How to charge the iPhone 3GS when staying in Greece

A page on how to power your iPhone 3GS from a Greek power outlet with the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type C power charger and recharging the iPhone 3GS using a Type F power plug.

Greek power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all cause confusion when planning on staying in another country, especially for the first time traveller. However this isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge your iPhone 3GS in Greece. This guide will show you what you'll need to supply power to your iPhone 3GS when you are travelling to Greece by using the standard types F or C Greek 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, you'll discover most Greeks will typically use the Type F wall outlets. When you are visiting Greece from a different country check your iPhone 3GS can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from overheating when powering up. If you intend on staying in a tourist destination like Athens please read the Wikipedia entry about Greece [1] for more information on visiting the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Greece

Can the iPhone 3GS be used in Greece?

You can connect the iPhone 3GS to a Greek power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 3GS in Greece?

If travelling to more than one country the best travel charger for Greece is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Greeks use two different types of plug sockets (F and C) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the supplied heads over. If your model of iPhone 3GS can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters this will also allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel chargers. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional wall outlet.

If you travel regularly we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online, the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Greece

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 3GS, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of counties with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Greece 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 best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Greece.
  • 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 from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Greece. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPhone 3GS in Greece?

Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Greek power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type C power charger to power your iPhone 3GS from a Greek power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 3GS using a Greek power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone 3GS.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Greek power outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes known as the Europlug, is recognised by the two circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Greek power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 3GS will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3GS is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Greek power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Greek power outlet

A page on how to power your iPhone 3GS from a Greek power outlet with the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type F power charger.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 3GS using a Greek power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone 3GS).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Greek power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two adjacent holes and grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Greek power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the cellphone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging which should take roughly one to four hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a Greek power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Greece
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS 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..