You’ve found it. The perfect charging spot at the campsite, the workshop, maybe even your own garage. But then you see it: that chunky blue industrial plug staring back at you like it belongs on a construction site, not near your shiny EV. Your stomach drops a little. Is this even for you?
I get it. You’ve probably spent hours drowning in product pages written like engineering textbooks, scrolling through forum threads where people argue about things you didn’t even know existed, and clicking away from guides that assume you already have a degree in electrical systems. The whole thing feels needlessly complicated.
Here’s the truth most guides bury under mountains of jargon: that intimidating industrial plug is actually your ticket to dead-simple, powerful charging. No app to download. No subscription to manage. No Wi-Fi connection to troubleshoot at midnight. Just plug in and go.
We’re going to cut through the noise together. I’ll show you exactly what you’re buying, what it can do, and how to pick one you can trust using real numbers and zero technical waffle. By the end, you’ll understand why this might be the smartest charging decision you make.
Keynote: EV Charging Cable Type 2 to 32a Commando
The Type 2 to 32A Commando charging cable represents a robust, portable Level 2 EV charging solution delivering 7.4kW power through IEC 60309 industrial sockets. It combines universal Type 2 vehicle compatibility with weatherproof Commando reliability. Critical features include IC-CPD safety protection, thermal management, and IP-rated construction. Professional installation of a dedicated 32A socket circuit by qualified electricians ensures BS 7671 compliance.
This solution suits UK EV owners seeking wallbox-equivalent charging speeds without permanent infrastructure, particularly for rental properties, multiple locations, or destinations with existing industrial power outlets.
The Reality Check: You’re Not Buying a Cable, You’re Buying a Safety-Certified Charging Station
Let’s kill the biggest myth right now. You cannot just buy a “dumb adapter cable” and call it a day.
Here’s what’s actually inside: a Type 2 to 32A Commando solution is a portable EVSE (that’s Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, but let’s just call it a charging station). It has built-in safety brains that talk to your car through something called a Control Pilot signal. Without that conversation happening, your car won’t charge. Period.
Think of it like this. It’s the bouncer standing between raw industrial power and your expensive car battery, making sure voltage is right, current is safe, and nothing goes sideways during the hours your car is plugged in.
Why does the confusion persist? In photos, it looks like a simple cable with a box in the middle. But the electronics doing the heavy lifting are tucked inside that in-line box. That unassuming housing contains an In-Cable Control and Protection Device (IC-CPD) that’s constantly monitoring the charging session, ready to shut everything down in milliseconds if something goes wrong.
You’re not buying a cable. You’re buying portable Level 2 charging infrastructure that happens to have a cable attached.
Decoding the Plugs: What Type 2 and 32A Commando Actually Mean
The Type 2 Side: Your Car’s Universal Language
This is the easy part. Type 2 (officially IEC 62196-2, but nobody calls it that) is the standard AC charging connector for virtually all modern EVs sold in Europe. Tesla, VW, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, you name it. If your car was sold in the UK after about 2018, it has a Type 2 socket.
That seven-pin connector handles both the power delivery and the critical safety communication your car needs. Two small pins at the top manage the Control Pilot and Proximity Pilot signals. These tell your car how much current is available, confirm the cable is properly connected, and lock the plug in place while charging. It’s elegant, it’s universal, and it just works.
The Blue Commando Side: Industrial Power Made Simple
Now the other end. That blue chunky plug is an IEC 60309 connector, commonly called a Commando or CEE socket. You see these on construction sites, in marinas, at caravan parks, anywhere people need reliable, high-power outdoor electricity.
The blue color tells you it’s single-phase, 230V power. The 32A rating means it can safely carry 32 amps continuously without breaking a sweat. The plug is physically bigger than the 16A version (more on that later), so you can’t accidentally plug it into an undersized socket.
Here’s why this matters: unlike your standard 13A domestic socket that maxes out around 2.3kW, a 32A Commando socket can deliver up to 7.4kW of charging power. That’s the same power level as most dedicated home EV chargers, but without the permanent installation, the smart features you might not need, or the eye-watering price tag.
