Charging the iPhone 5C when staying in China

A guide showing how to charge the iPhone 5C from a Chinese power outlet by using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type I power adapter, charging the iPhone 5C using a two pin Type A USB plug and how to charge the iPhone 5C using a Europlug Type C USB charger

Chinese power outlet

Various combinations of standards and plug types can often lead to confusion when planning on visiting another country, especially to the first time traveller. This isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards being used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPhone 5C in China. These instructions have been written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 5C when you're in staying in China.When you're planning a vacation to China these useful instructions show how to power your iPhone 5C by using their types I, A or C Chinese 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Chinese will use Type I power outlets. When travelling to China from another country make sure that the iPhone 5C can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your iPhone 5C is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating during charging. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in China

Can the iPhone 5C be used in China?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 5C in China.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5C in China?

When travelling to multiple countries or bringing more than your iPhone 5C the best international travel charger for China to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three types of power outlets that Chinese use (I, A and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by switching the supplied heads. If your model of iPhone 5C is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these travel chargers along with support for more power hungry devices.

This will also allow you to power multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy seperate travel adapters. By only needing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers without needing an additional wall outlet.

We recommend 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 tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for China

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 5C, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial when visiting counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North 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 portable power adapter for travellers originating from America going to China using type B American 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 from America using type B plugs. This gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 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 China. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 5C in China?

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

Using a USB Lightning connector and a Type A USB adapter to power your iPhone 5C with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 5C using a Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPhone 5C by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Chinese power outlet. This plug supply (known as the Type A power outlet [3]) is recognised by 2 thin adjacent slots next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the Lightning charging cord into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging taking around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5C from a Chinese power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

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

A guide on how to charge the iPhone 5C from a Chinese power outlet by using a USB Lightning connector and a Europlug Type C USB charger.

  1. To power the iPhone 5C using a Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPhone 5C by Apple.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Chinese power outlet. This plug supply, also known as a Type C power outlet [6] or Europlug, can be identified by the two adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the Lightning power cord into the USB mains adapter 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 the iPhone 5C.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging taking around one-four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5C from a Chinese power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5C with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

A guide showing how to charge the iPhone 5C from a Chinese power outlet by using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type I power adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPhone 5C from a Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type I USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the USB cable is typically supplied with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type I USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by three thin slots for the live, neutral and ground blades. Please note that the live and neutral pins are reversed compared to Argentinian plug outlets therefore check that your Type I travel adaptor is compatible with a Chinese power supply.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Chinese 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 roughly 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type I USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia web page about China
  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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  9. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  10. 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..