Introduction
The Type 2 standard is the mainstream charging interface for electric vehicles in Europe. Due to its core features of secure communication, standardized connection, and future compatibility, it has been adopted as the legally mandated charging standard across the European Union. Its wide applicability supports single-phase and three-phase AC charging up to 22 kW and is also compatible with DC fast charging exceeding 350 kW.
The Lotus sports car European three-phase AC charging cable extension analyzed here is designed based on this standard. The product features black connectors and a black cable, with a total length of about 6.55 meters. Both ends of the extension cable are equipped with protective covers to resist dust, moisture, and oxidation, enhancing durability.
The extension cable uses Type 2 connectors in accordance with IEC 62196‑2:2016. It supports connection detection, current handshake, current rating identification, status synchronization, capability broadcasting, and safety interruption communication functions. Internally, it is configured for three-phase connections, supports a 32 A charging current, and provides a charging power of 22 kW. The following section presents a teardown of this extension cable to examine its internal construction.
Product Appearance
The charging cable extension consists of a charging plug, a charging socket, and the cable itself.
The plug is equipped with a rubber dust cover for sealing.
The housing is marked with the LOTUS logo.
A rubber sleeve is installed at the cable connection point to resist bending.
Close-up of the charging plug markings:
TYPE IEC TYPE 2 PLUG
MAX: 32A 400V AC 50/60Hz
IP55 (mated) -30°C to +50°C
IEC 62196-2:2016
The plug contains seven pins inside.
The socket housing is also marked with the LOTUS logo.
A rubber sleeve is installed between the housing and the cable to resist bending.
Close-up of the charging socket markings:
TYPE IEC TYPE 2 CONNECTOR
MAX: 32A 400V AC 50/60Hz
IP55 (mated) -30°C to +50°C
IEC 62196-2:2016
Inside, there are also seven corresponding pin sockets.
The cable specification is 5×6 mm² + 1×0.75 mm².
The total length is about 6.55 meters.
The weight is about 7.6 kg (16.76 pounds).
Teardown
Next, let's take it apart to see its internal components and structure.
The charging plug handle is opened along the housing seam, and the wires are secured with cable ties.
The wires are secured with screws and metal clamps.
Close-up of the wiring inside the charging plug: the thin red wire is the CP line, and the thin black wire is the CC line, which connects through an internal switch to the ground wire for connection confirmation.
The thick blue wire is the neutral line, the thick yellow-green striped wire is the ground line, the thick brown wire is the L1 phase, the thick black wire is the L2 phase, and the thick gray wire is the L3 phase, supporting single-phase or three-phase AC power transmission.
The charging socket handle is disassembled.
The wires are secured with cable ties.
They are fastened with screws and clamps.
The socket is removed.
The wiring sequence of the socket is opposite to that of the plug.
The outer sheath of the charging cable is cut open, revealing the internal wires wrapped in cotton paper.
The cable cores are filled with cotton thread and tensile reinforcement material.
Close-up of the cotton thread surrounding the cable cores.
Close-up of the internal cable cores.
The brown L1 phase wire core has an outer diameter of about 4.76 mm.
Close-up of the L1 phase (brown) wire core.
The black L2 phase wire core has an outer diameter of about 4.75 mm.
Close-up of the L2 phase (black) wire core.
The gray L3 phase wire core has an outer diameter of about 4.72 mm.
Close-up of the L3 phase (gray) wire core.
The outer diameter of the blue neutral wire conductor is about 4.65 mm.
Close-up of the neutral wire conductor.
The outer diameter of the yellow-green grounding wire conductor is about 4.7 mm.
Close-up of the grounding wire conductor.
The outer diameter of the red CP wire is about 2.1 mm.
The core of the CP cable includes a reinforced tensile wire for transmitting usable current and charging control signals.
The diameter is about 3.2 mm.
The interior of the filler wire is made of cotton.
Well, those are all components of the Lotus Three-Phase AC Charger Extension Cord.
Summary of ChargerLAB
The entire cable features a black design with a total length of about 6.55 meters. The extension cable uses a Type 2 connector and has an internal three-phase configuration, supporting a charging current of 32 A and a charging power of 22 kW. Both ends of the extension cable are equipped with protective caps on the plugs and sockets to enhance durability.
After taking it apart, we found that it features a straight-through design. The cable specification is 5×6 mm² + 1×0.75 mm², supporting single-phase or three-phase AC charging. The interior of the cable contains cotton paper and cotton threads, along with a tensile-strengthened wire to enhance strength. Both ends are secured with screws and clamping plates, making the extension cable solidly and reliably constructed.
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