Charging the iPhone 4 in Laos

Instructions on how to charge the iPhone 4 from a Lao power outlet using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type C power charger, charging the iPhone 4 using a two pin Type E USB charger and how to charge the iPhone 4 using a two pinned Type F power plug

Lao power outlet

Complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets used in the world this article tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPhone 4 in Laos. These instructions were specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 4 abroad.This page contains a useful guide which shows how to power your iPhone 4 when you're travelling to Laos using their standard types F, C or E 230 volt 50Hz power outlets. Most power sockets change depending on which country you are travelling to therefore we recommend reading the World power supplies page for a full list of countries. If you are travelling to Laos from a different country please ensure that your iPhone 4 can be used with a 240 volt supply. If the iPhone 4 was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v ensure that the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from being damaged whilst powering it. If you plan to visit a Lao place such as Vientiane please read the Lao Wikipedia web page [1] for more indepth details. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4.

Charging the iPhone 4 in Laos

Can you use the iPhone 4 in Laos?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 4 to a Lao power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone 4 in Laos?

If travelling with more than just your iPhone 4 then the best travel adapter for Laos to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Laos use three different standards of power outlets (F, C and E) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your iPhone 4 supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of power adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel chargers this means you can charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack individual travel adapters for your trip or using up additional wall outlets. Only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets using just a single plug socket.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer - the multipurpose 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 Laos

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 4, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 adapter for travellers originating from America going to Laos using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Laos. [9] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPhone 4 in Laos?

Powering the iPhone 4 with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A guide on how to charge the iPhone 4 from a Lao power outlet using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pin Type C USB charger.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 4 from a Lao power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - normally already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. The wall supply (sometimes known as a Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug) is identified by two adjacent holes next to each other where the plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is recharging which takes around 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type E power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from a Lao power outlet

Using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type E power charger to recharge the iPhone 4 from a Lao power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 4 using a Lao power outlet you will need to use a Type E 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 4.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type E USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Lao power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two 4.8mm circular holes 19mm apart from each other with a single long metal earth pin protruding from the top in a triangular pattern.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the Lao 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 phone is powering up taking between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from a Lao power outlet

Powering the iPhone 4 with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

A guide on how to recharge the iPhone 4 from a Lao power outlet using a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type F USB charger.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 4 from the Lao power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally already supplied with the device).
  2. Plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This recessed circular wall supply (known as the Schuko outlet) can be identified by two holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins, plus metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 4 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging which typically takes around 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a Lao power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Lao Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 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. 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..