How to charge the iPhone 5S when staying in Sao Tome

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C power charger to power your iPhone 5S from a Sao Tome power outlet and how to recharge the iPhone 5S using a two pin Schuko Type F USB adapter.

Sao Tome power outlet

Complicated frequencies and region codes can all cause confusion when planning on staying in another country, especially for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of common standards used in the world this guide shows exactly what to pick up in advance to charge your iPhone 5S in Sao Tome. This page has been written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5S when abroad.When you're going to Sao Tome this page has useful instructions showing you how to charge the iPhone 5S using their F or C type 220 volt 50Hz power outlets. If visiting Sao Tome from another country please ensure that the iPhone 5S can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If the iPhone 5S came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120v double check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from overloading whilst powering it up. If you are planning to stay at a Sao Tome place like São Tomé or Trindade we suggest referring to the Wikipedia entry about Sao Tome [1] for more indepth details prior to travelling to the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Sao Tome

Can the iPhone 5S be used in Sao Tome?

You can connect the iPhone 5S to a Sao Tome power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5S in Sao Tome?

If travelling with more than your iPhone 5S then the best international travel power adapter for Sao Tome to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Sao Tomean use two different types of wall outlets (types F and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the included heads over. If your model of iPhone 5S can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers and compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port charger means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack individual power adapters on your trip to Sao Tome or occupying additional power outlets. Only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your iPhone 5S at the airport or on the plane. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets with only a single plug socket.

We suggest buying this type of flexible travel adapter online - the power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Sao Tome

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5S, 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 travellers to regions with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come supplied 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 international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Sao Tome.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Sao Tome. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5S in Sao Tome?

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Sao Tome power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C power charger to power your iPhone 5S from a Sao Tome power outlet.

  1. In order to power your iPhone 5S using a Sao Tome power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally included with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise the power outlet by 2 holes next to each other where the two pins sit.
  3. Then connect one end of the cord into the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is recharging and takes between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Sao Tome power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Sao Tome power outlet

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Schuko Type F power charger to power your iPhone 5S from a Sao Tome power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 5S using a Sao Tome power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPhone 5S.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. The sunken circular plug outlet can be identified by two large circular adjacent holes along with a pair of two thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 5S will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is recharging and takes between 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Sao Tome power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Sao Tome
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  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 to Apple Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  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. 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..