Charging the mobile phone when planning a trip to Switzerland

Instructions showing you how to power any mobile phone from a Swiss power outlet with Type B USB Micro cable and a 3 pin Type C USB charger and how to power any mobile phone using a 3 pin Type J USB charger.

Swiss power outlet

If you are planning to travel it's useful to know if you can use any common electronics such as mobile phones or cameras that you'll be bringing along with you. By not knowing which plug socket is being used you are more likely to bring the wrong adaptor, therefore leaving you needing to buy a potentially overpriced adaptor when you need to recharge which might not be compatible and cause problems with your mobile phone. Complicated combinations of voltages and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. The following useful guide will show exactly what you'll need to power your mobile phone when staying in Switzerland using the types J or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most Swiss will use the Type J power outlets. When visiting Switzerland from a different country please check 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 120 volts check that the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from being damaged when charging it.

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 a specific mobile phone please visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Switzerland

Can you use any mobile phone in Switzerland?

Yes, you can connect any mobile phone to a Swiss power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for any mobile phone in Switzerland?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your mobile phone then the best travel adapter for Switzerland is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of power outlets that Swiss use (J and C) and using a power adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 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 quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy individual power chargers. By only bringing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage. 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 under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Switzerland we suggest searching for an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Switzerland

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Switzerland and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to Switzerland.
  • 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 gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only 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 Switzerland. [7] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for any mobile phone in Switzerland?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Swiss power outlet

Using Micro USB type B cord with a Europlug Type C power charger to recharge your mobile phone with a Swiss power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the mobile phone using the Swiss power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Swiss power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect the USB 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 (please 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 Swiss 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 C power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Swiss power outlet

How to use a Type J power charger for charging your mobile phone from a Swiss power outlet

Using Type B USB Micro cable and a Type J USB charger to charge your mobile phone with a Swiss power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the mobile phone using the Swiss power outlet you will need to use a Type J USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type J USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The squashed hexagon shaped power supply, technically called the Type J power outlet [5], looks like 3 large holes forming a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B 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 along one side or on the bottom of the mobile phone.
  5. Switch on the Swiss 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 J power charger for charging your mobile phone from a Swiss power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org web page about Switzerland
  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 J power outlet
  6. Type J USB power plug adapter - Type J USB chargers have three rounded pins placed in a flattened triangular pattern with the top pin acting as an earth.
  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..