Onboard Charger (OBC)
The internal device that converts AC from external chargers into DC for the vehicle battery.
The onboard charger determines how fast an electric vehicle can charge using AC power. It converts alternating current from a home or public charger into direct current suitable for the battery pack. Modern OBCs include power factor correction and safety monitoring. Some are bidirectional, enabling vehicle-to-grid (V2G) energy flow. Efficiency improvements directly affect charging times and overall range. Typical ratings vary from 3.3 kW to over 22 kW, depending on the vehicle class and market standards.
Related Diagnostic Guide
This topic is part of CHEPQ’s system-level diagnostic framework.
For a broader understanding of how this component is analyzed in real-world diagnostics, refer to the following guide:
Applying This Knowledge in Practice
The diagnostic principles discussed above are commonly applied in real-world vehicle diagnostics. To put this knowledge into practice, explore professional automotive diagnostic tools designed to support system testing, fault analysis, and troubleshooting across modern vehicles.