Charging your iPhone 3G from a power outlet in Mexico

A guide showing how to charge your iPhone 3G with a Mexican power outlet with the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a three pinned Type A power adapter and recharging the iPhone 3G using a Type B USB plug.

Mexican power outlet

If you are planning a vacation it can often be helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge all your indispensable electrical devices at your hotel. But by not knowing which power supply is being used you are likely to bring the wrong adaptor, meaning having to purchase a potentially expensive adaptor on arrival that could be incompatible and damage the device. Various combinations of voltages and region codes can all 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 guide tells you exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge the iPhone 3G . These instructions have been written to help assist people wanting to power the iPhone 3G when they are abroad.This simple guide will show exactly what you'll need to power your iPhone 3G when you are travelling to Mexico using the Type B or A Mexican 127 volt 60Hz power outlets, most Mexicans typically use Type B plugs in their plug outlets. Type A electrical sockets aren't as commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico. Power sockets vary depending on which area you are visiting therefore please read the travel power supplies page for a complete list of regions and countries. If the iPhone 3G doesn't power up or recharges slowly when travelling to Mexico from a different country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originate from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check your iPhone 3G is dual-voltage (normally indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Mexico

Can the iPhone 3G be used in Mexico?

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

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Mexico?

If you are travelling with more than your iPhone 3G the best international travel adapter for Mexico to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of power outlets that Mexicans use (B and A) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type A. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, plus additional support for more power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters this means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy individual travel 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. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers using only a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Mexico we recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Mexico

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 3G, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 best selling compact option for travellers originating from America visiting Mexico.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a generous 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Mexico. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Mexico?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Mexican power outlet

A guide showing how to charge your iPhone 3G with a Mexican power outlet with the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a three pinned Type A power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPhone 3G from a Mexican power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], the USB cable is normally already included with the iPhone 3G.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded power outlet, sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [3], can be recognised by 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into. Note that Type A power sockets are less commonplace but still used in some hotels in Mexico.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power 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. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is charging which should take between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Mexican power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Mexican power outlet

Using the Apple 30-pin cable and a 3 pin Type B power charger to charge your iPhone 3G with a Mexican power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 3G from a Mexican power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually include this cable with the iPhone 3G).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the wall supply. You can identify this plug supply by the two thin slots where the live and neutral blades go with a single hole below for the earth pin. The most common sockets found in Mexico are Type B electrical outlets.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power 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 Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3G screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is charging and takes around one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Mexican power outlet

See also

  1. Visitmexico - Visit Mexico Web Site
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G 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..