An alternating current (AC) charging device for a motor vehicle may include: a neutral conductor; a phase conductor; a rectifier; a smoothing capacitor electrically connected to the rectifier; a mains connection; a precharge circuit arranged between the mains connection and the smoothing capacitor, the precharge circuit precharging the smoothing capacitor; and a second phase conductor electrically connected to the phase conductor by a cross-connection line. The neutral conductor and the phase conductor are connected to the rectifier. The precharge circuit is disposed in the neutral conductor.