Charging your mobile phone from a power outlet in Ethiopia

A guide showing how to recharge any mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet by using Type B Micro USB cable with a three pinned Type E power adapter, charging any mobile phone using a double pinned Type C power adapter and recharging any mobile phone using a Type F Schuko power plug

Ethiopian power outlet

Varying complicated frequencies and standards can all be daunting when planning on staying in a different country, especially to the first time traveller. This page contains a useful guide showing exactly what you'll need to supply power to the mobile phone when you are visiting Ethiopia using their standard E, C, F or L type 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets. Power supplies will vary from region to region therefore we suggest reading the power supplies list for a full list of countries. When you are visiting Ethiopia from another country double check the mobile phone can accept a 240v supply. If the mobile phone was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts make sure your mobile phone is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from overloading during charging.

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

Charging any mobile phone in Ethiopia

Can you use any mobile phone in Ethiopia?

You can connect any mobile phone to an Ethiopian power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

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

When travelling to multiple countries then the best travel adapter for Ethiopia is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different standards of plug sockets in Ethiopia (types E, C, F and L) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the included heads. If your model of mobile phone is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times with one of these USB travel chargers, and compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other adapters having a 4 port charger means you can recharge multiple devices at once without needing to bring individual power adapters on your trip. Only packing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being suitable for recharging your mobile phone at an airport or on your flight. Because of their flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets using just a single wall outlet.

If you travel often we suggest buying a versatile power charger of this nature online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Ethiopia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the mobile phone, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Ethiopia 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 most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting Ethiopia using 3 pinned type B plug sockets.
  • 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 originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half the 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Ethiopia. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in Ethiopia?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

Using Micro USB type B cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger to power any mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet.

  1. To charge your mobile phone using the Ethiopian power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise this wall outlet by two round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the USB mains 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 (note that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on along one side or on the bottom of the mobile phone.
  5. Switch on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should 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 Europlug Type C power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

Instructions showing how to charge your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet with Micro USB type B cable and a Type E power adapter.

  1. In order to power any mobile phone from the Ethiopian power outlet you will need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Start by plugging the Type E USB power plug adapter in the Ethiopian power outlet. The circular plug supply (sometimes called a CEE 7/7 plug) can be identified by the two large adjacent holes where the twin pins go along with one long metal earth pin protruding from the top forming a triangular configuration.
  3. Connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the USB mains 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 supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on the bottom or along one side of the mobile phone.
  5. Switch on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should 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 E power charger for recharging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

Instructions on how to power any mobile phone with an Ethiopian power outlet using type B USB micro cord with a three pin Schuko Type F power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Ethiopian power outlet. This circular power supply can be identified by the two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other, plus thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the power 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 (note you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the side or bottom of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone will indicate that the phone is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

A guide showing how to recharge any mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet by using Type B Micro USB cable with a three pinned Type L power adapter.

  1. If you want to charge any mobile phone using the Ethiopian power outlet you will need a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Firstly you'll need to plug the Type L USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. The squashed hexagon shaped plug supply (known as the Type L power outlet [8]) looks like 3 round holes in a line. Note that there are two different variations of Type L plug outlet, one rated for 10 amps and one at 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm pins spaced 5.5mm apart whilst a 16 amp version has larger 5mm pins that are spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the USB power 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 (note that you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port can typically be found either on along one side or on the bottom of the mobile phone.
  5. Turn on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the phone is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your mobile phone from an Ethiopian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Ethiopia 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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  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..