How to charge the iPhone 3G when planning a trip to France
Instructions on how to charge the iPhone 3G from a French power outlet using a USB 30 pin Apple connector with a Type C USB adapter and charging the iPhone 3G using a two pin Type E USB charger.
Various voltages and plugs can often be daunting when planning on staying in a new country for the first time traveller. This isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of standards used in the world this article tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to charge the iPhone 3G . This page was specifically written to stop people having to worry if they'll be able to power the iPhone 3G when they are travelling abroad.This page is a simple guide demonstrating exactly how to supply power to your iPhone 3G when going to France by using their types E or C French 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you will find most French use the Type E power outlets. Power sources will vary from country to country therefore please read our Wiki Connections global power sockets list for a complete list of countries. When you are visiting France from another region please make sure your iPhone 3G can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v ensure that 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 you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.
Charging the iPhone 3G in France
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3G in France?
When you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 3G and visiting more than one country the best travel power adapter for France to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. French use two different standards of plug sockets (types E and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.
As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by changing the included plugs. If your model of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these travel adapters plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.
Having a 4 port charger will also allow you to power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power chargers. Because you are only packing a single travel charger will also keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their versatility these types of power adapters can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you're not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers using just a single plug socket.
We suggest searching for a multipurpose travel adapter similar to this online. The travel adapter illustrated here is the universal multi-device USB wall charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.
Alternative travel adapter for France
The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 3G, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:
- BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from North America going to France 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 originating from North America using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting France. [8] [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a French power outlet
Instructions on how to charge the iPhone 3G from a French power outlet using a USB 30 pin Apple connector with a Type C USB adapter.
- If you want to charge the iPhone 3G using a French power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple normally supply this cable when you buy the iPhone 3G.
- Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the French power outlet. This plug outlet, also called a Europlug, is identified by two round holes next to each other.
- Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains 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.
- Switch on the French power outlet.
- 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 3G is recharging which should take around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for charging your iPhone 3G from a French power outlet
Using the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type E power adapter to charge your iPhone 3G from a French power outlet.
- To power the iPhone 3G from a French power outlet you will need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually already included with your iPhone 3G by Apple.
- Firstly you'll need to insert the Type E USB power plug adapter into the French power outlet. The round plug outlet (sometimes known as the CEE 7/7 outlet) can be identified by two 4.8mm holes 19mm apart from each other where the live and neutral pins sit and a single long metal earth pin protruding the top in a triangle shape.
- Then connect one end of the 30 pin cord into the bottom of the mains power charger 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.
- Switch on the French power outlet.
- The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPhone 3G will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
See also
- What can I connect to a French power outlet?
- What can I connect to the iPhone 3G?
- Can I charge my phone in Europe?
- Can I use my phone in Europe?
- Do I need a converter for my phone in Europe?
- Will my phone charger work in Europe?
- What are the dangers of using the wrong mobile phone charger in Europe?
- How do I charge a phone in Europe?
- How to call the US from Europe
- Which plug sockets are used in Europe?
- Can I use my hairdryer in Europe?
- Can I use my hair straighteners in Europe?
- What is the cheapest airport to fly into in Europe?
- How to travel Europe by train
- How much is a Europass?
- Can I buy Rail Europe tickets at the station?
- Can I buy a rail pass in Europe?
- Can I buy Eurostar tickets on the station?
- Where can I buy Euros from?
- What denominations do Euros come in?
- Can I buy Euros at any bank?
- How do I convert dollars to Euros?
- Can I buy Euros with a credit card?
- Does Sweden use the Euro?
- Does the United Kingdom use the Euro?
- Does Denmark use the Euro?
- How long can an American stay in Europe for?
- Which countries are in the Schengen Area?
- What is the most spoken language in Europe?
- How many different languages are spoken in Europe?
- How many countries are there in Europe?
- What countries are in Eastern Europe?
- What countries are in Western Europe?
- What is Northern Europe?
- What countries are not in the European Union?
External links
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- Wikipedia - French wikipedia page
- Apple - official iPhone 3G user guide
- iec.ch - Type C power outlet
- 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..
- USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
- iec.ch - Type E power outlet
- Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
- Universal multi-device USB wall charger - Designed for international use, universal wall chargers includes interchangeable regional plug heads which supports 100V to 240V voltages, making them ideal for powering USB devices in over 150 countries..