How to charge your iPhone 3G from a power outlet in Thailand

Instructions on how to charge the iPhone 3G with a Thai power outlet with a USB 30-pin cable with a Type B power adapter, how to charge the iPhone 3G using a two pin Type A USB charger and recharging the iPhone 3G using a 2 pinned Type C power plug

Thai power outlet

Various voltages and region codes can all be daunting when planning to travel to a different country, especially if you've never been there before. This isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets used in the world this guide tells you exactly what you'll need in advance to power your iPhone 3G in Thailand. These instructions were written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 3G abroad.If going to Thailand this page has instructions showing how to charge your iPhone 3G using the standard types B, A or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type B plug outlets will be typically used by a majority of Thai. Power supplies vary regionally so please read the power supplies page for a complete list of countries. If visiting Thailand from a different country check that the iPhone 3G can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) ensure that the device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Thailand

Can the iPhone 3G be used in Thailand?

You can use the iPhone 3G in Thailand by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 3G in Thailand?

If you are travelling to more than one country the best international travel power adapter for Thailand is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different types of plug sockets that Thai use (types B, A and C) and using a travel charger like this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the heads over. If your iPhone 3G is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers and additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel adapters having a four port charger means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power chargers or using up additional wall outlets. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers and using only a single wall outlet.

We suggest buying this type of versatile travel adapter online. The travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Thailand

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting Thailand using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Thailand. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone 3G in Thailand?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone 3G from a Thai power outlet

A guide on how to power the iPhone 3G with a Thai power outlet with a 30 pin Apple cable with a Type A power charger.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 3G using a Thai power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], typically already supplied with the device.
  2. First plug the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Thai power outlet. The power supply (technically known as a Type A power outlet [3]) can be recognised by the two adjacent slots.
  3. Then connect one end of the cable into the USB mains 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 Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 3G will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which typically takes between 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPhone 3G from a Thai power outlet

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

Using a USB 30-pin cable with a Type B USB adapter to charge your iPhone 3G from a Thai power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 3G from a Thai power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is normally included with the iPhone 3G by Apple).
  2. Begin by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two thin slots next to each other for live and neutral blades with a semicircular hole below for the ground pin.
  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 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Thai power outlet

Powering the iPhone 3G with a Thai power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 3G from a Thai power outlet with a USB 30-pin cable with a Type C USB adapter.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 3G using the Thai power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should usually include the USB cable when you purchase the iPhone 3G.
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Thai power outlet. You can recognise the plug supply by two circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect one end of the power cord into the bottom of the mains USB 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. Turn on the Thai power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the cell screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging and takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a Thai power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Thailand Wikipedia web page
  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. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..