How to charge the iPhone 4 when planning a trip to Belgium

A guide showing you how to charge your iPhone 4 from a Belgian power outlet by using a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a Type C USB adapter and how to charge the iPhone 4 using a two pinned Type E power plug.

Belgian power outlet

Different combinations of standards and voltages can often cause confusion when planning to stay in a different country, especially if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of common standards being used throughout the world this article shows exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPhone 4 in Belgium. This guide was written to prevent people needing to worry if they'll be able to power their iPhone 4 abroad.This page is a simple guide demonstrating exactly how to supply power to your iPhone 4 when you are in Belgium by using their Type E or C Belgian 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, you will find most Belgians will use Type E plug outlets. If travelling to Belgium from a different region make sure that the iPhone 4 can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPhone 4 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) double check your iPhone 4 is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from being damaged whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4.

Charging the iPhone 4 in Belgium

Can you use the iPhone 4 in Belgium?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 4 to a Belgian power outlet.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 4 in Belgium?

When travelling to more than one country and bringing more than just your iPhone 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 in Belgium?

Powering the iPhone 4 with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a USB 30-pin connector and a two pinned Type C power charger to recharge the iPhone 4 with a Belgian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 4 from the Belgian power outlet you'll 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 4.
  2. Plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This plug outlet, also called the Europlug, is identified by two round holes next to each other.
  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 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 4 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 4 with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type E USB charger to power the iPhone 4 with a Belgian power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPhone 4 from the Belgian power outlet you will need a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually supply the USB cable when you purchase your iPhone 4).
  2. Start by taking the Type E USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the two round adjacent holes next to each other where the plug outlet pins go plus a single metal earth pin protruding from the top in 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 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 4 will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Belgium Wiki 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 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..