Charging the mobile phone when planning a trip to Russia

Instructions on how to charge your mobile phone with a Russian power outlet using Type B USB Micro connector and a Europlug Type C power adapter and charging any mobile phone using a Type F Schuko power charger.

Russian power outlet

If you are packing for a holiday to Russia it can be helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge all your devices like cell phones or tablets when you reach your hotel. But by not knowing which wall socket is used in Russia you are more likely to bring the wrong adaptor, therefore leaving you needing to buy a suitable adaptor when you're there which might be incompatible and cause problems with your mobile phone. Various combinations of region codes and voltages can all be daunting when planning to stay in another country especially for the first time traveller. When you are planning a holiday to Russia this page contains useful instructions showing powering the mobile phone by using the Type F or C 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets, you will discover a majority of Russians typically use Type F plugs in their wall outlets. If visiting Russia from a different region please check that the mobile phone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your mobile phone was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overheating whilst powering it. If you intend on visiting a Russian city like Moscow read the Wikipedia entry about Russia [1] for further details.

These instructions are 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 visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Russia

Can you use any mobile phone in Russia?

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

What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in Russia?

If you are travelling with more than your mobile phone or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Russia is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Russians use two different types of power outlets (types F and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of mobile phone is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power adapters for your Russian trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single USB travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your mobile phone at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Russia we suggest searching for a flexible travel charger like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Russia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Russia.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Russia. [7] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in Russia?

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

Instructions on how to charge your mobile phone with a Russian power outlet using Type B USB Micro connector and a Europlug Type C power adapter.

  1. If you want to power your mobile phone using the Russian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Plug the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power supply. You can recognise this power supply by the 2 round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the type B micro USB cable into the bottom of the USB 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 that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone to charge with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the bottom or along one side of the mobile phone.
  5. Switch on the Russian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
Charging any mobile phone from a Russian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Russian power outlet

A page showing how to charge your mobile phone with a Russian power outlet using Micro USB Type B cord with a Type F Schuko power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to the mobile phone using the Russian 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. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can identify the power supply by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm adjacent to each other and a pair of thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the Type B USB Micro cable into the bottom of the USB 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 which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on the bottom or side of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the Russian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Russian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Russia
  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 F power outlet
  6. 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..
  7. 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..