Charging the iPhone 3G when planning a trip to Slovakia

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter to recharge the iPhone 3G from a Slovak power outlet and how to power the iPhone 3G using a 2 pin Type E power charger.

Slovak power outlet

Various combinations of frequencies and standards can often be confusing when planning on visiting another country for the first time traveller. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards being used in the world this article shows exactly what to buy in advance to power your iPhone 3G . This guide has been written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 3G when you're visiting abroad.The following guide tells you exactly what you'll need to charge your iPhone 3G when you are in Slovakia using the Type E or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets. You will discover power supplies will vary depending on which region you are visiting therefore please read the power supplies page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to Slovakia from a different country please check the iPhone 3G can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone 3G was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check that the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from being damaged when charging it. If you plan to stay in a destination such as Bratislava we suggest reading the Slovak country entry on Wikipedia [1] for more details. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Slovakia

Can you use the iPhone 3G in Slovakia?

You can use the iPhone 3G in Slovakia by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Slovakia?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPhone 3G then the best travel charger for Slovakia to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets in Slovakia (E and C) and bringing this ensures 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 in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the included heads. If your iPhone 3G can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel adapters and compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

This means you can charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy seperate travel chargers. By only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of travel chargers can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

If you travel often we suggest searching for this type of flexible travel charger online; the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Slovakia

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 those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Slovakia and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Slovakia.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Slovakia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Slovakia?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Slovak power outlet

Using the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type C USB charger to charge your iPhone 3G with a Slovak power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 3G using the Slovak power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPhone 3G by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded plug supply is identified by the 2 circular holes next to each other where the twin plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in 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 Slovak power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Slovak power outlet

Charging the iPhone 3G from a Slovak power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 3G with a Slovak power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a 2 pin Type E power adapter.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 3G using the Slovak power outlet you will need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPhone 3G).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type E USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The circular wall outlet (sometimes called the CEE 7/7 outlet or Type E power outlet [6]) can be identified by the two circular holes 19mm apart from each other where the two plug outlet pins slide into plus one long metal grounding pin protruding the top to form a triangle pattern.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple 30 pin cord into the bottom of the USB 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.
  4. Switch on the Slovak power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is charging taking roughly one-four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3G from a Slovak power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Slovak country entry on Wikipedia
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  7. 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..
  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..