How to charge the iPhone 4 when staying in Italy

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPhone 4 with an Italian power outlet by using a USB 30-pin cable with a 2 pinned Type C USB adapter, charging the iPhone 4 using a 2 pinned Type F USB adapter and powering the iPhone 4 using a 3 pinned Type L USB charger

Italian power outlet

If you are planning a holiday to Italy it is helpful to know if you'll be able to power your essential gadgets when you reach your destination. By not knowing which power supply is used you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, therefore leaving you having to buy or borrow a suitable charger when you arrive. 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 4 in Italy. This page has been specifically written to help prepare people wanting to charge their iPhone 4 abroad.This page contains step by step instructions telling you exactly how to power the iPhone 4 when staying in Italy by using the standard types L, C or F Italian 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, you'll discover most Italians will typically use the Type L wall outlets. When travelling anywhere you'll find that most power sockets will vary regionally so please read the WikiConnections world power supplies page for a full list showing regions and countries. If travelling to Italy from another country please ensure the iPhone 4 can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If the iPhone 4 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts ensure the iPhone 4 is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from being damaged whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4.

Charging the iPhone 4 in Italy

Can the iPhone 4 be used in Italy?

You can connect the iPhone 4 to an Italian power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 4 in Italy?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 4 or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Italy to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different standards of wall outlets in Italy (types L, C and F) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs 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 included heads over. If your model of iPhone 4 supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, and additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port adapter means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy individual power chargers. Only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers with only a single plug socket.

We suggest buying an adaptable power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Italy 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 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 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 Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 4 in Italy?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from an Italian power outlet

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPhone 4 with an Italian power outlet by using a USB 30-pin cable with a 2 pinned Type C USB adapter.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 4 using an Italian 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 will typically include the USB cable with your iPhone 4).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Italian power outlet. The power outlet (sometimes known as the Type C power outlet [3]) is recognised by the two circular holes 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 mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your phone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up, typically taking around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 4 from an Italian power outlet

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from an Italian power outlet

Instructions on how to recharge the iPhone 4 with an Italian power outlet by using a USB 30-pin cable with a 2 pinned Type F USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 4 using an Italian 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 4.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the wall 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 power cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging taking roughly one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from an Italian power outlet

How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from an Italian power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 4 from an Italian power outlet with a USB 30-pin cable with a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 4 using an Italian power outlet you will need a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPhone 4.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type L USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this hexagon shaped wall supply by 3 holes in a line. There are two variations of Type L wall supply rated for 10 amps and 16 amps. A 10 amp wall supply has 4mm pins spaced 5.5mm apart and a 16 amp version has larger 5mm pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Plug in one end of the power cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is recharging taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from an Italian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Italy
  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 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. 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..