How to charge the Samsung Galaxy S4 when staying in Cuba

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Cuban power outlet by using USB Micro Type B cable with a 3 pinned Type A USB adapter, how to recharge a Samsung Galaxy S4 using a Type B power plug and how to recharge a Samsung Galaxy S4 using a Type C power plug

Cuban power outlet

When planning a trip to Cuba it's helpful to know if you'll be able to use all your common devices that you'll be bringing with you. By not knowing which wall socket to expect you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, therefore having to buy or borrow a suitable charger when you arrive. Varying different combinations of standards and plugs can all cause confusion when planning on staying in another country, especially for the first time traveller. However this isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 in Cuba. This page has been specifically written to stop you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge your Samsung Galaxy S4 when you're travelling abroad.If you're staying in Cuba these useful instructions show how to supply power to your Samsung Galaxy S4 using their Type C, A or B 110 volt 60Hz plug outlets, Type C plug outlets are normally used by most Cubans. If the Samsung Galaxy S4 slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are visiting Cuba from a different country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Electrical devices which come from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, check your device is dual-voltage (you'll find these are usually indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use.

We recommend referring 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 from the Samsung Galaxy range which can connect to the Cuban power outlet.

Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in Cuba

Can the Samsung Galaxy S4 be used in Cuba?

You can connect a Samsung Galaxy S4 to a Cuban power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in Cuba?

If travelling to more than one country the best travel charger for Cuba is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different types of wall outlets (C, A and B) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the included plugs. If your Samsung Galaxy S4 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power chargers. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers with only a single plug socket.

We suggest buying an adaptable power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Cuba and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Cuba.
  • 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 from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 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 Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging a Samsung Galaxy S4 in Cuba?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Cuban power outlet

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Cuban power outlet by using USB Micro Type B cable with a 3 pinned Type A USB adapter.

  1. If you want to power your Samsung Galaxy S4 using a Cuban power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this power supply by 2 slots next to each other where the twin blades slide into.
  3. Connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You'll find the multipurpose jack on the base of the Samsung found underneath the Home button.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found in the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen will show a charge icon with to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung whilst charging it may take longer to fully charge the battery. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Cuban power outlet

Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using type B USB cord and a Type B power charger to power your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the Samsung Galaxy S4 from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Cuban power outlet. The plug outlet, technically known as the Type B power outlet [6], is recognised by the two thin slots adjacent to each other where the short live and neutral plug outlet blades slide into with a single semicircle shaped hole below for the slightly longer earthed pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You'll find the multipurpose jack on the base of the Samsung found underneath the Home button.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which is found in the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen will show a charge icon with to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the Samsung Galaxy S4 whilst charging it may take longer to fully charge the battery. [AD]
Powering a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

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

Using type B USB cord and a Type C power charger to power your Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your Samsung Galaxy S4 from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this power supply by 2 round adjacent holes where the twin pins slide into.
  3. Connect the USB end of the type B USB cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the multipurpose jack on a Samsung Galaxy S4. You will find the USB jack on the foot of the phone located below the Home button.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears at the top corner of the Samsung Galaxy S4 display will display a charging icon with dots underneath to indicate that the device is charging.
  6. If you are using the phone while charging it will take longer to completely recharge the battery. [AD]
Charging a Samsung Galaxy S4 from a Cuban power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuba country Wikipedia page
  2. Samsung - Samsung Galaxy S4 instruction manual
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  10. 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..