Charging the iPhone 3G from a power outlet in Cuba

A guide showing how to charge your iPhone 3G with a Cuban power outlet using the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type A power adapter, how to charge the iPhone 3G using a 3 pin Type B power charger and recharging the iPhone 3G using a 2 pin Type C power charger

Cuban power outlet

Different standards and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to visit another country for the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used throughout the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge your iPhone 3G . This guide has been written to help assist people wanting to charge the iPhone 3G when they are abroad.This simple guide will show exactly what you'll need to power your iPhone 3G when you are in Cuba using the Type C, A or B Cuban 110 volt 60Hz power outlets, please be aware Type C power outlets will be used by a majority of Cubans. You will discover that power sockets will change depending on which country you are travelling to so please read the power supplies and North America page for a full list of countries. If the iPhone 3G charges slowly or does not power up when you are visiting Cuba from another country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Electrical devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, so check the device is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are usually marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. If you plan on travelling to a Cuban city like Havana or Holguin please refer to the Cuban country Wiki page [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Cuba

Can you use the iPhone 3G in Cuba?

You can use the iPhone 3G in Cuba.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3G in Cuba?

When travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPhone 3G then the best travel charger for Cuba is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different types of power outlets (types C, A and B) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices. This means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers for your Cuban trip. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage while travelling. Because of their flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers with just a single power outlet.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

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 wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 compact option for travellers originating from America going to Cuba.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3G in Cuba?

Powering the iPhone 3G with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

A guide showing how to charge your iPhone 3G with a Cuban power outlet using the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type A power adapter.

  1. If you want to power the iPhone 3G using the Cuban 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 usually include this cable with the iPhone 3G.
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the Cuban power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two adjacent slots where the plug outlet blades go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter 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 Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking between 1 to 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 3G with a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions on how to recharge the iPhone 3G from a Cuban power outlet with the Apple 30-pin cable and a 3 pin Type B power adapter.

  1. To power your iPhone 3G using the Cuban power outlet you will need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (the cable is normally already included with the device).
  2. Begin by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the Cuban power outlet. This plug supply (technically called the Type B power outlet [6]) is recognised by 2 thin slots for live and neutral blades with a single semicircular shaped hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power 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 Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3G screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is charging taking around one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

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

A page showing how to recharge the iPhone 3G from a Cuban power outlet with the Apple 30-pin connector and a 2 pin Type C power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPhone 3G from a Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], the cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. This unearthed plug supply (known as a Type C power outlet [8]) can be recognised by 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power adapter 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 Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 3G screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging which typically takes around 1-4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuban country Wiki page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G 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. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..