How to charge the mobile phone from a power outlet in America

A page on how to power your mobile phone with an American power outlet by using Micro USB type B connector and a Type A power adapter and how to charge any mobile phone using a Type B power adapter.

American power outlet

Complicated region codes and plug types can all be confusing when planning to travel to a different country especially for the first time traveller. This page has simple instructions demonstrating exactly how to power your mobile phone when you're in America by using the standard Type B or A 120 volt 60Hz power outlets, you will find a majority of Americans will typically use the Type B plugs in their power outlets. Most power sockets will vary from region to region so please read our Wikiconnections world power connections list where you'll find a complete list of regions and countries. If your mobile phone charges slowly or does not power up when visiting America from a different region check that it is compatible with a 120 volt power supply. Devices which come from a different country which use a higher voltage such as 240 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, so check that your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use.

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 America

Can the mobile phone be used in America?

You can connect any mobile phone to an American power outlet.

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

If travelling to multiple countries the best international travel power adapter for America to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of wall outlets in America (types B and A) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type A. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by changing the included plugs. If your mobile phone supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel adapters, and support for certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters having a 4 port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power chargers on your trip to America. Because you are only needing to bring a single international USB travel charger will keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage whilst travelling and convenient for charging your mobile phone at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without using up an additional wall outlet.

We recommend searching for a multipurpose power charger similar to this online, the multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for America

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel converters come 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 travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America going to America.
  • 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 originating from North America using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting America. [7] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for any mobile phone in America?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your mobile phone from an American power outlet

A page on how to power your mobile phone with an American power outlet by using Micro USB type B connector and a Type A power adapter.

  1. If you want to power the mobile phone from the American power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. You can recognise the power supply by 2 slots adjacent to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Type B USB cord into the bottom of the USB mains 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 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. Switch on the American 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 typically take. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your mobile phone from an American power outlet

Charging any mobile phone from an American power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge any mobile phone with an American power outlet by using Type B Micro USB cord and a three pin Type B USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to any mobile phone using an American power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. The power supply, sometimes called a Type B power outlet [5], is identified by two thin slots parallel to each other with a semicircular shaped hole below for the slightly longer ground pin.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of 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 which came with your mobile phone to charge with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the side or bottom of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the American power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone will indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
Charging any mobile phone from an American power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Visittheusa - Visit The USA
  2. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  3. 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..
  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 B power outlet
  6. 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..
  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..