How to charge the iPhone 3G when staying in India

Instructions on how to recharge your iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet with an Apple 30 pin cable with a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter, charging the iPhone 3G using a 2 pinned Type C power charger and how to recharge the iPhone 3G using a Type M power charger

Indian power outlet

Various frequencies and region codes can all cause confusion when planning on staying in another country, especially if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of common standards used in the world this guide shows exactly what to buy in advance to charge your iPhone 3G in India. The following step by step instructions tells you what you'll need to supply power to your iPhone 3G when you're travelling to India by using the standard Type D, C or M 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of Indians use Type D plug outlets. If you are travelling to India from a different country check your iPhone 3G can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v make sure that the iPhone 3G is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from being damaged whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in India

Can the iPhone 3G be used in India?

You can connect the iPhone 3G to an Indian power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 3G in India?

When you are travelling to more than one country the best travel charger for India to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Indians use three different standards of wall outlets (D, C and M) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by changing the included plugs. If your iPhone 3G is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with more power demanding devices. Unlike other chargers having a four port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring multiple travel adapters. Because you are only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling. Due to their flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers with only a single plug socket.

For those travelling often we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter 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 different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for India

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 those 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 to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North 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 best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting India.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This is a much 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting India. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPhone 3G in India?

Powering the iPhone 3G with an Indian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using an Apple 30 pin cable with a 2 pinned Type C USB adapter to recharge your iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPhone 3G from the Indian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally included with your device).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Indian power outlet. The power outlet can be identified by two circular adjacent holes.
  3. 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 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Turn on the Indian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 3G will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is recharging and takes between 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with an Indian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet

Using an Apple 30 pin cable with a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter to recharge your iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPhone 3G using an Indian power outlet you will need to buy a Type D USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should usually supply this cable with your iPhone 3G.
  2. Plug in the Type D USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the 3 holes in a triangle configuration.
  3. 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 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Turn on the Indian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPhone 3G will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is recharging and takes between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet

Charging the iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Using a USB 30-pin Apple connector and a Type M power charger to power your iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 3G from the Indian power outlet you'll need to use a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is typically included with your device).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type M USB power plug adapter in the Indian power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 3 circular holes forming a triangular pattern for live, neutral and earth pins.
  3. Then connect 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 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the Indian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the cell screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up, typically taking around one to four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3G from an Indian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org page about India
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G 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 D power outlet
  7. Type D USB power plug adapter - Designed for usage in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal, the Type D USB power plug adapter offers a practical solution for converting local 3-prong grounded outlets into USB ports, providing reliable charging for a range of USB devices..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  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..