Let’s end the debate once and for all:
| Feature | Type 2 (Vehicle Side) | 32A Commando (Supply Side) |
|---|---|---|
| Official Name | IEC 62196-2 | IEC 60309 Blue 32A |
| Configuration | 7 pins with CP/PP signals | Single-phase, 2P+E, keyed at 6h |
| Voltage | AC charging standard | 200-250V |
| Built For | Vehicle charging ports | Outdoor/industrial environments |
That blue 32A plug is designed to deliver serious, reliable power in tough conditions. Rain, dust, years of repeated use. It’s built like industrial equipment because it is industrial equipment. And that’s exactly why it’s perfect for EV charging.
The One Number That Changes Everything: How Fast Is 32A, Really?
Let’s talk actual charging speeds because this is where it gets exciting.
32A at 230V delivers approximately 7.4kW of charging power on a typical UK home single-phase supply. What does that mean in real terms? You’re looking at 20 to 30 miles of range added per hour of charging, depending on your specific car and how efficiently it charges.
Compare that to a standard 3-pin plug delivering 2.3kW. That’s only 8 to 10 miles per hour. The difference is night and day.
| Charging Method | Typical Power | Miles per Hour | The Real Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Pin Plug | 2.3kW | ~8-10 miles | “I have all night… and tomorrow.” |
| Type 2 to 32A Commando | 7.4kW | ~25-30 miles | “Simple, robust, and reliably fast.” |
| Smart Wallbox | 7-22kW | 25-70+ miles | “The connected, premium experience.” |
Translation for your brain: this is perfect for overnight charging at home or topping up at a destination. You plug in when you arrive somewhere, do your thing, and come back to a properly charged car. It’s not trying to be a DC fast charger substitute, and that’s completely okay. This is your reliable workhorse for everyday charging situations.
For a typical EV with a 60kWh battery, you’re looking at a full charge in roughly 8 to 9 hours from empty. But here’s the thing: you’re rarely charging from completely empty. Most nights you’re just topping up what you used that day, which means you’re done in 2 to 3 hours.
Where This Cable Becomes Your Secret Weapon
It’s all about unlocking charging freedom without the cost and permanence of a wallbox installation. You can now access a full 7.4kW charge (the same power as most dedicated home chargers) in places you’d never expect.
Where you’ll actually find these blue sockets:
Campsites and caravan parks: This is a massive win for EV-owning holidaymakers. Many sites have 32A Commando hook-ups for touring caravans. With this cable, those same sockets become your charging infrastructure. You’re no longer limited to sites with dedicated EV chargers.
Marinas and boatyards: If you’re spending a weekend by the water, these sockets are everywhere for boat power. Your charging problem just solved itself.
Workshops, farms, and industrial units: Power tools need serious electricity. So does your car. If you work somewhere with a 32A socket, you’ve got workplace charging sorted without asking the boss to install a £1,200 wallbox.
Exhibition centres and event spaces: Trade shows, conventions, outdoor markets. Any venue with temporary power setups likely has Commando sockets. Turn downtime into charge time.
Relative’s homes with outdoor power: Suddenly Grandma’s house with that blue socket in the garage becomes an EV-friendly destination. No awkward conversations about running extension cords through windows.
The liberating feeling: you’re no longer hunting for “proper” EV chargers or meticulously planning routes around charging anxiety. You start noticing these blue sockets everywhere, and every one of them becomes a potential charging opportunity. That’s the freedom this simple cable delivers.
Safety First: The Stuff That Keeps Your Car (and You) Protected
Why the Boring Technical Bits Actually Matter
Your EV cost serious money. The safety features inside a proper EVSE are what stand between a smooth charge and a very expensive insurance claim. This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about understanding what you’re paying for and why the cheap, uncertified options are a terrible idea.
The Non-Negotiable Safety Checklist
When you’re shopping for a Type 2 to 32A Commando cable, these are the features that separate quality products from dangerous ones:
| Safety Feature | What It Actually Does for You |
|---|---|
| Type A/F RCD with 6mA DC Detection (or Type B RCD) | Protects against electric shock. Required by BS 7671 for all EV charging points. |
| Open-PEN Protection (OPDD) | Critical if you’re on a PME supply and charging outdoors. Prevents earth-loss shock risk. Look for IET-01 (2024) compliance. |
| IP Rating (IP44 minimum, IP55+ ideal) | Weather resistance. IP44 handles splashes; IP55+ handles proper rain and dust. |
| CE or UKCA Mark | It’s been tested and is legal and safe to sell and use in the UK/EU. |
| Thermal Protection | Prevents overheating. The cable should stay cool even during long 7+ hour charges. |
Here’s something most guides won’t tell you: if a product listing is suspiciously cheap or vague about these certifications, walk away. There are products out there cutting corners on safety to hit a lower price point. Your car, your home, and your family aren’t worth saving £50 on an inferior product.
