How to charge the iPhone 5C in South Africa

A guide showing how to recharge the iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet using a USB Lightning Apple cable with a three pin Type M USB charger, charging the iPhone 5C using a two pin Type C Europlug power plug and charging the iPhone 5C using a two pin Type F Schuko power plug

South African power outlet

Various standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning on travelling to a new country if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of sockets being used in the world this guide tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPhone 5C in South Africa. When you are going to South Africa these useful instructions show how to power your iPhone 5C by using the Type M, C, F or N South African 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most South Africans typically use the Type M sockets in their wall outlets. Most power sockets change from region to region therefore we recommend reading the Wiki Connections world power sockets list for a complete list showing charging devices in different destinations. When you are visiting South Africa from another country please check your iPhone 5C can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPhone 5C originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) double check the iPhone 5C is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from being damaged during charging. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in South Africa

Can the iPhone 5C be used in South Africa?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 5C in South Africa.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in South Africa?

If travelling to multiple countries or bringing more than just your iPhone 5C the best international travel charger for South Africa is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different standards of plug sockets (types M, C, F and N) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the included heads. If your type of iPhone 5C can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of USB power chargers, and compatibility with more power demanding devices.

This will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power adapters on your South African trip or occupying additional wall outlets. Only needing to bring a single travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without using up an additional wall outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile power charger at an electronics retailer, the power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both South Africa and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to South Africa using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much 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 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in South Africa?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet

Instructions on how to charge your iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable and a two pinned Type C USB adapter.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 5C using the South African power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually already included with the iPhone 5C.
  2. First plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 5C screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging, typically taking around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5C with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Instructions on how to charge your iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet by using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a two pinned Type F USB adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPhone 5C from the South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually already included with your iPhone 5C by Apple).
  2. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the South African power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by the two 4.8mm circular adjacent holes next to each other, plus a pair of metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 5C screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging, typically taking around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5C with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power the iPhone 5C with a South African power outlet with a Lightning connector with a Type M USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the USB cable is usually included with the iPhone 5C).
  2. Begin by plugging the Type M USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. You can recognise the wall supply by the 3 large round holes in a triangle pattern.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Lightning cord into the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the cellphone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5C is charging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type N USB adapter to power the iPhone 5C with a South African power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 5C using a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include the cable when you buy the iPhone 5C).
  2. Insert the Type N USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. You can identify the flattened hexagon shaped power outlet by the three large holes in a flattened triangular configuration.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple charging cable into the bottom of the power adapter 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 your iPhone 5C.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your cell will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes around 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5C from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South African Wikipedia web 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. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..