How to charge the iPhone 3G when visiting Russia

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 3G with a Russian power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type C USB adapter and charging the iPhone 3G using a Type F USB charger.

Russian power outlet

Various combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. These guidelines were specifically written to stop people having to worry if they'll be able to power their iPhone 3G abroad.This page contains useful instructions which shows what you'll need to power the iPhone 3G when you're visiting Russia using their standard types F or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of Russians will typically use Type F wall outlets. Most power sockets will change depending on which area you are travelling to therefore we recommend reading the Europe page for a full list of countries. If you are visiting Russia from a different region please make sure your iPhone 3G can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from over-heating when charging it. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Russia

Can the iPhone 3G be used in Russia?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 3G in Russia.

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

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPhone 3G the best international travel charger for Russia is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Russians use two different standards of wall outlets (F and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the supplied heads. If your type of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB travel chargers along with additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other travel adapters this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate travel adapters for your trip or using up additional wall outlets. Only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling and convenient for charging your iPhone 3G at the airport or on the flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling on a regular basis we suggest buying an adaptable travel adapter like this online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Russia

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 wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover 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 Russia 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 1 less AC outlet at 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Russia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3G in Russia?

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

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 3G with a Russian power outlet with the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type C USB adapter.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 3G using the Russian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is typically supplied with the device.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Russian power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 circular holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the 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 Russian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPhone 3G will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging taking around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Russian power outlet

Charging the iPhone 3G from a Russian power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type F USB charger to recharge the iPhone 3G with a Russian power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPhone 3G from the Russian power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should typically include this cable when you buy the iPhone 3G.
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Russian power outlet. This circular plug supply, also known as the Schuko outlet, can be identified by two holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins, plus thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the cord into the bottom of the USB mains 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 Russian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is powering up, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3G from a Russian power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Russian country Wiki page
  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 F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  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..