How to charge the iPhone 5S from a power outlet in Italy

A step-by-step guide showing how to charge your iPhone 5S from an Italian power outlet using the Lightning Apple cable with a Europlug Type C USB adapter, charging the iPhone 5S using a Type F power adapter and how to recharge the iPhone 5S using a 3 pinned Type L power plug

Italian power outlet

Various combinations of standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country, especially if you've never visited before. These instructions were written to stop you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5S abroad.When going to Italy this page contains instructions showing how to supply power to your iPhone 5S by using the standard Type L, C or F 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type L plug outlets will be typically used by most Italians. Power sources will vary regionally so we recommend that you read the WikiConnections world power connections guide for a full list showing charging devices in different destinations. If you are travelling to Italy from a different country make sure the iPhone 5S can be charged using a 240v supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts ensure your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Italy

Can you use the iPhone 5S in Italy?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 5S in Italy by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5S in Italy?

When you are travelling to more than one country the best international travel power adapter for Italy 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 Italians use (L, C and F) and using a travel charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type 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 5S is compatible with Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers along with additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices.

This 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 weight down, making it perfect to fold up 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 at your preferred electronics retailer. 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 Italy

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 Italy.
  • 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 Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5S in Italy?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from an Italian power outlet

A step-by-step guide showing how to charge your iPhone 5S from an Italian power outlet using the Lightning Apple cable with a Europlug Type C USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S from the Italian power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include the cable when you first purchase your iPhone 5S).
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. The plug outlet can be recognised by the two round adjacent holes where the twin plug outlet pins go.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the Apple Lightning power cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is charging, typically taking around one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from an Italian power outlet

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

Using the Lightning Apple cable with a Type F USB adapter to charge the iPhone 5S from an Italian power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 5S using the Italian power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple should usually supply the USB cable when you purchase the iPhone 5S.
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter in the Italian power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the two pins slide into, plus metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the cellphone 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 5S with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

How to use a Type L power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from an Italian power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple connector with a Type L power charger to charge the iPhone 5S with an Italian power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPhone 5S from the Italian power outlet you'll need a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should usually include the USB cable when you first purchase your iPhone 5S).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type L USB power plug adapter into the power supply. This hexagon shaped plug outlet (sometimes known as the Type L power outlet [8]) can be identified by three holes forming a line. There are two types of Type L plug outlet, one rated for 10 amps and one for 16 amps. The 10 amp power supply has 4mm round pins that are spaced 5.5mm apart and a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm thick pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple cable into the bottom of the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Switch on the Italian 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 L power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from an Italian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italy 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 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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  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..