Charging your iPhone from a power outlet in Panama

Using the Apple USB 30-pin connector and a 2 pin Type A power charger to charge your iPhone with a Panamanian power outlet and how to power the iPhone using a 3 pin Type B USB plug.

Panamanian power outlet

Various combinations of region codes and sockets can often lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country especially for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to power your iPhone . The following instructions tells you exactly what you'll need to power your iPhone when visiting Panama using the standard B or A type Panamanian 120 volt 60Hz power outlets. If your iPhone slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when travelling to Panama from a different country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically electrical devices which come from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, check that your iPhone is dual voltage (you'll find these are usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use.

This page details the iPhone first generation, the original iPhone is missing some features which have since been introduced to more recent iPhones. Visit the Apple category page for the full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in Panama

Can the iPhone be used in Panama?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone to a Panamanian power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Panama?

If you are travelling with more than your iPhone the best international travel charger for Panama to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Panamanians use two different standards of wall outlets (types B and A) and using a travel adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type A.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the heads. If your iPhone supports Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of USB power adapters along with support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power chargers or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones without needing an additional plug socket.

We suggest searching for a flexible travel charger of this nature online; the travel 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 on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Panama

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, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 power converter for travellers originating from North America visiting Panama using type B American 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 the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Panama. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone in Panama?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone from a Panamanian power outlet

Using the Apple USB 30-pin connector and a 2 pin Type A power charger to charge your iPhone with a Panamanian power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone from a Panamanian power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - usually supplied with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by two adjacent slots next to each other where the plug outlet blades go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Panamanian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging which typically takes around one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone from a Panamanian power outlet

Powering the iPhone with a Panamanian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using a USB 30 pin connector with a Type B power adapter to power the iPhone from a Panamanian power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone from the Panamanian power outlet you will need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The power supply (sometimes called the Type B power outlet [6]) is identified by 2 thin slots for live and neutral blades with a single semicircle hole below for the longer grounded pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple cord into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Turn on the Panamanian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging, typically taking between 1 to 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a Panamanian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Panama country entry on Wikipedia
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  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..