A Type 2 connector is a round plug with one flattened edge at the top and seven pins inside the circle. It is the standard AC charging connector across Europe, met in three places: on a charging cable, as a socket on a wallbox or post, and as the inlet on the car. If the plug is round but smaller, with a latch button on top, that is Type 1 (J1772) — not Type 2.
Key Takeaways
- Type 2 is recognised by its round housing, one flattened top edge and seven pins.
- The same face appears as a cable plug, a socket on a post or wallbox, and the inlet on the car.
- With two extra DC pins below, the same shape becomes CCS2.
- Single-phase and three-phase versions look identical — the rating is read from the label.
The Clues on the Plug Itself
You can identify a Type 2 connector by shape alone, before you read any label:
- The flat top edge. The housing is round except for one straight, flattened section at the top — the quickest recognition clue, and it only fits the socket one way up.
- Seven pins. Inside the circle sit seven contacts: larger power pins in the lower half and smaller pins above them, including the signal pins.
- No latch hook on top. A J1772 plug carries a hook and a push-button. A Type 2 plug has neither — a pin in the car or the post engages a notch in the plug body, which is why it stays locked while charging.
- The same face at every power level. Single-phase and three-phase Type 2 equipment share the identical outline. The rating is read on the label, not seen in the shape.
One Face in Three Places
| Where you see it | What it looks like | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| On a tethered cable | A handled plug with the round seven-pin face, permanently attached | The rating printed on the charger — the shape does not tell you the power |
| As a socket on a post or wallbox | The same round outline as a recessed socket, often behind a flap | You bring your own cable; both ends are Type 2 |
| As the inlet on the car | The matching socket behind the charge flap | A second section below means CCS2 — the DC version on the same top half |
The socket version is why the tethered-versus-socketed choice matters in Europe, as the tethered vs socketed comparison sets out: a socketed unit shows the bare round face and stores no cable, while a tethered unit keeps the plug ready in a holster.
The Plugs It Gets Confused With
- Type 1 (J1772). Also round, but smaller, with five pins and a latch button on top — the home AC connector of North America and Japan. See Type 2 vs J1772 vs NACS compared.
- CCS2. The Type 2 shape with two large extra pins in a section below — the DC fast-charging version of the same family.
- NACS. One small, slim plug with no pin circle at all, much smaller in the hand.
- CHAdeMO. A large round DC-only plug with a chunky body, never used for AC.
- Type 3. An older shuttered socket met in parts of France and Italy, largely replaced by Type 2 and not interchangeable with it.
EVDANCE Chargers With a Type 2 Connector
The EV-ACS3210E 32A Type 2 portable charger is a single-phase unit of about 7 kW, IP66, small enough to carry in the car. The EV-ACT3204PE 22 kW wallbox is a three-phase unit with a tethered Type 2 cable, RFID and app control, IP66 and CE marking. Both present exactly the face described above — once you can recognise the connector, the remaining buying questions are power, cable or socket, and controls, as what a home EV charger looks like explains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Type 2 plug fit a J1772 car?
No. The two are different shapes with different pin layouts, and neither pushes into the other’s inlet. Cars and chargers are built for one or the other by market — the same connector check described in how J1772 works with CCS.
Is Type 2 an AC or a DC connector?
Type 2 itself is the AC connector. When the same top half gains two large DC pins below it, the combined connector is CCS2, used for DC fast charging. The flat-topped round section is identical in both.
Why do some Type 2 cables feel thinner than others?
Because the face is standardised but the wiring behind it is not. A single-phase cable carries fewer conductors than a three-phase one, so it can be slimmer. The rating is printed on the cable — read that, not the thickness.
Related Reading
- Type 2 vs J1772 vs NACS: Which EV Charger Connector Does Your Market Need?
- Tethered vs Socketed Wallbox Chargers: Which Should You Install?
- What Does a Home EV Charger Look Like? Parts and Types Explained
- Does J1772 Work With CCS? CCS Connectors Explained
