Overview - IEC 61980-1:2015 (Electric vehicle WPT systems, Part 1)
IEC 61980-1:2015 specifies the general requirements for electric vehicle wireless power transfer (WPT) systems used to transfer electric energy from the supply network to electric road vehicles. The standard covers WPT equipment intended to supply the vehicle RESS (rechargeable energy storage system) and/or other on‑board electrical systems at standard supply voltages per IEC 60038 - up to 1 000 V a.c. and up to 1 500 V d.c. It also applies to WPT equipment supplied from on‑site storage (e.g., buffer batteries). This edition includes the corrigendum of January 2017 and is intended to be read in conjunction with the broader IEC 61980 series.
Key technical topics and requirements
The standard defines technical and safety requirements for WPT systems, including:
- System classification: transfer technologies, transfer power classes, environmental and installation categories (in‑ground, on‑ground).
- Interoperability: baseline requirements to enable interoperable primary (ground-side) and secondary (vehicle-side) devices.
- Measurement conventions: standardized orientation, parking-space conventions, offsets, and mechanical air gap definitions for consistent testing of efficiency and performance.
- Electrical safety: protection against electric shock, leakage/touch current limits, insulation resistance, dielectric withstand (including impulse testing), fault protection and earthing tests.
- Thermal & mechanical protection: temperature rise limits, surface temperature of accessible parts, protection from thermal incidents, mechanical strength, vehicle drive‑over and impact requirements.
- EMC and immunity: electromagnetic compatibility limits and immunity testing to ensure WPT systems do not interfere with other equipment.
- Communication requirements: command/control and high‑level communications between primary and secondary devices for safe charging control and interoperability.
- Construction & materials: clearance/creepage, breaking capacity of switching devices, resistance to corrosion, UV, tracking and fire (glow wire) tests.
- Service and test conditions: environmental tests (temperature, humidity, altitude), vibration, transport/storage and outdoor exposure criteria.
- Marking and instructions: required labels, legibility and user information for safe installation and operation.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
IEC 61980-1 is essential for stakeholders involved in deploying and certifying EV wireless charging infrastructure:
- EV OEMs and vehicle electrical system designers (secondary device requirements)
- WPT hardware manufacturers and charge point vendors (primary device and system design)
- System integrators, installers and site planners (installation classes, environmental conditions)
- Test laboratories and certification bodies (performance, safety, EMC testing)
- Regulators, municipalities and fleet operators planning EV infrastructure
- R&D teams developing interoperable wireless charging technologies
Related standards
- IEC 61980 series (other parts addressing specific WPT aspects)
- IEC 60038 (standard supply voltages referenced in scope)
For complete compliance, procurement and certification activities, consult the full IEC 61980-1:2015 publication and associated parts of the IEC 61980 series.