How to charge the iPhone 5 when staying in Latvia

A page on how to power your iPhone 5 from a Latvian power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C USB charger and powering the iPhone 5 using a two pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter.

Latvian power outlet

Different combinations of voltages and plugs can all cause confusion when planning on visiting another country especially if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of common standards used in the world this guide shows exactly what to buy in advance to charge your iPhone 5 in Latvia. This guide was specifically written to stop you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 5 abroad.If you are going to travel to Latvia these useful instructions show how to charge the iPhone 5 using their F or C type 230 volt 50Hz power outlets. Power supplies differ regionally so please read the Wiki Connections travel power sockets guide where you'll find a complete list of powering devices in different regions. If travelling to Latvia from another country please make sure the iPhone 5 can accept a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from overloading whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5.

Charging the iPhone 5 in Latvia

Can the iPhone 5 be used in Latvia?

You can connect the iPhone 5 to a Latvian power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5 in Latvia?

When you are travelling to multiple countries or bringing along more than just your iPhone 5 the best travel charger for Latvia is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of wall outlets that Letts use (types F and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the plugs. If your iPhone 5 supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, and support for certain power demanding devices. Unlike other chargers having a four port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring multiple travel adapters on your trip to Latvia. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your iPhone 5 at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend searching for a flexible power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Latvia

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 5, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to Latvia.
  • 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 more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the 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 suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Latvia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 5 in Latvia?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Latvian power outlet

A page on how to power your iPhone 5 from a Latvian power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C USB charger.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 5 from the Latvian power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPhone 5).
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Latvian power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 round holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5 under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Latvian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your mobile screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a Latvian power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5 with a Latvian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a Lightning Apple connector and a Type F power charger to power your iPhone 5 from a Latvian power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone 5 from the Latvian power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPhone 5.
  2. Begin by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. You can recognise the power outlet by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm apart from each other along with a pair of two thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the cord into the USB power charger 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 Latvian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your phone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which takes roughly 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5 with a Latvian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org page about Latvia
  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 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 F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  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..