Charging your iPhone 5C from a power outlet in Chile

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a double pinned Type C USB adapter to power the iPhone 5C with a Chilean power outlet and how to charge the iPhone 5C using a Type L USB charger.

Chilean power outlet

If planning a holiday it's useful to know in advance if you'll be able to power any common electrical devices when you arrive. Without knowing which wall socket is being used in Chile you could end up either bringing too many adaptors or pack the wrong power charger, therefore needing to purchase a potentially expensive adaptor on arrival. Various combinations of voltages and standards can often be daunting when planning to travel to a new country if you've never visited before. This page contains simple instructions showing what you'll need to power your iPhone 5C when you are in Chile by using their standard Type L or C 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets, most Chileans typically use Type L power outlets. When travelling to Chile from a different region ensure that your iPhone 5C can accept a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure that the device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to avoid the device from overheating whilst powering it. If you plan on taking a trip to a city such as Santiago or Antofagasta we recommend reading the Chile wikipedia page [1] for further information. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Chile

Can you use the iPhone 5C in Chile?

You can connect the iPhone 5C to a Chilean power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5C in Chile?

If you are travelling to multiple countries or bringing more than just your iPhone 5C then the best international travel adapter for Chile to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of plug sockets in Chile (L and C) and using a travel adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the heads. If your type of iPhone 5C supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters, plus additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a four port adapter means you can power more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack multiple power chargers on your Chilean trip. Only packing a single international travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets using only a single power outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of flexible power adapter at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Chile

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5C, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North 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 power converter for travellers originating from North America visiting Chile.
  • 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 the US using type B plugs. This gives practically the same set of features 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 a more flexible 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Chile. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5C in Chile?

Charging the iPhone 5C from a Chilean power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using a Lightning Apple cable and a Type C USB charger to recharge the iPhone 5C from a Chilean power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPhone 5C using the Chilean power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - usually already included with the iPhone 5C.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Chilean power outlet. You can identify the wall outlet by the two circular adjacent holes where the twin pins go.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5C.
  4. Turn on the Chilean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 5C screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 5C is powering up which typically takes between 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5C from a Chilean power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 5C with a Chilean power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power the iPhone 5C with a Chilean power outlet using the Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type L USB charger.

  1. To power the iPhone 5C using the Chilean power outlet you'll need a Type L USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually already included with the iPhone 5C).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type L USB power plug adapter in the Chilean power outlet. You can identify this flattened hexagon shaped wall outlet by three circular adjecent holes in a line. Please note there are two different variations of Type L power outlet, one rated for 10 amps and one at 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm round pins spaced 5.5mm apart, and a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm round pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB power cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C situated at the bottom of your iPhone 5C.
  4. Turn on the Chilean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with a Chilean power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Chile wikipedia page
  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 L power outlet
  7. 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.
  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..