Look for suppliers who spell out these certifications clearly. Bonus points if they mention TÜV Rheinland testing or similar independent third-party verification. The CE mark alone is just a manufacturer’s self-declaration. Independent testing from TÜV means someone actually checked that the thing works safely under real-world stress conditions.
Bottom line: buy from reputable suppliers who are transparent about safety specifications. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Your No-Sweat Guide to Picking the Right One
Get the Length Right
A standard 5m cable gives you good reach without wrestling a heavy coil every time you want to charge. It’ll comfortably handle most driveways and parking situations.
If your parking spot is awkward or you’ve got a long driveway, consider 7 to 8 meters, but know it’ll be heavier to handle and more expensive. Only go longer if you genuinely need it. Nobody wants to be lugging around extra weight for no reason.
Future-Proof the Amp Rating
Here’s the truth that’ll save you money down the line: even if your current car only draws 16A, getting a 32A-rated cable is the smart move.
It’s thicker, more robust, and stays cooler under load. More importantly, it means you won’t need to buy another cable when you upgrade to your next EV that can pull the full 32A. Think of it as buying the tool once, properly, rather than buying twice because you went cheap the first time.
Thicker cable (you’ll see this as a lower AWG number, like 10 AWG vs 14 AWG) equals safer operation for years of use. Heat is the enemy of electrical equipment. A cable running cooler will last longer and maintain its safety characteristics.
Watch Out for the #1 Mistake: 16A vs. 32A Plugs
There is another blue Commando plug: the 16A version. It looks almost identical at a glance, but the pins are smaller in diameter and it will NOT fit into a 32A socket. The physical keying prevents mismating.
This is where people get confused and frustrated. They buy a cable, try to plug it in, and it doesn’t fit. Then they assume they’ve got the wrong type of socket entirely, when actually they’ve just got mismatched amperage ratings.
Your first step before buying anything: take a photo of the socket you plan to use and check if it says “16A” or “32A” stamped right on the plug face or socket surround. Once you know that number, you know exactly what to search for.
If you’re installing a new socket (which we’ll talk about next), specify 32A. It’s the better long-term investment.
The “Smart Cable” Bridge Option
Here’s a surprising detail: you can even get “smart” Commando cables like the Ohme Go that add scheduling, app control, and usage tracking to this socket-based setup.
This blends the simplicity and portability of a Commando solution with the modern perks of a connected wallbox. You get to take advantage of cheap overnight electricity tariffs by scheduling charging to start at midnight, and you can still unplug the whole unit and take it with you when you move house or go on holiday.
It’s not for everyone. If you love the idea of never needing an app or worrying about Wi-Fi connectivity, stick with the basic versions. But if you want that middle ground, it exists.
The Installation Reality: What It Actually Takes to Get Charging
This Is NOT a DIY Job
Let’s be direct. Installing a dedicated 32A Commando socket circuit requires a qualified electrician to ensure it’s safe and complies with BS 7671 wiring regulations. This is not the place to “have a go” or try to save money by doing it yourself unless you’re already a certified electrician.
The socket itself may be inexpensive, but getting it installed correctly involves running a dedicated radial circuit from your consumer unit with appropriate circuit protection, correctly sized cabling (typically 6mm² for a 32A circuit), and potentially additional safety devices depending on your earthing system.
Getting it wrong can result in fire risk, electric shock hazards, damage to your expensive EV, or your home insurance being invalidated if something goes wrong. Just don’t.
The Cost Reality Check
With materials and labor, you’re realistically looking at £250 to £400 for a professional installation of a 32A Commando socket by a qualified electrician.
