Charging your iPhone 5S from a power outlet in Uruguay

A guide showing how to power the iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet using an Apple USB Lightning connector with a two pin Type C USB adapter, charging the iPhone 5S using a double pinned Type F USB plug and charging the iPhone 5S using a three pinned Type L power adapter

Uruguayan power outlet

If you are organizing a trip it's useful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge your important electronics such as mobile phones or tablets when you get there. However, by not knowing which wall socket is used in Uruguay you are likely to bring the wrong power charger, thereby leaving you needing to buy or borrow a suitable charger when you need to recharge which might be incompatible and damage the device. Complicated region codes and voltages can often be confusing when planning on visiting a foreign country, especially to the first time traveller. These instructions have been specifically written to prevent visitors having to worry if they'll be able to charge the iPhone 5S when they're travelling abroad.If planning a trip to Uruguay these instructions show powering the iPhone 5S by using the types F, C, I or L 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, Type F wall outlets are normally used by a majority of Uruguayans. When travelling to Uruguay from a different country please ensure your iPhone 5S can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPhone 5S was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) make sure your iPhone 5S is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from over-heating when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Uruguay

Can the iPhone 5S be used in Uruguay?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 5S to a Uruguayan power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 5S in Uruguay?

When travelling with more than your iPhone 5S or visiting more than one country the best international travel charger for Uruguay to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different standards of plug sockets in Uruguay (F, C, I and L) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the heads over. If your type of iPhone 5S is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from faster charging times with one of these types of travel chargers along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets. Having a four port adapter means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to bring individual power adapters or occupying additional wall sockets. Because you are only bringing a single international travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling and on hand for recharging your iPhone 5S at an airport or on your flight. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without needing an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to Uruguay we recommend buying a versatile power adapter like this at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Uruguay

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Uruguay 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 most popular portable option for travellers originating from America going to Uruguay.
  • 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 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 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Uruguay. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 5S in Uruguay?

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A step by step guide showing how to power the iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet using an Apple USB Lightning connector with a two pin Type C USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S using the Uruguayan power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is usually supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Uruguayan power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two round holes next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Uruguayan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging, typically taking roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

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

Using the Apple Lightning cable and a Type F Schuko power adapter to recharge your iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 5S from a Uruguayan power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include this USB cable with the iPhone 5S).
  2. Start by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the power supply. The sunken round plug supply, sometimes known as a Schuko plug, can be identified by the two circular holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral, plus two grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple Lightning cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Uruguayan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 5S screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is powering up which typically takes between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Uruguayan power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

A guide showing how to power your iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a three pin Type L power adapter.

  1. To charge your iPhone 5S using the Uruguayan power outlet you will need to buy a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPhone 5S by Apple).
  2. Begin by taking the Type L USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Uruguayan power outlet. This flattened hexagon shaped power outlet, sometimes known as the Type L power outlet [8], can be recognised by 3 round holes forming a line for live, neutral and earth. You'll find there are two types of Type L wall outlet rated at 10 amps and 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm round pins which are spaced 5.5mm apart, and the 16 amp version has larger 5mm thick pins that are spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Uruguayan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging, typically taking between 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Uruguayan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Uruguay entry on wikipedia
  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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  10. 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..