Onboard battery charging system

A battery charging system comprising:

• an isolation device structured to receive AC power and selectively provide AC power;
• an electric vehicle battery charger coupled to a battery, the battery charger structured to be coupled to the isolation device and receive AC power from the isolation device;
• and
• a detection circuit including a first portion having a first current sensor and a second portion having a second current sensor, the first portion and second portion being structured to be coupled together when the battery charger is coupled to the isolation device,
• wherein the first portion of the detection circuit is located within the isolation device and the second portion of the detection circuit is located within the electric vehicle,
• wherein the detection circuit is structured such that the second current sensor measures a first current value when the isolation device is not receiving AC power but the isolation device is coupled to the battery charger, and
• wherein the detection circuit is structured such that the second current sensor measures a second current value when the isolation device is receiving AC power and the isolation device is coupled to the battery charger.

A method for charging the battery of an electric vehicle comprising:

• operating an isolation device including an AC input terminal;
• an AC output terminal;
• a DC output terminal;
• a first detection circuit including a first DC power source, a first current sensor, a first diode, and a first resistor coupled in series;
• and a first controller structured to selectively couple the AC input terminal and the AC output terminal;
• operating an onboard battery charger including an AC input terminal;
• a second detection circuit including a DC second power source, a second current sensor, a second diode, and a second resistor coupled in series;
• and a second controller structured to control the first controller so as to selectively isolate the AC input terminal and the AC output terminal of the isolation device;
• operating the first detection circuit so as to measure the current flowing from the DC first power source to the first diode and transmitting the current measurement to the first controller;
• determining with the first controller whether the isolation device is coupled to an electric vehicle charger using the current measurement from the current sensor;
• and
• Providing AC power to the electric vehicle charger in response to determining the isolation device is coupled to an electric vehicle charger.