How to charge the mobile phone when staying in Laos

Using USB Micro Type B cable with a 3 pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter to recharge your mobile phone from a Lao power outlet, recharging any mobile phone using a two pin Europlug Type C USB charger and powering any mobile phone using a two pinned Type E USB charger

Lao power outlet

Various region codes and plugs can often be confusing when planning to travel to a different country if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of standards used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what to buy in advance to charge your mobile phone in Laos. When visiting Laos these instructions show powering your mobile phone using the standard Type F, C or E Lao 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets. When you are visiting Laos from a different country check your mobile phone can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from overheating when powering up. If you plan on travelling to a place such as Vientiane please read the Lao Wikipedia page [1] for more information on visiting the area.

This how-to guide is for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For all the latest phones please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Laos

Can the mobile phone be used in Laos?

You can connect any mobile phone to a Lao power outlet.

What is the best power charger for any mobile phone in Laos?

If travelling to more than one country the best travel charger for Laos is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three types of wall outlets that Laos use (types F, C and E) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by changing the supplied heads over. If your model of mobile phone can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel chargers and 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. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall weight and size down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your mobile phone at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional wall outlet.

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 Laos

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 converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of counties with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to Laos using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 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 Laos. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for any mobile phone in Laos?

Charging any mobile phone from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using Type B micro USB connector and a Type C power charger to power your mobile phone from a Lao power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the mobile phone from the Lao power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Lao power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 adjacent holes.
  3. Plug in the USB 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 USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (please note that you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone to charge with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the bottom or side of the mobile phone.
  5. Turn on the Lao power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone should indicate that the phone is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
Charging any mobile phone from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Powering any mobile phone with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

A page on how to power your mobile phone from a Lao power outlet with type B USB cord and a Type E power charger.

  1. In order to charge the mobile phone from the Lao power outlet you'll need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin by inserting the Type E USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This round wall supply (called a CEE 7/7 outlet or Type E power outlet [5]) can be identified by two 4.8mm round holes 19mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins plus a single long metal grounding pin protruding from the top to form a triangular pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the Type B Micro USB connector into the USB power charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on along one side or on the bottom of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone will indicate that the device is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
Powering any mobile phone with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Charging any mobile phone from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

A page on how to power your mobile phone from a Lao power outlet with type B USB connector and a Schuko Type F power adapter.

  1. If you want to power your mobile phone using a Lao power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This round wall supply (known as the Type F power outlet [7]) can be recognised by the two large circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins, plus a pair of two thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the type B USB cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on along one side or on the bottom of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone will indicate that the device is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
Charging any mobile phone from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Lao Wikipedia page
  2. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  3. 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..
  4. 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.
  5. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  6. 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..
  7. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  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..