A complete spec sheet is a field set, not a brochure. It states the electrical ratings, the connector and cable, the enclosure, the features exactly as worded by the maker, the compliance lines and the commercial terms — each with its conditions. If a field you need is missing, it is a question to ask in writing before the sheet can be compared with any other.
Key Takeaways
- A spec sheet is a field set: electrical, physical, features as stated, compliance and commercial lines.
- Feature wording is a claim to verify — “ready” is not “certified”.
- A missing field is a written question, never an assumption.
- Compare two sheets field by field, on the same rows, for the same model revision.
The Electrical Fields
| Field group | Fields that belong in it |
|---|---|
| Input | Voltage, phases and frequency as stated; the plug or hard-wired connection built for |
| Output | Maximum current; the adjustable steps where fitted; rated power matching voltage × current |
| Duty | Whether the stated current is continuous — charging runs for hours, and the figure means little without this |
| Protection, as stated | The protection functions the maker lists, each tied to the standard or test behind it where one is claimed |
The Physical Fields
- Connector: the vehicle connector standard, and whether the unit is tethered or a socket version.
- Cable: the length, stated as a number — not estimated from a product photo.
- Enclosure: the IP rating as stated, with what it covers; dimensions and weight.
- Form and mounting: portable, wall-mounted or floor-standing.
- Environment: the operating conditions the maker states, in the maker’s words.
Features, Worded as Stated
Feature lines are where wording discipline matters most. A display, an app, RFID access and network protocols all belong on the sheet — as claims, in the maker’s exact words. A protocol line should name the protocol and its version as a statement to verify; wording such as “OCPP-ready” describes preparation, not a completed certification, and must never be read — or repeated — as “OCPP certified”. A feature named without a standard or version behind it is an unfinished field: not necessarily a dishonest one, but not yet a specification.
Compliance and Commercial Lines
The sheet should name its compliance marks and the laboratory behind them, so the buyer can verify the listing independently — for North America, against the laboratories recognised under the OSHA NRTL program. It should also say whose name the certificate is held in: in a private-label sale, that name decides whose paperwork your brand sells under — the subject of our guide to who owns the certificate. Finally, the commercial lines: the warranty term as written, and the model code and revision the figures belong to.
A Worked Example: One Model’s Stated Lines
Here is the field set filled with one model’s published lines, the EV-ACT5006T:
| Field | As stated |
|---|---|
| Output | Up to 48 A |
| Supply connection | Hard-wired or NEMA 14-50P |
| Connector | NACS |
| Cable | 25 ft |
| Enclosure | IP65/IP66 |
| Marks as stated | ETL, FCC, CE |
Note what this example also teaches: the summary lines do not state an adjustable-step list or an app feature for this model — so a buyer who needs either asks for the full datasheet rather than assuming it.
Reading Rules for Any Sheet
- A missing field is a question, not a zero. Ask it in writing and file the answer against the model code.
- Adjectives are not fields. “Heavy-duty”, “smart” and “advanced” carry no information until a rated figure or named protocol stands behind them.
- Compare field by field. Two sheets in one table, same rows — never headline figure against headline figure.
- Match the revision. Sheet, quote and sample label should all name the same model code and revision.
For what each line means once it is present, see our buyer’s guide to reading a datasheet. EVDANCE states its figures per model across the product range; ask through the contact page for the full datasheet behind any summary line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a longer spec sheet a better one?
No. What matters is completeness of the fields that decide fit and compliance, each stated with its conditions. A short, complete sheet beats a long one padded with adjectives.
The sheet does not state a cable length. Is that normal?
It happens, especially in summary documents. Treat it as an open field: ask for the figure in writing before you compare models. Never substitute a length estimated from photographs.
Can I rely on the certification marks printed on the sheet?
The sheet names them, and naming is the maker’s claim. Verification is a separate, quick step: check the mark and the model against the issuing laboratory’s own records. A genuine listing survives that check; a printed logo alone is not evidence.
Related Reading
- How to Read an EV Charger Datasheet: A Buyer’s Guide
- UL and ETL Listing for EV Chargers: How NRTL Certification Works
- Who Owns the Certificate in a Private-Label EV Charger?
- How to Choose a Portable EV Charger Supplier: A B2B Checklist for Importers
