Charging your iPhone 3G from a power outlet in England

How to connect a British power outlet to the iPhone 3G

British power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and region codes can often be confusing when planning to stay in a new country especially for the first time traveller. This page has been specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 3G when you are going abroad.This page contains useful instructions which shows how to power your iPhone 3G when visiting England using a standard 230 volt 50Hz G Type wall outlet, the Britons will use a BS 1363 13 amp plug for charging. When travelling to England from a different region ensure that your iPhone 3G can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check that the device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to prevent the device from overheating whilst powering it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Legal: This website may receive commissions for purchases made through links on this page. As an Amazon Associate WikiConnections earn from qualifying purchases. For more details please read the disclaimers page.

Charging the iPhone 3G in England

Can you use the iPhone 3G in England?

You can connect the iPhone 3G to a British power outlet.

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

When you are travelling to multiple countries then the best travel adapter for England is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the heads. If your type of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters, plus additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a four port adapter means you can power more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy multiple power chargers on your British trip. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets using only a single power outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel adapter illustrated is the universal multi-device USB wall charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for England

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 3G, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North 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 best selling compact power converter for travellers originating from North America visiting England.
  • 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 America using type B plugs. This gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 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 England. [6] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3G in England?

Powering the iPhone 3G with a British power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

Using a USB 30 pin cable and a Type G USB charger to power the iPhone 3G from a British power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 3G using a British power outlet you'll need to buy a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (typically already included with your iPhone 3G).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type G USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. The power supply, technically called a Type G power outlet [3], can be identified by the 3 vertical rectangular slots forming a triangle configuration.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power 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. Turn on the British power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 3G screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is powering up which takes between 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a British power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia entry about England
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable charging..
  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. Universal multi-device USB wall charger - A universal multi-device USB wall charger features USB PD and standard ports for fast charging simultaneous. These includes interchangeable international plug adapters making it ideal for travel and certified for safety to protect against current and heat.