Charging the iPhone 3G when visiting Greece

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPhone 3G from a Greek power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin connector and a two pinned Type C power charger and powering the iPhone 3G using a two pin Type F USB plug.

Greek power outlet

Complicated combinations of standards and plugs can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country, especially to the first time traveller. This step by step guide will show how to power your iPhone 3G when you're travelling to Greece by using their types F or C Greek 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type F power outlets will be typically used by most Greeks. When visiting Greece from another country please check your iPhone 3G can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check that your device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from being damaged when powering up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Greece

Can you use the iPhone 3G in Greece?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 3G to a Greek power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3G in Greece?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 3G the best travel power adapter for Greece to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Greeks use two different types of plug sockets (types F and C) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the included heads. If your iPhone 3G can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of power adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel adapters this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your Greek trip. By only bringing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being on hand for recharging your iPhone 3G at the airport or on a plane. Because of their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers and using only a single wall outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Greece

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 3G, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Greece and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting Greece.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also 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 is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 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 a generous 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 Greece. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3G in Greece?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Greek power outlet

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPhone 3G from a Greek power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin connector and a two pinned Type C power charger.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 3G using a Greek power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], typically already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power supply. You can identify this power outlet by 2 circular holes adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the Greek power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the mobile screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Greek power outlet

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Greek power outlet

Instructions on how to charge your iPhone 3G from a Greek power outlet using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pin Type F USB charger.

  1. To power the iPhone 3G using a Greek power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPhone 3G).
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter in the Greek power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two large circular holes 19 mm next to each other along with two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple cord into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the Greek power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 3G screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging which typically takes around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Greek power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Greek Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  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..