Charging the iPhone 3GS from a power outlet in Ethiopia

Instructions on how to charge your iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple cable and a Type C power adapter, charging the iPhone 3GS using a two pinned Type E power charger and powering the iPhone 3GS using a two pinned Type F power charger

Ethiopian power outlet

Differing frequencies and standards can all be daunting when planning on staying in a foreign country, especially for the first time traveller. However this isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPhone 3GS in Ethiopia. These guidelines were specifically written to assist people wanting to power the iPhone 3GS when they are going abroad.This page contains instructions showing you exactly what you'll need to charge the iPhone 3GS when you're visiting Ethiopia using their standard Type E, C, F or L 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets. If travelling to Ethiopia from a different country ensure that your iPhone 3GS can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts check the iPhone 3GS is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from being damaged whilst powering it up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Ethiopia

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in Ethiopia?

You can connect the iPhone 3GS to an Ethiopian power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Ethiopia?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPhone 3GS then the best international travel charger for Ethiopia to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Ethiopians use four different standards of power outlets (types E, C, F and L) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the included plugs over. If your iPhone 3GS supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster charging times with one of these types of USB power adapters, plus compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters this means you can recharge multiple devices at once without needing to bring individual power adapters on your trip. Because you are only bringing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest searching for a multipurpose power adapter like this online. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Ethiopia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 3GS, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Ethiopia and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power converter for travellers originating from North America going to Ethiopia.
  • 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 from the US using type B plugs and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Ethiopia. [11] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Ethiopia?

Charging the iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using a 30-pin connector and a Type C USB adapter to power the iPhone 3GS with an Ethiopian power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 3GS using the Ethiopian power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple usually include the cable when you buy the iPhone 3GS.
  2. Firstly you'll need to plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise the wall supply by the 2 circular holes next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins sit.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB mains 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. Switch on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your cell will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which should take around one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet

Instructions on how to power the iPhone 3GS with an Ethiopian power outlet with the Apple 30-pin connector with a Type E USB charger.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 3GS using the Ethiopian power outlet you'll need a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually include the cable when you buy the iPhone 3GS).
  2. Start by plugging the Type E USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the two 4.8mm circular holes 19mm apart from each other for live and neutral and a single metal grounding pin protruding in the top to form a triangle shape.
  3. Then connect 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. Switch on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes around 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet

Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a 30 pin cable and a Type F power adapter to power your iPhone 3GS with an Ethiopian power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPhone 3GS by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This recessed circular wall outlet can be recognised by the two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go, plus a pair of thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect 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. Switch on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes around 1 - 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

Using the 30-pin Apple connector with a 3 pin Type L USB charger to recharge the iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 3GS from an Ethiopian power outlet you'll need to use a Type L USB power plug adapter [10] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is normally already supplied with your iPhone 3GS by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type L USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise this squashed hexagon shaped wall outlet by the 3 large circular holes forming a line for live, neutral and earth. Note there are two types of Type L plug supply, one rated for 10 amps and one at 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm round pins spaced 5.5mm apart whilst a 16 amp version has larger 5mm pins that are spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Plug in one end of the 30 pin cable into the USB mains 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. Turn on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 3GS screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3GS is charging, typically taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Ethiopian Wiki page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS 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. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  10. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  11. 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..