A CEE plug is the round, pin-and-sleeve industrial connector used across Europe on building sites, farms, campsites and in workshops. For EV drivers it matters because portable chargers are built with CEE plugs to draw serious power from these sockets — 11 kW from a 16-amp three-phase supply, or 22 kW from a 32-amp one — where a normal household socket would give only slow, Level 1 pace charging.
Key Takeaways
- A CEE plug is a round industrial connector: blue for single-phase, red and 5-pin for three-phase.
- Portable chargers use it to draw 11 kW (16 A) or 22 kW (32 A) from three-phase sockets.
- Match the rating, check the socket’s condition, and treat the circuit as a continuous load.
How To Recognise a CEE Socket
CEE connectors (the IEC 60309 family) are chunky round plugs with thick pins and a screw or latch collar. The usual colour convention is simple: blue for single-phase, red for three-phase. The plug and the socket are a matched pair — a 32-amp plug does not fit a 16-amp socket, and the ratings are printed on both.
| Socket | Pins and colour | What a portable EV charger draws |
|---|---|---|
| Single-phase CEE | 3 pins, blue | One phase; output depends on the charger’s rating |
| Three-phase CEE, 16 A | 5 pins, red | 11 kW three-phase (for example the ACS1605PE) |
| Three-phase CEE, 32 A | 5 pins, red | 22 kW three-phase (for example the EV-ACS3205PE) |
| Household socket | Domestic pattern | Slow charging only; not what these chargers are built for |
The CEE plug is the wall end of the cable. The car end on these units is a Type 2 connector — the two ends do different jobs and are not interchangeable terms.
Why EV Drivers Use CEE Sockets
- The sockets are already there. Workshops, farms, depots and many campsites have three-phase CEE outlets installed for machinery.
- Three phases change the pace. At 11 kW or 22 kW, an overnight or working-day stop adds real range, far beyond household-socket speeds (Level 1 is about 1 kW, adding roughly 2–5 miles of range per hour).
- The charger travels with the car. A portable unit lives in the boot and turns any suitable CEE socket into a charging point.
Before You Plug In: Four Checks
- Match the rating. Use only a socket whose amp rating matches your plug — 16 A equipment on a 16 A socket, 32 A on 32 A.
- Judge the socket’s condition. Cracked housings, scorch marks or a loose fit mean do not use it. Fixed industrial wiring that has never been inspected deserves a visit from a licensed electrician first.
- Remember it runs for hours. EV charging draws full current continuously, unlike most machinery that cycles on and off. The circuit must be sized and protected for that duty; if in doubt, ask an electrician.
- Keep water out of the connection. EVDANCE portable units are rated IP66, but the socket itself should be sound, covered where fitted, and off the ground.
EVDANCE Chargers With CEE Plugs
The ACS1605PE is an 11 kW three-phase portable charger with a 16 A CEE 5-pin plug, Type 2 connector, 7.6 m cable and IP66 rating. The EV-ACS3205PE steps up to 22 kW on a 32 A CEE plug, also Type 2 and IP66. Both are built for sites that already have industrial power. If you are choosing cables and connectors more broadly, start with which EV charging cable you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plug a CEE charger into a normal wall socket?
No. The connector is different and the household circuit is not the point of these units. Adapters exist for some equipment, but the socket and circuit decide what is safe — ask a licensed electrician rather than improvising.
Is CEE the same as Type 2?
No. CEE describes the plug that goes into the building’s industrial socket. Type 2 describes the connector that goes into the car. A CEE portable charger has one of each.
Can one charger fit both 16 A and 32 A CEE sockets?
No. The plugs are physically different sizes for each rating. Choose the charger that matches the sockets you actually use, or have an electrician advise on the installation.
Related Reading
- Which EV Charging Cable Do I Need?
- Do Portable EV Chargers Work? How Speed Depends on the Outlet
- Are Portable EV Chargers Worth It? Pros, Cons and Who Should Buy One
