How to charge your iPhone 5C from a power outlet in Belgium

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 5C from a Belgian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a double pin Type C Europlug USB adapter and how to charge the iPhone 5C using a Type E USB adapter.

Belgian power outlet

If organizing to travel to Belgium it is useful to know in advance if you can charge your common devices such as mobile phones or laptop computers that you are bringing along. However without knowing which wall socket to expect you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, leaving you needing to purchase a suitable charger when you arrive. Varying complicated region codes and plug types can all be confusing when planning to travel to a different country especially for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of standards being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what you'll need in advance to power your iPhone 5C in Belgium. This guide was specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5C abroad.This useful guide shows how to power the iPhone 5C when visiting Belgium by using the standard Type E or C 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, please be aware that Type E wall outlets will be normally used by most Belgians. When visiting Belgium from another country please ensure your iPhone 5C can be used with a 240v supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts ensure that the iPhone 5C is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from being damaged during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Belgium

Can the iPhone 5C be used in Belgium?

You can connect the iPhone 5C to a Belgian power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5C in Belgium?

When travelling to multiple countries the best travel power adapter for Belgium to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of wall outlets in Belgium (E and C) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the plugs over. If your model of iPhone 5C can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of power chargers and additional compatibility with more power hungry devices. Having a 4 port adapter means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring individual power chargers for your trip. Because you are only packing a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling and convenient for charging your iPhone 5C at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single plug socket.

For those travelling frequently we recommend searching for this type of flexible power charger at your preferred electronics retailer. The travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Belgium

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America going to Belgium.
  • 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 North America using type B plugs and gives the same functionality as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Belgium. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5C in Belgium?

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

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 5C with a Belgian power outlet with an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Europlug Type C USB adapter.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 5C using a Belgian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this cable is usually already included with your device).
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. This plug outlet, sometimes known as a Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug, is recognised by two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains power 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. Turn on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the cell screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging taking between 1-4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 5C from a Belgian power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

Using a Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type E USB adapter to power your iPhone 5C from a Belgian power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 5C using the Belgian power outlet you'll need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will normally include the USB cable when you first purchase the iPhone 5C.
  2. Insert the Type E USB power plug adapter in the Belgian power outlet. The recessed circular power supply, also called a CEE 7/7 plug, can be recognised by the two large circular adjacent holes next to each other with a single long metal grounding pin protruding in the top in a triangle pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple cord into the power 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 your iPhone 5C.
  4. Switch on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your phone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5C is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5C from a Belgian power outlet by using a two pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Belgium 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 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..