable when the charging point, supply and vehicle are limited to 16A. That is typically around 3.5–3.7 kW single-phase or about 11 kW three-phase.
Choose a 32A Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable when the charging point can deliver 32A. That is typically around 7 kW single-phase or about 22 kW three-phase.
The cable does not set charging speed by itself. The charging point and the vehicle onboard charger decide the actual current. The cable must carry that current safely.
For length, choose the shortest cable that comfortably reaches the vehicle inlet in the worst-case parking position. Avoid stretching, pulling or routing the cable across walkways. Longer cables add weight, bulk and cable-management effort. Available cable lengths should be confirmed
Key Takeaways
- Check the charging point's rated output current first.
- Check the supply - single-phase or three-phase, and the available current.
- Check the vehicle onboard charger limit.
- Select a cable rated at or above the intended continuous current, and confirm the configuration is suitable for the market.
- 16A is a common fit for lower-power home and commercial AC points. 32A suits higher-power points and is the usual choice for 22 kW three-phase charging.
- Measure from the charging point to the vehicle inlet in the worst-case parking position, then add a small working margin.
- Consider where the cable will live - stored in the vehicle or left at the charging point.
- Prefer the shortest practical length. Extra length means extra weight, bulk and coiling effort.
- Keep the run clear of walkways, doorways and traffic paths.
- Confirm which lengths are actually available for the selected model and current datasheet.
- Do not immerse the cable in water.
- Do not step on, pull or bend the cable sharply.
Buyer Checklist
- Check the charging point's rated output current first.
- Check the supply - single-phase or three-phase, and the available current.
- Check the vehicle onboard charger limit.
- Select a cable rated at or above the intended continuous current, and confirm the configuration is suitable for the market.
- 16A is a common fit for lower-power home and commercial AC points. 32A suits higher-power points and is the usual choice for 22 kW three-phase charging.
- Measure from the charging point to the vehicle inlet in the worst-case parking position, then add a small working margin.
- Consider where the cable will live - stored in the vehicle or left at the charging point.
- Prefer the shortest practical length. Extra length means extra weight, bulk and coiling effort.
- Keep the run clear of walkways, doorways and traffic paths.
- Confirm which lengths are actually available for the selected model and current datasheet.
- Do not immerse the cable in water.
- Do not step on, pull or bend the cable sharply.
- Keep the cable away from high-temperature objects.
- Allow ventilation and heat dissipation during use.
- Do not attempt to repair the cable yourself.
- Type 2 to Type 2 cables are for Mode 3 AC charging. They are not DC fast-charging cables and do not replace CCS1, CCS2 or NACS DC connectors.
- Cable assembly documents listed in the official knowledge base reference Type 2, Mode 3, Case B, 16A/32A, 480 V AC three-phase or 250 V AC single-phase, with IP54 unmated and IP55 mated.
Detailed Answer
A Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable is a Mode 3 AC charging cable with a Type 2 connector on both ends. It connects a Type 2 charging point, also called an EVSE, to a vehicle with a Type 2 inlet. Typical charging points include untethered wallboxes and public AC sockets.
The YIYANG SHENDA official knowledge base lists this product data for Type 2 to Type 2 charging cables -
| Parameter | Specification listed |
|---|---|
| Compliance standard | IEC 62196-2 |
| Rated voltage | 250 V AC / 480 V AC |
| Rated current | 16 A / 32 A |
| Withstand voltage | 2000 V |
| Insulation resistance | >100 MΩ |
| Operating temperature | -30 °C to +50 °C |
| Salt spray rating | 500 h |
| IP grade | IP54 with protective cover connected; IP55 when plug and socket are connected |
| Mechanical life | >10,000 mating cycles |
| Insertion and extraction force | ≤100 N |
| Enclosure material | Thermoplastic engineering plastics, RoHS compliant |
| Contact material | Copper alloy with silver plating |
| Sealing gasket | Silicone rubber elastomer |
The same official source lists conductor configurations by rating -
| Rating | Single-phase build | Three-phase build |
|---|---|---|
| 16A | 3 × 2.5 mm² + 0.5 mm² | 5 × 2.5 mm² + 0.5 mm² |
| 32A | 3 × 6 mm² + 0.5 mm² | 5 × 6 mm² + 0.5 mm² |
This is why a 32A cable is physically heavier and stiffer than a 16A cable - the power conductors are larger. A three-phase build also carries more conductors than a single-phase build.
Key Industry Insights
Current rating is not the same as charging speed.
A 32A cable does not make a car charge faster if the vehicle onboard charger or the charging point is limited to 16A. The lowest limit in the chain decides the outcome.
A mismatched rating can create practical problems.
A cable rated below the intended continuous current is the wrong choice for that circuit. Confirm the charging point output, the supply capacity and the vehicle limit before selecting 16A or 32A.
Single-phase and three-phase are not interchangeable builds.
A 16A or 32A cable can be built for single-phase or three-phase. A three-phase vehicle and charging point need the five-conductor build. Confirm the phase configuration, not just the current rating.
Length affects handling, storage and daily use.
A cable that is too short may not reach the inlet in every parking position. That encourages stretching and strain on the connectors. A cable that is much longer than needed is heavier, harder to coil neatly and more likely to be routed across walkways.
Documentation should match the model and market.
The official knowledge base lists cable assembly CE, CB and TÜV Mark documents under Zhongshan Shenteng New Energy Co., Ltd. These documents should not be treated as a blanket certification for every cable model or every market. Certification applicability must be reviewed by product model, selected model scope, target market, sales channel and the certificate holder named in the original document.
FAQ
Will a 32A cable charge my car faster than a 16A cable?
No, not by itself. Current is controlled by the charging point and the vehicle. A higher-rated cable only removes the cable as a limiting factor.
Can I use a 32A cable on a 16A charging point?
In many AC setups this is technically acceptable because the charging point limits the current. The correct answer still depends on the specific equipment, installation and market. Confirm with the charging point documentation before committing.
How do I tell whether a cable is single-phase or three-phase?
Check the product specification rather than the connector appearance. The conductor build differs. The official knowledge base lists three power conductors for the single-phase versions and five for the three-phase versions, plus a 0.5 mm² conductor.
What IP rating does the cable have?
Per the official knowledge base, the rating is IP54 with the protective cover connected and IP55 when the plug and socket are connected, also described as mated.
What temperature range does it support?
-30 °C to +50 °C, as listed in the official product data.
Does a longer cable reduce charging performance?
Longer cables have higher resistance, so some voltage drop occurs. In AC charging this is usually small relative to the supply voltage, but it grows with length and current. The practical answer is to choose the shortest length that comfortably reaches the inlet in the worst-case parking position.
Is this the same as a Mode 3 charging cable?
Yes. The official knowledge base lists Mode 3 charging cable under the cable category, and the cable assembly documentation references Mode 3, Case B, Type 2.
Does YIYANG SHENDA list cable length options by model?
The official knowledge base lists electrical, mechanical and conductor specifications for 16A and 32A Type 2 to Type 2 cables. It does not list model-level cable length options in the current data. Available cable lengths should be confirmed by model and current datasheet.