Charging the iPhone 5C when visiting North Korea

Instructions showing you how to charge your iPhone 5C from a North Korean power outlet by using a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type A power adapter, how to power the iPhone 5C using a double pinned Europlug Type C power charger and charging the iPhone 5C using a Schuko Type F USB charger

North Korean power outlet

Different combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. This page contains a step by step guide showing how to power the iPhone 5C when you're travelling to North Korea by using their Type F, A or C North Korean 220 volt 60Hz plug outlets. Most power supplies are different depending on which area you are travelling to therefore please read the Asia page for a full list of countries. If you are travelling to North Korea from a different country please ensure that the iPhone 5C can be used with a 240v supply. If the iPhone 5C was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from overheating whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in North Korea

Can you use the iPhone 5C in North Korea?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 5C to a North Korean power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5C in North Korea?

When you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPhone 5C the best travel power adapter for North Korea is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three types of power outlets in North Korea (types F, A and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the supplied heads. If your type of iPhone 5C can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these power adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel adapters this means you can power multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your North Korean trip. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being on hand for charging your iPhone 5C at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones using just a single plug socket.

We suggest searching for a flexible travel charger similar to this online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for North Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from America going to North Korea using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5C in North Korea?

Powering the iPhone 5C with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to charge your iPhone 5C from a North Korean power outlet by using a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type A power adapter.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 5C from a North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the North Korean power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 thin slots adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB 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. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5C is recharging, typically taking around 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5C with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A guide on how to recharge the iPhone 5C with a North Korean power outlet with a Lightning cable and a two pinned Type C power adapter.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 5C from the North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally already supplied with your device).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the North Korean power outlet. You can identify the plug supply by two round holes next to each other.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains 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. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5C is recharging which takes around 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 5C from a North Korean power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Type F Schuko power charger to recharge the iPhone 5C with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone 5C using the North Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], typically already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can identify the plug outlet by two large circular holes 19 mm apart from each other along with two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the Lightning charging cord into the bottom of the mains power 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. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your cell will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is powering up and takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 5C from a North Korean power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - North Korea Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 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..
  10. 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..