How to charge the iPhone 3G when planning a trip to Belgium

A step by step guide showing how to recharge your iPhone 3G from a Belgian power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin cable with a two pin Type C USB charger and how to recharge the iPhone 3G using a 2 pinned Type E power plug.

Belgian power outlet

Various combinations of frequencies and region codes can often lead to confusion when planning on staying in a different country especially if you've never been there before. This isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this article shows exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPhone 3G . This page was specifically written to stop people having to worry if they'll be able to power the iPhone 3G when they are staying abroad.If you are planning a vacation to Belgium this page has instructions showing powering your iPhone 3G by using the E or C type Belgian 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, Type E wall outlets will be normally used by most Belgians. When travelling to Belgium from another country check the iPhone 3G can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure that your device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from being damaged during charging. If you plan on visiting a Belgian destination like Brussels or Antwerp we also recommend referring to the Wikipedia.org entry about Belgium [1] for more information prior to the location. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Belgium

Can you use the iPhone 3G in Belgium?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 3G to a Belgian power outlet.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Belgium?

When travelling to more than one country and bringing more than just your iPhone 3G the best international travel power adapter for Belgium is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Belgians use two different types of plug sockets (types E and C) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by changing the included plugs. If your model of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these travel adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices. Having a 4 port adapter will also allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers or using up additional wall outlets. Only needing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage whilst travelling as well as being on hand for recharging your iPhone 3G at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling often we recommend buying this type of flexible travel adapter at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Belgium

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Belgium 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 most popular portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting Belgium using type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also 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 and offers almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for 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 ideal for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Belgium. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Belgium?

Powering the iPhone 3G with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a USB 30 pin connector and a 2 pinned Type C power charger to charge the iPhone 3G from a Belgian power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPhone 3G from the Belgian power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually supply the USB cable when you purchase your iPhone 3G).
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The plug supply (called the Europlug) can be identified by the 2 holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins sit.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains 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 Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is recharging which should take around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type E power charger for charging your iPhone 3G from a Belgian power outlet

Using a USB 30 pin connector and a 2 pinned Type E power charger to recharge the iPhone 3G with a Belgian power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 3G from a Belgian power outlet you will need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will usually supply the USB cable with your iPhone 3G).
  2. Begin by taking the Type E USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two 4.8mm circular adjacent holes plus a metal grounding pin protruding in the top forming a triangular pattern.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains 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. Switch on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for charging your iPhone 3G from a Belgian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Belgium
  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..