Charging the iPhone 5C when planning a trip to Spain

Instructions on how to recharge the iPhone 5C from a Spanish power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C USB charger and how to power the iPhone 5C using a 2 pin Type F USB plug.

Spanish power outlet

Varying different standards and plug types can often be daunting when planning on travelling to a foreign country especially if you've never been there before. This guide has been written to stop people worrying if they'll be able to charge the iPhone 5C when they are going abroad.The following instructions will show how to supply power to the iPhone 5C when you're visiting Spain using the standard Type F or C Spanish 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, please note Type F power outlets will be used by a majority of Spaniards. When visiting Spain from another region make sure your iPhone 5C can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPhone 5C is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from being damaged when powering up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Spain

Can you use the iPhone 5C in Spain?

You can connect the iPhone 5C to a Spanish power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in Spain?

If you are travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPhone 5C then the best travel charger for Spain to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Spaniards use two different types of power 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 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPhone 5C supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power adapters for your Spanish trip or using up additional power sockets. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your iPhone 5C at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving versatility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets with just a single wall outlet.

We recommend buying an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for visitors of counties with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, 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 most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Spain.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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 and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in Spain?

Charging the iPhone 5C from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Instructions on how to recharge the iPhone 5C from a Spanish power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C USB charger.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 5C from a Spanish power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually supplied with your iPhone 5C.
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the Spanish power outlet. The power outlet is identified by the 2 round holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB power cord into 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 Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging which should take roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5C from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from a Spanish power outlet

Using a Lightning connector with a Schuko Type F power charger to recharge your iPhone 5C with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 5C using the Spanish power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPhone 5C).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The circular wall outlet (sometimes called the Type F power outlet [6]) can be identified by the two circular adjacent holes where the plug outlet pins slide into along with a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning cable into the mains power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5C.
  4. Turn on the Spanish 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 phone is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from a Spanish power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Spain 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..