That might feel like a lot when you see the socket itself costs £15 to £30. But you’re paying for:
- A dedicated circuit run from your consumer unit to the new socket location
- Correctly rated RCBO protection (residual current breaker with overcurrent)
- Properly sized cable throughout
- Safe, code-compliant installation
- Testing and certification of the work
- Possibly PEN fault protection equipment if required
Here’s the perspective shift: that’s still cheaper than a wallbox installation, which typically runs £800 to £1,200 or more once you factor in the unit itself plus installation. And you get the flexibility of unplugging the charging cable and taking it with you when you move, go on holiday, or need to charge somewhere else.
The Professional’s Secret
Your electrician will likely install this on a dedicated radial circuit. That means a single cable run from the consumer unit directly to the socket, with its own protection device. This ensures the full 32A is available and nothing else on the circuit can interfere with charging.
If you’re on a TN-C-S earthing system (also called PME supply, which is common in the UK), they may recommend a PEN fault detection device for outdoor charging safety. This is genuinely good practice and shows they know their stuff. It protects against a specific but serious risk where the neutral conductor is lost, potentially making exposed metalwork on your car live. The new IET-01 (2024) standard specifically addresses this for EV charging installations.
Don’t view these safety requirements as obstacles. They’re there because electricity at this power level demands respect, and your electrician’s job is to make sure you can charge safely for years to come.
Conclusion: Your New Reality of Simple, Uncomplicated Power
You started this feeling overwhelmed by that intimidating industrial plug and drowning in conflicting technical advice. You’ve now discovered a straightforward, powerful tool that delivers 7.4kW of reliable charging without apps, without subscriptions, and without complexity.
This isn’t some experimental technology. It’s the marriage of two proven standards: the Type 2 connector your car already uses and the robust Commando socket that’s been powering tools and equipment in harsh environments for decades. Together, they give you wallbox-equivalent charging speeds with genuine portability.
Your single, actionable first step for today: Find a local qualified electrician and simply ask for a quote to install a 32A Commando socket. That one conversation is the beginning of the end of your charging anxiety. You’ll know exactly what it costs, what it involves, and how quickly you can have it done.
Imagine the quiet confidence of pulling up to a campsite, a mate’s workshop, or your own driveway, plugging in with one simple connection, and knowing you’re getting a solid, fast charge with zero fuss. No app loading. No wondering if the smart features are working. Just pure, reliable power flowing into your car.
That’s the freedom this cable delivers. Stop hunting for “proper” EV chargers and start planning your next adventure.
Type 2 to 32A Commando EV Charging (FAQs)
What is the difference between blue and red Commando sockets for EV charging?
Yes, there’s a big difference. Blue Commando sockets are single-phase (230V) and deliver up to 7.4kW. Perfect for most home charging. Red Commando sockets are three-phase (415V) and can deliver up to 22kW, but only if your car can accept that much AC power. Most UK homes have single-phase supplies, so blue is what you’ll typically use. Check your car’s specs before investing in three-phase equipment.
Do I need an electrician to install a 32A Commando socket for my EV?
Yes, absolutely. This isn’t a DIY project unless you’re a qualified electrician. A 32A circuit requires dedicated wiring from your consumer unit, proper circuit protection, and compliance with BS 7671 regulations. Professional installation typically costs £250 to £400. Getting it wrong creates serious fire and shock hazards. Always use a qualified electrician for this work.
Can I use a Commando socket instead of a dedicated EV charger?
Yes, definitely. A Type 2 to 32A Commando cable delivers the same 7.4kW charging power as most dedicated wallboxes. The difference is portability versus permanent installation. You miss out on smart features like app control and scheduling, but you gain simplicity and the ability to take your charger with you. For many people, that’s a better trade-off.
What safety features does an IC-CPD cable include?
Yes, proper cables include multiple safety layers. Look for Type A or Type B RCD protection against shock, thermal protection to prevent overheating, weatherproof IP55+ rating for outdoor use, and critically, the Control Pilot communication that stops power flow if anything goes wrong. The best cables also include PEN fault protection for outdoor charging. Never compromise on certified safety features to save money.
How fast can I charge my EV with a 32A Commando cable?
Yes, you’ll get roughly 25 to 30 miles of range per hour with a 32A single-phase cable delivering 7.4kW. That means a typical overnight charge (8 hours) adds about 200 to 240 miles of range. Actual speed depends on your car’s battery capacity and charging efficiency. A 60kWh battery charges from empty in approximately 8 to 9 hours.