How to charge the iPhone 3G when planning a trip to Sao Tome

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 3G with a Sao Tome power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pin Type C USB charger and how to charge the iPhone 3G using a two pinned Type F power plug.

Sao Tome power outlet

Various frequencies and region codes can often be daunting when planning on staying in a foreign country for the first time traveller. When visiting Sao Tome these instructions show how to power the iPhone 3G using their standard types F or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets. When you are visiting Sao Tome from another country please make sure that your iPhone 3G can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120v ensure the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from overheating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Sao Tome

Can the iPhone 3G be used in Sao Tome?

You can use the iPhone 3G in Sao Tome by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Sao Tome?

When travelling to more than one country and bringing along more than just your iPhone 3G the best international travel power adapter for Sao Tome is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Sao Tomean use two different standards of plug sockets (types F and C) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by changing the included plugs. If your model of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these power adapters, and support for more power hungry devices. This will allow you to recharge more than one device at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters for your trip or using up additional wall sockets. By only packing a single international USB travel charger will keep the size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers and using only a single wall outlet.

We recommend searching for a flexible travel adapter similar to this online. The travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Sao Tome

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 3G, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting Sao Tome.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This offers the same functionality as the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 Sao Tome. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in Sao Tome?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Sao Tome power outlet

Using a USB 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type C power charger to recharge the iPhone 3G with a Sao Tome power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 3G using a Sao Tome power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (typically already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Begin by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Sao Tome power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in 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 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the mobile screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is charging, typically taking around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Sao Tome power outlet

Charging the iPhone 3G from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 3G with a Sao Tome power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pin Type F USB charger.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 3G using the Sao Tome power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally supply this cable when you buy the iPhone 3G.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Sao Tome power outlet. You can identify the plug supply by two large circular holes 19 mm apart from each other, plus a pair of metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in 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 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the cell screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is recharging which should take around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3G from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia page about Sao Tome
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G 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..