How to charge the iPhone when visiting Colombia

Instructions on how to charge the iPhone from a Colombian power outlet using the Apple 30-pin connector and a Type A power adapter and recharging the iPhone using a Type B power adapter.

Colombian power outlet

Various standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. These instructions have been written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone abroad.The following step by step guide will show you exactly how to supply power to your iPhone when travelling to Colombia by using their Type B or A Colombian 110 volt 60Hz plug outlets. If the iPhone charges slowly or does not power up when visiting Colombia from a different country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originate from another country which use a higher voltage such as 240 volts may take longer to charge or won't turn on, check that the device is dual-voltage (usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you are planning on travelling to a destination like Bogotá or Medellín read the Colombian Wikipedia page [1] for further details.

This page details the iPhone first generation, the original iPhone is missing some features which have since been introduced to more recent iPhones. Visit the Apple category page for the full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in Colombia

Can the iPhone be used in Colombia?

Yes, you can use the iPhone in Colombia.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone in Colombia?

When travelling with more than your iPhone then the best travel adapter for Colombia to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of power outlets in Colombia (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your iPhone can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB travel chargers and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a 4 port adapter will also allow you to power multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy seperate travel adapters for your trip or using up additional wall outlets. Because you are only needing to bring a single travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling and on hand for charging your iPhone at the airport or on a plane. Due to their versatility these types of power adapters can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter at an electronics retailer, the power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Colombia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 power converter for travellers originating from North America going to Colombia using type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 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 Colombia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone in Colombia?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Colombian power outlet

Using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type A power charger to charge the iPhone from a Colombian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone using the Colombian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should typically include this cable when you buy the iPhone.
  2. First plug in the Type A USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise this power outlet by the 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the twin plug outlet blades sit.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Turn on the Colombian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your cellphone will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Colombian power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Colombian power outlet

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPhone with a Colombian power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type B USB adapter.

  1. To charge the iPhone using a Colombian power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is normally supplied with the device.
  2. First plug in the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Colombian power outlet. This power outlet, technically called a Type B power outlet [6], is identified by 2 slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral blades with a single semicircular hole below for the long earth pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the 30 pin cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Colombian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging, typically taking roughly one to four hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone from a Colombian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Colombian Wikipedia page
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  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..