How to charge the iPhone 3GS when planning a trip to Barbados

Using a USB 30-pin connector and a 2 pinned Type A power charger to charge the iPhone 3GS from a Barbadian power outlet and recharging the iPhone 3GS using a three pin Type B USB plug.

Barbadian power outlet

Varying different combinations of voltages and standards can all be confusing when planning to visit another country to the first time traveller. When you're travelling to Barbados this page has useful instructions showing how to supply power to your iPhone 3GS by using the B or A type Barbadian 115 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please note that Type B power outlets are typically used by a majority of Bajans. When travelling anywhere you'll find power sockets will change regionally so please read our Wikiconnections world power connections guide for a full list of regions and countries. If the iPhone 3GS slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are travelling to Barbados from another country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which come from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts can take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check that the device is dual-voltage (usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. If you are planning to visit a city like Bridgetown we recommend reading the Barbados Wiki page [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Barbados

Can the iPhone 3GS be used in Barbados?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 3GS in Barbados by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Barbados?

When travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for Barbados to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Barbadians use two different standards of plug sockets (types B and A) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your iPhone 3GS supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers, along with support for more power hungry devices like tablets. This will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers. Because you are only needing to bring a single travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel to different continents we recommend buying this type of flexible travel adapter at an electronics retailer - the power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Barbados

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 3GS, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK 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 going to Barbados 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 functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Barbados. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Barbados?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Barbadian power outlet

Using a USB 30 pin connector and a Type A power adapter to charge the iPhone 3GS from a Barbadian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 3GS using a Barbadian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple normally supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPhone 3GS).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Barbadian power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two thin adjacent slots next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the Barbadian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up which typically takes between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Barbadian power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Barbadian power outlet

A step by step guide showing how to power your iPhone 3GS with a Barbadian power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin connector and a three pinned Type B power charger.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 3GS using a Barbadian power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPhone 3GS).
  2. Insert the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Barbadian power outlet. The wall supply, technically known as a Type B power outlet [6], can be identified by the 2 slots where the plug outlet blades go with a single hole below for the longer ground pin.
  3. Connect one end of the cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Barbadian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 3GS will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Barbadian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Barbados Wiki page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS user guide
  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..