How to charge the iPhone 5 from a power outlet in South Africa

A guide showing you how to charge your iPhone 5 from a South African power outlet using a Lightning cable and a double pinned Europlug Type C power charger, how to charge the iPhone 5 using a double pinned Schuko Type F power plug and charging the iPhone 5 using a Type M USB adapter

South African power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and voltages can often cause confusion when planning on visiting a different country especially if you've never been there before. These instructions were specifically written to help prepare travellers wanting to charge their iPhone 5 when abroad.If you are staying in South Africa this page has useful instructions showing how to charge your iPhone 5 using the standard Type M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, a majority of South Africans typically use the Type M sockets in their power outlets. When visiting South Africa from another country please double check your iPhone 5 can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v ensure that the 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 powering up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5.

Charging the iPhone 5 in South Africa

Can the iPhone 5 be used in South Africa?

You can use the iPhone 5 in South Africa by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5 in South Africa?

When you are travelling with more than your iPhone 5 and visiting multiple countries the best travel adapter for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different types of plug sockets that South Africans use (M, C, F and N) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the plugs over. If your iPhone 5 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these travel adapters, plus compatibility with 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 South African trip. By only bringing a single USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand luggage and suitable for recharging your iPhone 5 at an airport or on a plane. Due to their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel to South Africa we recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter 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 South Africa

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 5, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both South Africa and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting South Africa using type B US plug sockets.
  • 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 the US using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5 in South Africa?

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

Using the Apple Lightning connector and a double pinned Europlug Type C power charger to charge the iPhone 5 with a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 5 from the South African power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is typically included with the iPhone 5 by Apple).
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the power outlet. The plug supply, also called the Europlug, is identified by two round adjacent holes.
  3. Then connect one end of the charging cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of your iPhone 5.
  4. Turn on the South African 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 5 is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5 with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a South African power outlet

Using the Apple Lightning cable and a double pinned Schuko Type F power charger to recharge the iPhone 5 with a South African power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 5 from a South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple will usually supply the USB cable when you purchase the iPhone 5.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the two round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral and two thin grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the charging cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of your iPhone 5.
  4. Switch on the South African 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 is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5 from a South African power outlet

How to use a Type M power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from a South African power outlet

Using the Apple Lightning connector and a 3 pinned Type M power charger to recharge the iPhone 5 with a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPhone 5 using a South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually already included with your device by Apple).
  2. Plug in the Type M USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. This wall outlet, technically known as a Type M power outlet [8], looks like three holes in a triangular pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple power cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of your iPhone 5.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging taking around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type M power charger for charging your iPhone 5 from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a Type N power charger to charge the iPhone 5 from a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 5 using the South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the USB cable is usually already included with your iPhone 5 by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type N USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This squashed hexagon shaped plug supply (technically called a Type N power outlet [10]) can be recognised by the three large holes in a flattened triangular shape for live, neutral and ground.
  3. Then connect one end of the charging cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 situated at the bottom of your iPhone 5.
  4. Turn on the South African 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 5 is recharging which should take around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about South Africa
  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 M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..