Charging the iPhone 3GS when planning a trip to Canada

How to connect a Canadian power outlet to the iPhone 3GS

Canadian power outlet

Varying different standards and plug types can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. This guide has been written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 3GS when you're visiting abroad.When you're staying in Canada these useful instructions show powering the iPhone 3GS by using their standard 120 volt 60Hz A Type Canadian power outlet, with the Canadians using NEMA 1-15 P ungrounded plugs for charging. If your iPhone 3GS slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when travelling to Canada from a different country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, check that your iPhone 3GS is dual-voltage (normally indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Canada

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in Canada?

You can use the iPhone 3GS in Canada by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3GS in Canada?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPhone 3GS then the best travel charger for Canada to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your iPhone 3GS can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers. By only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your iPhone 3GS at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible travel charger online - the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Canada

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Canada and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 compact option for travellers originating from America going to Canada using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Canada. [6] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3GS in Canada?

Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Canadian power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 3GS with a Canadian power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a Type A USB charger.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 3GS from a Canadian power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the two slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the Canadian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is charging which takes roughly one-four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Canadian power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Canada page on Wikipedia
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS user guide
  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. 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..