How to charge your iPhone 5 from a power outlet in Bulgaria

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 5 with a Bulgarian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C Europlug power charger and how to recharge the iPhone 5 using a two pinned Schuko Type F power plug.

Bulgarian power outlet

Differing standards and plugs can often lead to confusion when planning on staying in a foreign country to the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to stop visitors worrying if they can charge their iPhone 5 when they are visiting abroad.When you're travelling to Bulgaria these useful instructions show powering your iPhone 5 using the standard Type F or C 230 volt 50Hz power outlets. When you are visiting Bulgaria from a different region please ensure that the iPhone 5 can accept a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts ensure your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. If you intend on travelling to a place like Sofia please refer to the Bulgarian Wikipedia page [1] for more information prior to the location. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5.

Charging the iPhone 5 in Bulgaria

Can the iPhone 5 be used in Bulgaria?

You can connect the iPhone 5 to a Bulgarian power outlet.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5 in Bulgaria?

When you are travelling to multiple countries the best international travel power adapter for Bulgaria is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of wall outlets that Bulgarians use (types F and C) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads. If your iPhone 5 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these types of power chargers, along with additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel adapters having a 4 port charger means you can power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring multiple travel chargers for your trip. Only needing to pack a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage and suitable for recharging your iPhone 5 at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers and using just a single plug socket.

For those travelling frequently we recommend buying a versatile travel adapter like this online, the multipurpose power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Bulgaria

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North 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 best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting Bulgaria using type B American 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 from the US using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Bulgaria. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5 in Bulgaria?

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

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 5 with a Bulgarian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C Europlug power charger.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 5 from the Bulgarian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with your device).
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Bulgarian power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by the 2 round adjacent holes.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple Lightning charging cord into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 Lightning connector is situated at bottom of your iPhone 5 under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Bulgarian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5 is recharging which typically takes around 60-240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5 from a Bulgarian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

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

Using the Lightning Apple cable with a Type F power adapter to charge the iPhone 5 with a Bulgarian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 5 from a Bulgarian power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple should usually include the USB cable when you purchase the iPhone 5.
  2. Begin by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the two pins slide into, plus a pair of grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of your iPhone 5.
  4. Switch on the Bulgarian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up, typically taking roughly one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Bulgarian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Bulgarian 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..