Charging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a power outlet in France

Instructions showing how to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a French power outlet with Type B Micro USB cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger and recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 using a 2 pin Type E USB plug.

French power outlet

If you are organizing a trip it is helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to power any common electronics that you are bringing with you. Without knowing which power socket to expect you are likely to bring the wrong adaptor, meaning having to purchase a suitable power adaptor when you're there. Various combinations of region codes and voltages can all be confusing when planning on staying in a foreign country, especially to the first time traveller. This guide has been written to help prepare travellers wanting to power their Samsung Galaxy S4 when they are visiting France.This page has step-by-step instructions showing you exactly what you'll need to power your Samsung Galaxy S4 when you are travelling to France using the E or C type French 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, most French will use the Type E sockets in their wall outlets. You will find power will change from region to region so we suggest reading the power supplies and Europe page for a full list of countries. When visiting France from another country ensure your Samsung Galaxy S4 can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to stop 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 will connect to the French power outlet.

Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in France

Can you use a Samsung Galaxy S4 in France?

You can use a Samsung Galaxy S4 in France.

What is the best power adapter for recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in France?

If you are travelling to more than one country or bringing more than just your Samsung Galaxy S4 then the best travel adapter for France is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. French use two different types of power outlets (E and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the heads over. If your type of Samsung Galaxy S4 supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of USB power adapters and additional support for more power hungry devices.

Unlike other travel chargers having a 4 port charger will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack individual travel chargers on your French trip. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling and on hand for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 at an airport or on your flight. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers using just a single power outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of flexible travel adapter at an electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for France

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both France and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 compact option for travellers originating from America visiting France using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and offers the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting France. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in France?

Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a French power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 with a French power outlet with Type B Micro USB cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger.

  1. To charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 using the French power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. First insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the French power outlet. This ungrounded plug outlet is identified by two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable 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 situated below the Home button.
  4. Turn on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found at the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will display a charging icon with to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the mobile whilst charging it may take longer to completely charge the battery. [AD]
Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a French power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a French power outlet

A guide showing how to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a French power outlet with type B USB micro connector with a three pinned Type E power adapter.

  1. In order to power a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a French power outlet you will need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type E USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the French power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two circular holes 19mm apart from each other where the live and neutral pins go and a single long metal grounding pin protruding in the top in a triangular pattern.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB Micro type B connector into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You will find the USB Micro connector on the base of the phone situated below the Home button.
  4. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found at the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen will show a charging icon with to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung Galaxy S4 while charging it may take longer to completely recharge the battery. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a French power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - French entry on wikipedia
  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 E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  8. 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..