How to charge your iPhone 5 from a power outlet in America

Instructions on how to power your iPhone 5 from an American power outlet using the Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB charger and charging the iPhone 5 using a 3 pinned Type B power plug.

American power outlet

Complicated voltages and standards can often be confusing when planning to visit another country, especially if you've never been there before. The following step by step instructions tells you exactly how to power the iPhone 5 when you're in America by using the B or A type 120 volt 60Hz power outlets, please note that Type B plug outlets are used by most Americans. If your iPhone 5 charges slowly or does not power up when travelling to America from another region check that it is compatible with a 120 volt power supply. Devices which come from another country which use a higher voltage such as 240 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, so check that your device is dual-voltage (you'll find these are usually marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5.

Charging the iPhone 5 in America

Can the iPhone 5 be used in America?

You can connect the iPhone 5 to an American power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5 in America?

If travelling to multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for America is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Americans use two different types of plug sockets (B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPhone 5 is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these travel adapters, along with additional support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power chargers on your trip to America. Only needing to pack a single international travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand luggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPhone 5 at an airport or on the plane. Because of their flexibility these types of adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest buying a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for America

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both America and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting America using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting America. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5 in America?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from an American power outlet

Instructions on how to power your iPhone 5 from an American power outlet using the Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB charger.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 5 from the American power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include this cable with your iPhone 5.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. The power supply, sometimes called the Type A power outlet [3], can be identified by 2 slots next to each other where the twin plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5 under the home button.
  4. Turn on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 5 will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from an American power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from an American power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple connector and a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter to power your iPhone 5 from an American power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 5 using the American power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPhone 5.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes called a Type B power outlet [6], is recognised by two thin slots parallel to each other with a semicircle shaped hole below for the ground pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of your iPhone 5.
  4. Switch on the American 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 5 is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from an American power outlet

See also

  1. Visittheusa - Visit The USA
  2. Apple - official iPhone 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 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 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..