Please note: All interim revisions for this edition available at time of your purchase will be included.

This Third Edition of the Standard for Plugs, Receptacles, and Couplers for Electric Vehicles, UL 2251, is being issued as a Trinational Standard with ANCE and CSA.

Plugs, Receptacles and Couplers for Electric Vehicles

UL 2251

1 Scope

1.1 These requirements cover plugs, receptacles, vehicle inlets, vehicle connectors, and breakaway couplings, rated up to 800 amperes and up to 600 volts ac or dc, intended for conductive connection systems, for use with electric vehicles in accordance with National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70 for either indoor or outdoor nonhazardous locations.

1.2 This standard does not directly apply to the following:

a) Devices produced integrally with flexible cord or cable that are covered by the Standard for Cord Sets and Power-Supply Cords, UL 817;

b) Devices solely intended for direct connection to the branch circuit in accordance with Articles 300, 400 and 410 of the NEC such as attachment plugs, cord connectors and receptacles, which can include 3 or more pilot contacts, that are covered by the Standard for Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, UL 498;

c) Single and multi-pole connectors, intended for connection to copper conductors, for use in data, signal, control and power applications within and between electrical equipment, where exposed, for use in accordance with the National Electrical Code, that are covered by the Standard for Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, UL 498;

d) Devices of the pin and sleeve type construction, intended to provide power from branch circuits to utilization equipment, or for direct connection of utilization equipment to the branch circuit, that are covered by the Standard for Plugs, Receptacles, and Cable Connectors of the Pin and Sleeve Type, UL 1682;

e) Devices intended for use in hazardous locations that are covered by the Standard for Receptacle-Plug Combinations for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations, UL 1010;

f) Devices consisting of wiring terminals and supporting blocks intended for the connection of wiring that are covered by the Standard for Terminal Blocks, UL 1059;

g) Devices such as modular jacks and plugs that are intended for use with telecommunications networks, that are covered by the Standard for Telephone Equipment, UL 1459, and the Standard for Communications Circuit Accessories, UL 1863;

h) Devices such as wire connectors and soldering lugs, that are covered by the Standards for Wire Connectors, UL 486A-486B; Splicing Wire Connectors, UL 486C; or Equipment Wiring Terminals for Use with Aluminum and/or Copper Conductors, UL 486E;

i) Devices such as quick-connect terminals that are covered by the Standard for Electrical Quick-Connect Terminals, UL 310;

j) Products such as power outlet assemblies that are covered by the Standard for Power Outlets, UL 231;

k) Products such as switched interlocks that are covered by the Standard for Industrial Control Equipment, UL 508.

1.3 In the text of this standard, the term “device” refers to any product covered by this standard. The letters “EV” refer to an electric vehicle, including plug-in hybrid vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and similar vehicles.