Charging your Kindle Fire from a power outlet in South Africa

Instructions on how to recharge a Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet by using type B USB Micro connector with a three pinned Type C USB charger, charging a Kindle Fire using a double pin Type F USB charger and charging a Kindle Fire using a three pinned Type M power adapter

South African power outlet

Varying complicated standards and sockets can often be daunting when planning to travel to a new country especially for the first time traveller. The following guide tells you how to supply power to the Kindle Fire in South Africa by using their standard M, C, F or N type 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, a majority of South Africans will use Type M plugs in their wall outlets. If visiting South Africa from a different country please check that your Kindle Fire can be charged using a 240v supply. If the Kindle Fire was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check that your Kindle Fire is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from overloading when powering up.

The following instructions show you how to connect the South African power outlet to the tablet. This guide assumes that you have installed the most recent version of Fire OS for the tablet, however if you don't we recommend installing the most recent Kindle Fire OS update which makes sure you have the latest set of features for your Kindle Fire. Go to the manufacturers site at Amazon.com for the Kindle Fire device support [2] for further information.

Charging a Kindle Fire in South Africa

Can you use a Kindle Fire in South Africa?

You can use a Kindle Fire in South Africa.

What is the best travel charger for recharging a Kindle Fire in South Africa?

If travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your Kindle Fire then the best international travel adapter for South Africa is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different types of power outlets (types M, C, F and N) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the heads. If your model of Kindle Fire is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these travel chargers, along with compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel adapters having a four port adapter means you can recharge multiple devices at once without needing to bring seperate travel adapters or occupying additional wall outlets. Because you are only bringing a single international travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling and on hand for recharging your Kindle Fire at an airport or on your flight. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without needing an additional power outlet.

We recommend buying a versatile travel charger of this nature online; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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 Kindle Fire, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North 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 best selling compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting South Africa using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and offers the same set of features as the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 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 South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging a Kindle Fire in South Africa?

Powering a Kindle Fire with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions on how to recharge a Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet by using type B USB Micro connector with a three pinned Type C USB charger.

  1. To power the Kindle Fire using the South African power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. This unearthed plug supply (called the Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug) is identified by the 2 circular adjacent holes.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the type B Micro USB cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on a Kindle Fire.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery symbol which is found at the top corner of the Kindle tablet screen will display a lightning bolt icon which indicates that the tablet is charging.
  6. It will take between around 4 hours to 12 hours to completely recharge, but this may take longer depending on the type of Kindle you are using, the strength of the power and if you are using the Kindle during the charging process. Please read the Kindle Fire device support [2] for more details on battery times. [AD]
Powering a Kindle Fire with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet

A guide showing how to charge your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet with type B Micro USB cable and a Type F Schuko USB charger.

  1. If you want to power a Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. This recessed round power outlet (sometimes called the Type F power outlet [6] or Schuko plug) can be recognised by two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral along with a pair of thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB Micro type B connector into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on a Kindle Fire.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top corner of the Kindle tablet display will show a lightning icon to indicate that your device is charging.
  6. It will take between 4 hours to 12 hours to fully charge to full capacity, however this is likely to be longer depending on the type of Kindle Fire you have, the strength of the power charger and if you are using the tablet whilst charging. Please read the Kindle Fire device support [2] for more details on the recharging procedure and battery times. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet

How to use a Type M power charger for recharging your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet

Using USB micro type B cord with a three pin Type M power adapter to charge your Kindle Fire with a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Start by plugging the Type M USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the three circular holes forming a triangle pattern for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB Micro Type B connector into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on a Kindle Fire.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears at the top corner of the Kindle Fire display will show a lightning bolt icon to indicate that your tablet is charging.
  6. It will take between 4 hours to 12 hours to fully recharge, however this is likely to take longer depending on the type of Kindle Fire you are charging, the strength of the power charger and if you are using the device during the recharging cycle. Please read the Kindle Fire device support [2] for more details on the recharging procedure and battery life. [AD]
How to use a Type M power charger for recharging your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet

How to use a Type N power charger for charging your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet

Using USB micro type B cord with a three pin Type N power adapter to charge your Kindle Fire with a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet you'll need a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [5].
  2. Plug the Type N USB power plug adapter into the power supply. The hexagon shaped plug supply, technically known as a Type N power outlet [10], can be identified by the 3 large holes in a flattened triangle pattern for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB Micro Type B connector into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on a Kindle Fire.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears at the top corner of the Kindle Fire display will show a lightning bolt icon to indicate that your tablet is charging.
  6. It will take between 4 hours to 12 hours to fully recharge, however this is likely to take longer depending on the type of Kindle Fire you are charging, the strength of the power charger and if you are using the device during the recharging cycle. Please read the Kindle Fire device support [2] for more details on the recharging procedure and battery life. [AD]
How to use a Type N power charger for charging your Kindle Fire from a South African power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa entry on wikipedia
  2. Amazon - Kindle Fire device support
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. 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..
  5. 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.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..