How to charge the iPhone 4S when planning a trip to Barbados

A guide showing how to power the iPhone 4S with a Barbadian power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type A power adapter and powering the iPhone 4S using a Type B power adapter.

Barbadian power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. These instructions were specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 4S abroad.When visiting Barbados this page has useful instructions showing you how to charge your iPhone 4S by using the standard B or A type 115 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please be aware that Type B plug outlets are normally used by a majority of Barbadians. You will find power will differ depending on which area you are travelling to so we suggest reading the North America page for a full list of countries. If your iPhone 4S slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are visiting Barbados from another region then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally electrical devices which come from a different country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't turn on, check that the device is dual-voltage (you'll find these are normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4S.

Charging the iPhone 4S in Barbados

Can the iPhone 4S be used in Barbados?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 4S in Barbados by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 4S in Barbados?

When travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for Barbados to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Barbadians use two different standards of plug sockets (types B and A) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your iPhone 4S supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers, along with support for more power hungry devices like tablets. This will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers. Because you are only needing to bring a single travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel to different continents we recommend buying this type of flexible travel adapter at an electronics retailer - the power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Barbados

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 4S, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These travel 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 converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from North America going to Barbados using type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and offers almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a flexible 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Barbados. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 4S in Barbados?

Powering the iPhone 4S with a Barbadian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

A guide on how to recharge the iPhone 4S with a Barbadian power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type A USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 4S from a Barbadian power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple typically supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPhone 4S.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The power supply, sometimes known as the Type A power outlet [3], can be identified by the 2 slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Switch on the Barbadian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 4S is recharging which takes around 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4S with a Barbadian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 4S with a Barbadian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a three pinned Type B power charger to recharge the iPhone 4S with a Barbadian power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPhone 4S from the Barbadian power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will normally supply this cable when you buy the iPhone 4S.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. This plug outlet (technically called a Type B power outlet [6]) is recognised by two thin slots parallel to each other with a semicircular shaped hole below for the earthed pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Turn on the Barbadian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4S is charging, typically taking roughly one-four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4S with a Barbadian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Barbados country Wiki page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 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. 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..