How to charge your iPhone 3GS from a power outlet in America

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 3GS with an American power outlet with a USB 30-pin Apple connector and a three pinned Type A USB adapter and charging the iPhone 3GS using a Type B power plug.

American power outlet

Complicated combinations of region codes and plugs can often cause confusion when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never visited before. These instructions were written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPhone 3GS when America.If you are travelling to America this page contains instructions showing how to power the iPhone 3GS using their Type B or A American 120 volt 60Hz wall outlets, a majority of Americans use Type B wall outlets. Power supplies will vary depending on which country you're taking a trip to therefore please read the Wikiconnections world power connections guide where you'll find a complete list showing regions and countries. If your iPhone 3GS doesn't power up or recharges slowly when you are visiting America from a different country check that it is compatible with a 120 volt power supply. Normally devices which originated from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts either take longer to charge or won't turn on, check your iPhone 3GS is a dual voltage device (normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in America

Can the iPhone 3GS be used in America?

You can connect the iPhone 3GS to an American power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3GS in America?

If travelling to multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for America is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Americans use two different types of plug sockets (B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPhone 3GS is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these travel adapters, along with additional support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power chargers on your trip to America. Only needing to pack a single international travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand luggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPhone 3GS at an airport or on the plane. Because of their flexibility these types of adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest buying a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for America

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both America 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 most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting America using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting America. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3GS in America?

Powering the iPhone 3GS with an American power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 3GS with an American power outlet with a USB 30-pin Apple connector and a three pinned Type A USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 3GS using an American power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], normally supplied with the iPhone 3GS by Apple.
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes called a Type A power outlet [3], is recognised by two thin slots next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the 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. Turn on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which should take roughly one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with an American power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 3GS with an American power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using a 30 pin Apple connector and a 3 pinned Type B USB charger to power your iPhone 3GS from an American power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 3GS using an American power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is typically included with your device by Apple).
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise this wall supply by two thin slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet blades go with a semicircular hole below for the slightly longer earth pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of 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 American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your cell will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3GS is recharging which typically takes around one to four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with an American power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Visittheusa - Visit The USA
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS 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. 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..