Configurable multi-phase charger

A method for use with an on-board charger (OBC) for charging a traction battery of an electric vehicle, wherein the OBC includes a primary phase including a circuit having an input and an output, the primary phase circuit input being connectable to a mains supply to connect the primary phase to the mains supply, a secondary phase including a circuit having an input and an output, the secondary phase circuit input having an input capacitor, and a pre-charge circuit connected between the primary phase circuit output and the secondary phase circuit output, wherein the pre-charge circuit is switchable between an opened state in which the pre-charge circuit disconnects the secondary phase circuit output from the primary phase circuit output and a closed state in which the pre-charge circuit connects the secondary phase circuit output to the primary phase circuit output, the method comprising:

• upon detecting that the mains supply is a single-phase mains supply after the primary phase has been connected to the mains supply, switching the pre-charge circuit to the closed state so that an electrical current may flow through the pre-charge circuit from the primary phase circuit output to the secondary phase circuit output and through the secondary phase circuit to the input capacitor to charge the input capacitor.