Charging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a power outlet in South Africa

A page showing how to charge a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet with type B USB micro cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger, how to power a Samsung Galaxy S4 using a Type F Schuko power charger and charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 using a three pinned Type M power adapter

South African power outlet

Different combinations of frequencies and region codes can all lead to confusion when planning to visit another country if you've never been there before. However this isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards being used in the world this guide tells you exactly what you'll need to buy in advance to charge the Samsung Galaxy S4 . This page contains a guide demonstrating how to supply power to the Samsung Galaxy S4 in South Africa using their standard M, C, F or N type South African 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, a majority of South Africans will use the Type M plugs in their wall outlets. If you are visiting South Africa from another country please double check the Samsung Galaxy S4 can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v double check the device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overloading during charging.

Please refer to the Samsung Galaxy S4 instruction manual [2] for more information on the operation of the mobile phone and visit the Galaxy page for more phones by Samsung which can connect to the South African power outlet.

Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in South Africa

Can the Samsung Galaxy S4 be used in South Africa?

Yes, you can connect a Samsung Galaxy S4 to a South African power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for a Samsung Galaxy S4 in South Africa?

If you are travelling with more than your Samsung Galaxy S4 then the best travel charger for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four standards of plug sockets in South Africa (M, C, F and N) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your type of Samsung Galaxy S4 can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of power adapters and additional support for more power demanding devices.

This will also allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to buy multiple power adapters or occupying additional power sockets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage. Because of their flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones using only a single power outlet.

We recommend buying a versatile travel charger of this nature online; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both South Africa and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from America going to South Africa.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a generous 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for a Samsung Galaxy S4 in South Africa?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet

A page showing how to charge a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet with type B USB micro cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger.

  1. In order to power a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded wall outlet is recognised by two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the mains power charger and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You'll find the USB jack on the bottom of the Samsung Galaxy S4 found underneath the Home button.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found in the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 display will show a charging icon with dots underneath to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung Galaxy while charging it may take longer to fully recharge the battery. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet

Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using Micro USB type B cord with a three pin Type F USB adapter to power a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet.

  1. To charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 using the South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by two large adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral along with a pair of thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB Micro Type B connector into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You'll find the USB Micro connector on the foot of the Samsung found below the Home button.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears at the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will display a charge icon with to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the mobile whilst charging it will take longer to completely charge the battery. [AD]
Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Using Micro USB type B cord with a three pin Type M power adapter to recharge your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the Samsung Galaxy S4 using the South African power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start by plugging the Type M USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. This wall outlet (known as a Type M power outlet [8]) can be recognised by 3 large circular holes in a triangular configuration.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the mains power charger and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You'll find the USB jack on the bottom of the Samsung Galaxy S4 found underneath the Home button.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found in the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 display will show a charging icon with dots underneath to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung Galaxy while charging it may take longer to fully recharge the battery. [AD]
Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

A step by step guide showing how to power a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a South African power outlet using USB micro type B cord with a three pin Type N power adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the Samsung Galaxy S4 using a South African power outlet you'll need a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Firstly plug in the Type N USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. You can recognise the hexagon shaped power supply by the three large holes forming a triangle pattern for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You can find the multipurpose jack on the base of the Samsung Galaxy located underneath the Home button.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 display will display a charge icon with dots underneath to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung whilst charging it will take longer to fully recharge the battery. [AD]
Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa Wikipedia page
  2. Samsung - Samsung Galaxy S4 instruction manual
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  5. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..