Lectron Vortex Plus | The First NACS-CCS Adapter To Gain UL Certification

Lectron simply sent us their upgraded J3400 (NACS) to CCS charge adapter and it's the first DC charging adapter to be UL certified to their brand-new screening standards. The most important of those specifications is this brand-new physical interlock mechanism. All CCS vehicles lock the CCS connector in place when charging, however up till now, CCS adapters have actually not had the ability to lock the NACS port while charging. Sure, there's a mechanical lock, but absolutely nothing prevents you from clicking that lock and pulling the port off. (Side note: pulling the latch DOES break the electrical signal line, which informs the station to stop charging. But if you fast or that switch is broken, you could physically detach while charging is happening.) It's an easy however reliable addition.

The other thing the UL standard addresses is where the thermal switches inside the adapter are put to ensure they do what they are supposed to, and there's a drop-standard consisted of for physical defense. Considering that the connector weighs over a pound, dropping it on concrete or asphalt might damage a less tough CCS latch, so this one is heftier to withstand drops on concrete.

With adapters being a way of life for the foreseeable EV future, it'll be interesting to see if the CCS – NACS adapters that do the reverse will see comparable interlocks, although that might be more complicated in the opposite instructions. If you want to snag one, links in the remark area. (We do not earn commission on any purchases.).

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9 responses to “Lectron Vortex Plus | The First NACS-CCS Adapter To Gain UL Certification”

  1. @james2042 Avatar
    @james2042

    The lock isnt to prevent you from hurting yourself accidently unplugging early, it’s to prevent people from stealing your charger and inadvertently shocking themselves when they rip the cord out.

    1. @EVBuyersGuide Avatar
      @EVBuyersGuide

      Not according to UL…

  2. @FoamCrusher Avatar
    @FoamCrusher

    The key question is, regardless of UL certification, have the EV manufacturers, particularly GM, said they will not void the car’s warranty if there is a charging related issue after using a UL rated adapter?

    GM has said they will not cover damage caused by use of an adapter not authorized by GM.

    I had a minor software issue after using a GM adapter to charge at a Tesla supercharger and the tech questioned which adapter I had used. After saying it was a GM adapter and it was in the car if he wanted to test it, the concern went away. I’m sure the dealer would have charged me for the software fix if I had not used an adapter purchased from GM.

    Your choice, but in trying to save the few additional dollars of the GM adapter over the Lectron, it may end up costing you many times what you thought you were saving.

    1. @EVBuyersGuide Avatar
      @EVBuyersGuide

      It’s the wild west still…

  3. @gregp.7148 Avatar
    @gregp.7148

    Nice! Great improvements.

  4. @autonathan Avatar
    @autonathan

    If I’m not mistaken, the Ford version of Lectron’s adapter had this interlock in place. Possibly the other manufacturer’s versions did the same.

    1. @EVBuyersGuide Avatar
      @EVBuyersGuide

      I suspect that Ford at least helped pay for the development of the updated connector.

  5. @GideonWeissman Avatar
    @GideonWeissman

    Great information, thanks

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