Charging the iPhone 5C when planning a trip to Switzerland

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 5C with a Swiss power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Europlug Type C power adapter and how to power the iPhone 5C using a 3 pin Type J power charger.

Swiss power outlet

Varying complicated region codes and voltages can all be daunting when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. These instructions have been specifically written to stop people worrying if they'll be able to charge their iPhone 5C when staying in Switzerland.When you are visiting Switzerland these instructions show how to supply power to the iPhone 5C by using their standard J or C type Swiss 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you will discover a majority of Swiss typically use Type J plugs in their plug outlets. Power sockets differ depending on which area you are visiting so we suggest reading the power supplies page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to Switzerland from a different region make sure your iPhone 5C can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v check that the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from overloading when powering up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Switzerland

Can you use the iPhone 5C in Switzerland?

You can use the iPhone 5C in Switzerland by using a power adaptor.

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

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPhone 5C then the best international travel adapter for Switzerland is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Swiss use two different types of power outlets (types J and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPhone 5C supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy seperate travel chargers or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only packing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage and on hand for recharging your iPhone 5C at an airport or on the plane. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to Switzerland we suggest searching for an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Switzerland

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be useful when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Switzerland 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 portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Switzerland using 3 pin type B 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 the US using type B plugs. This gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Switzerland. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in Switzerland?

Powering the iPhone 5C with a Swiss power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type C Europlug power charger to recharge your iPhone 5C with a Swiss power outlet.

  1. To power your iPhone 5C using the Swiss power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. The power outlet, also known as a Europlug, can be recognised by 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Swiss power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 5C screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is charging which typically takes around 1-4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Swiss power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

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

Using a Lightning connector and a 3 pin Type J power adapter to power the iPhone 5C from a Swiss power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 5C from a Swiss power outlet you will need to use a Type J USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually include this USB cable with the iPhone 5C).
  2. Start by taking the Type J USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can identify the hexagon shaped wall outlet by the three round holes in a flattened triangle shape for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB power cable into the USB charger 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 Swiss power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the mobile is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Swiss power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Switzerland Wikipedia 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 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 J power outlet
  7. Type J USB power plug adapter - Type J USB chargers have three rounded pins placed in a flattened triangular pattern with the top pin acting as an earth.
  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..