Charging your iPhone 3GS from a power outlet in Spain

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 3GS from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger and powering the iPhone 3GS using a Type F USB charger.

Spanish power outlet

Different combinations of region codes and plugs can often cause confusion when planning to travel to a new country especially for the first time traveller. These guidelines were specifically written to prepare visitors wanting to power their iPhone 3GS abroad.This page has useful instructions telling you how to charge your iPhone 3GS when travelling to Spain using the Type F or C Spanish 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type F wall outlets are typically used by most Spaniards. If visiting Spain from a different country please check the iPhone 3GS can accept a 240v supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) double check the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from over-heating whilst powering it up. If you're planning on taking a trip to somewhere like Madrid or Barcelona please refer to the Spain country entry on Wikipedia [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Spain

Can the iPhone 3GS be used in Spain?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 3GS to a Spanish power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

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

When travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPhone 3GS then the best travel adapter for Spain is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Spaniards use (F and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your iPhone 3GS supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters plus additional support for more power demanding devices.

Having a four port adapter means you can recharge more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel adapters for your Spanish trip. By only needing a single USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones without needing an additional plug socket.

If you travel on a regular basis we suggest searching for this type of flexible travel adapter online; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come 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 adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from America going to Spain.
  • 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 originating from America using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3GS in Spain?

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

Using a USB 30 pin connector with a two pinned Type C power adapter to power the iPhone 3GS with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 3GS using the Spanish power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple will usually include this USB cable with the iPhone 3GS.
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify this plug supply by the 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  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 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging, typically taking between 1 to 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

A page showing how to charge the iPhone 3GS from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a Type F USB charger.

  1. To charge the iPhone 3GS from the Spanish power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should normally supply this USB cable when you buy the iPhone 3GS).
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. The circular wall supply (sometimes called a Schuko outlet or Type F power outlet [6]) can be recognised by two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral along with two metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the mains power 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 Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3GS screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Spain country entry on Wikipedia
  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 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..