Charging the iPhone 5C when planning a trip to Sao Tome

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 5C with a Sao Tome power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C USB charger and powering the iPhone 5C using a two pin Type F USB plug.

Sao Tome power outlet

Varying different standards and plug types can often be confusing when planning on visiting another 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 5C when they're visiting abroad.If travelling to Sao Tome this page has useful instructions showing powering the iPhone 5C by using their standard F or C type Sao Tome 220 volt 50Hz power outlets. When visiting Sao Tome from another region make sure your iPhone 5C can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPhone 5C is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to avoid the device from over-heating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Sao Tome

Can you use the iPhone 5C in Sao Tome?

You can use the iPhone 5C in Sao Tome by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in Sao Tome?

If you are travelling with more than your iPhone 5C or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Sao Tome to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Sao Tomean use two different types of power outlets (types F and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPhone 5C supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power adapters for your Sao Tome trip. 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 this type of versatile power adapter 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 with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Sao Tome

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5C, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips 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 come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Sao Tome 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 compact option for travellers originating from America going to Sao Tome using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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 gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Sao Tome. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in Sao Tome?

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

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C USB charger to charge your iPhone 5C with a Sao Tome power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 5C from a Sao Tome power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually supplied with your iPhone 5C.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Sao Tome power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5C.
  4. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 5C screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging which takes roughly one to four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Sao Tome power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 5C from a Sao Tome power outlet

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 5C with a Sao Tome power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type F USB charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 5C using the Sao Tome power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPhone 5C).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The circular wall outlet, also known as a Schuko outlet or Type F power outlet [6], can be identified by the two circular holes 19 mm apart from each other where the twin plug outlet pins slide into and a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5C.
  4. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5C is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 5C from a Sao Tome power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Sao Tome 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..