What Is an OBC

An Onboard Charger (OBC) is an invaluable power electronics device found in Electric Vehicles (EVs). It is designed to convert AC power from an external source, such as a household outlet, into DC power in order to charge the battery pack. The OBC is equipped with the capacity to identify the proper charging standard and output based on information received from either the vehicle controller or the EV supply equipment (EVSE) controller.

There are two main kinds of Onboard Chargers: single-phase and three-phase. Single-phase OBCs range from 7.2 kW to 11 kW in power capacity, whereas a three-phase OBC is rated for up to 22 kW. Additionally, the features of an OBC may vary depending on the kind of vehicle and charging station for which it is designed. Nevertheless, most Onboard Chargers feature the same key elements. This includes power capacity, charging modes, and communication capabilities.

Onboard Chargers are typically equipped with a power capacity ranging from 3 kW to 22 kW. This determines how quickly a battery can be charged. Furthermore, certain models support the use of constant current, constant voltage, or a combination of the two, while more advanced OBCs are even capable of fast-charging the battery up to 80% in 30 minutes. OBCs also feature communication protocols such as CAN bus which allow it to connect with the battery management system as well as the charging station. In addition, OBCs may also facilitate bidirectional charging by converting DC power from the battery pack to AC power for other uses such as Vehicle to Load (V2L) and Vehicle to Grid (V2G).

For safety purposes, Onboard Chargers incorporate several safety features. This includes power shut-off if the load exceeds the operating limits and electrical insulation between the external and internal components to reduce the risk of electrical failure. Moreover, an OBC acts as a gateway for data to travel between the vehicle and the grid, thus, making a secure connection is of utmost importance.

Landworld provides different types of OBCs that meet numerous automotive-grade data and charging standards, offering both performance and functional safety along with the power needed for effective operation.