Charging the iPhone 5C when staying in Italy

Instructions showing you how to power your iPhone 5C with an Italian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple cable with a three pinned Type L power adapter, how to charge the iPhone 5C using a Type C Europlug USB plug and charging the iPhone 5C using a double pinned Type F power adapter

Italian power outlet

Varying different standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning on staying in a foreign country, especially for the first time traveller. These instructions were specifically written to prevent you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 5C abroad.If staying in Italy these useful instructions show how to power your iPhone 5C by using their types L, C or F 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type L wall outlets are used by a majority of Italians. When visiting Italy from another country make sure that the iPhone 5C can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check that your iPhone 5C is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from over-heating whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Italy

Can the iPhone 5C be used in Italy?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 5C to an Italian power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in Italy?

When travelling to multiple countries then the best travel adapter for Italy to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Italians use three different standards of plug sockets (types L, C and F) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your type of iPhone 5C supports Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these travel chargers along with support for more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel chargers having a 4 port adapter means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to pack multiple power chargers on your Italian trip or occupying additional wall outlets. Because you are only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying this type of flexible travel adapter at your preferred electronics retailer - the power 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 on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Italy 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 travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5C in Italy?

Powering the iPhone 5C with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

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

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPhone 5C using an Italian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally already supplied with your iPhone 5C by Apple).
  2. Start by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Italian power outlet. This unearthed power outlet, also known as the Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug, can be identified by the two adjacent holes where the twin pins go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the cell screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from an Italian power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple cable and a Type F USB adapter to power the iPhone 5C with an Italian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 5C using the Italian power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the USB cable is typically supplied with the device by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This recessed circular wall outlet can be recognised by two round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the twin plug outlet pins sit along with two thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple charging cord 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. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPhone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is recharging, typically taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from an Italian power outlet

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

Instructions showing you how to power your iPhone 5C with an Italian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple cable with a three pinned Type L power adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 5C using an Italian power outlet you'll need a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually supply the cable with the iPhone 5C).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type L USB power plug adapter into the Italian power outlet. You can recognise this squashed hexagon shaped wall supply by the 3 large circular holes forming a line for live, neutral and earth. Note there are two types of Type L plug supply, one rated for 10 amps and one at 16 amps. A 10 amp wall outlet has 4mm round pins spaced 5.5mm apart, whilst a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Connect one end of the USB Apple charging cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger 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 Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPhone 5C screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5C is powering up which takes between one to four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5C with an Italian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italian Wikipedia web 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 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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. 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.
  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..