Charging the iPhone 3GS when planning a trip to Switzerland

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 3GS with a Swiss power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter and how to power the iPhone 3GS using a 3 pin Type J power adapter.

Swiss power outlet

Varying different voltages and region codes can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially if you've never been there before. This page was written to stop people worrying if they'll be able to charge the iPhone 3GS when they're travelling to Switzerland.If visiting Switzerland these instructions show powering the iPhone 3GS by using their standard J or C type Swiss 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of Swiss will use the Type J plug outlets. If you are visiting Switzerland from another country ensure that your iPhone 3GS can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure your iPhone 3GS is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to avoid the device from overloading whilst powering it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Switzerland

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in Switzerland?

You can connect the iPhone 3GS to a Swiss power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3GS in Switzerland?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPhone 3GS then the best travel charger for Switzerland 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 that Swiss use (J 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 around the world simply by changing the included heads. If your iPhone 3GS can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

This means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy individual power adapters. By only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying an adaptable travel charger like this online - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Switzerland

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, 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 option for travellers originating from America going to Switzerland using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also 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 and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Switzerland. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3GS in Switzerland?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Swiss power outlet

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 3GS with a Swiss power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 3GS using the Swiss 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 3GS).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded plug supply, sometimes called the Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug, can be recognised by 2 circular adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the Swiss power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3GS screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Swiss power outlet

Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Swiss power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type J power charger to recharge your iPhone 3GS with a Swiss power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 3GS from a Swiss power outlet you'll need a Type J USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually supplied with your iPhone 3GS.
  2. Insert the Type J USB power plug adapter into the Swiss power outlet. This flattened hexagon shaped plug supply, technically called the Type J power outlet [6], looks like 3 large holes forming a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Swiss 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 3GS is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Swiss power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org web page about Switzerland
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS 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 J power outlet
  7. Type J USB power plug adapter - Type J USB chargers have three rounded pins placed in a flattened triangular pattern with the top pin acting as an earth.
  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..