The connection cases in the IEC charging standards describe one simple thing: where the charging cable is attached. In Case A the cable is fixed to the vehicle. In Case B it is a separate cable that plugs in at both ends. In Case C it is fixed to the charging station. Almost every home or public AC charger you will meet is Case B or Case C.
Key Takeaways
- The connection case says where the cable lives: on the car (A), loose between socket and car (B), or on the charger (C).
- Cases are not modes: modes describe protection and communication, cases describe the cable.
- A Case B unit may be sold without a cable; a Case C unit’s cable length is fixed at purchase.
The Three Cases at a Glance
| Case | Where the cable lives | What it looks like in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Case A | Attached to the vehicle, with a plug at the supply end | Rare on modern cars; seen on some early EVs and light electric vehicles |
| Case B | A separate, detachable cable | A socket-outlet wallbox or public post, plus your own cable carried in the car |
| Case C | Attached to the charging station | A tethered wallbox at home; DC fast chargers work the same way |
Do not confuse the cases with the charging modes. The modes, explained in our guide to Mode 2 vs Mode 3 charging, describe where the protection and communication sit. The cases describe the cable. They are two different labels from the same standards family, and a spec sheet may quote both. The connector families themselves, such as Type 2 and CCS, are a third question again, covered in our CCS connectors explainer.
Case B: The Socket and Your Own Cable
In Case B, the charging point is a socket outlet and the cable belongs to neither side permanently. You take it from the car, plug one end into the station and the other into the vehicle. Many public AC posts in Europe are built this way, and so are socket-version home wallboxes.
The practical consequences are simple. The cable travels with you, so its length and condition are your choice and your responsibility. A damaged cable can be replaced on its own, without touching the station. The other side of the bargain is that you have to carry it and connect it at both ends, every time.
Case C: The Cable Lives on the Charger
In Case C the cable is permanently attached to the charging equipment. A tethered home wallbox works this way: you unhook the connector, plug it into the car, and hang it back afterwards. DC fast chargers follow the same pattern, because their cable is part of the station equipment.
Here the cable length is fixed when the unit is installed, so it has to reach your charge port from where the box is mounted. Whether a fixed cable or a socket suits a home better is a separate buying decision, covered in our comparison of tethered vs socketed wallbox chargers.
Why the Case Matters When You Buy
The case shows up in listings and datasheets, and it changes what is in the box:
- A Case B wallbox may ship without a cable. Check before you compare prices, or budget for the cable separately.
- A Case C unit’s cable length is part of the product. Measure from the mounting point to the car’s inlet before you order.
- Public networks list the arrangement per site. A socket post means bringing your own cable; a tethered post means using theirs.
EVDANCE sells both arrangements. The EV-ACT3204PE 22 kW wallbox is offered with a Type 2 cable or as a socket version, so the same unit can be bought as Case C or Case B. The EV-ACT5006T 48A Level 2 wall charger comes with its 25 ft cable attached, a Case C layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Case B the same as Mode 2?
No. The mode describes where the protection and control functions sit; the case describes where the cable is attached. A portable charger, for example, is defined by its Mode 2 in-cable control box, whatever cable arrangement it is used with.
Which case is better, B or C?
Neither is better in itself. Case C is convenient at home because the cable is always there. Case B keeps the cable with the car and lets you replace or lengthen it separately. Our tethered vs socketed comparison walks through the choice.
What case is a DC fast charger?
Its cable is permanently attached to the station, so it follows the Case C pattern within the same scheme. The cable is part of the DC equipment and is not interchangeable with an AC cable.
Related Reading
- Mode 2 vs Mode 3 Charging: What IEC 61851 Means for Portable EV Chargers
- Tethered vs Socketed Wallbox Chargers: Which Should You Install?
- Does J1772 Work With CCS? CCS Connectors Explained
- CEE Plugs Explained: Choosing 16A or 32A for a Three-Phase Portable EV Charger
