Charging the iPhone 5C when visiting Portugal

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type C Europlug power charger to recharge your iPhone 5C with a Portuguese power outlet and how to power the iPhone 5C using a 2 pin Schuko Type F power adapter.

Portuguese power outlet

Varying complicated standards and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to visit another country for the first time traveller. These step-by-step instructions shows you how to supply power to the iPhone 5C when you're visiting Portugal using their standard F or C type Portuguese 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Portuguese typically use Type F plugs in their plug outlets. If you are travelling to Portugal from another region please double check the iPhone 5C can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone 5C came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPhone 5C is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overheating during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Portugal

Can you use the iPhone 5C in Portugal?

You can use the iPhone 5C in Portugal by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5C in Portugal?

When travelling to more than one country then the best travel charger for Portugal to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Portuguese use two different standards of wall outlets (types F and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPhone 5C supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these USB power adapters and additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to buy individual power adapters for your Portuguese trip. By only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling. Because of their flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to Portugal we suggest searching for this type of versatile power adapter online; the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting 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 for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Portugal and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Portugal 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 travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs. This gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5C in Portugal?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5C from a Portuguese power outlet

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Europlug Type C USB charger to charge your iPhone 5C with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 5C from a Portuguese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. First you'll need to plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Portuguese power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 5C screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is charging and takes around one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5C from a Portuguese power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5C with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type F Schuko power adapter to recharge your iPhone 5C with a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 5C using the Portuguese power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the two large holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral and a pair of thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB power cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which should take roughly 1-4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Portuguese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Portugal Wikipedia page
  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..