Charging your iPhone 5S from a power outlet in Cuba

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a three pinned Type B power adapter to power the iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet, charging the iPhone 5S using a Type A USB charger and recharging the iPhone 5S using a Type C Europlug power charger

Cuban power outlet

Varying different frequencies and standards can often be confusing when planning on staying in a foreign country, especially if you've never been there before. The following instructions will show exactly what you'll need to power your iPhone 5S when travelling to Cuba using the Type C, A or B Cuban 110 volt 60Hz power outlets, most Cubans typically use Type C plugs in their plug outlets. If your iPhone 5S slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when travelling to Cuba from a different country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally electrical devices which originate from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check that your iPhone 5S is dual-voltage (normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Cuba

Can the iPhone 5S be used in Cuba?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 5S to a Cuban power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in Cuba?

If you are travelling with more than your iPhone 5S the best international travel charger for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different standards of wall outlets (types C, A and B) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs. If your iPhone 5S can support Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and compatibility with certain power hungry devices. This means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers for your Cuban trip. By only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being convenient for recharging your iPhone 5S at an airport or on the plane. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets without needing an additional plug socket.

We suggest searching for a flexible travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Cuba and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable option for travellers originating from America going to Cuba.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and offers the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half the 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in Cuba?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type A USB charger to charge your iPhone 5S with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 5S using a Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the cable is normally already included with the device.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded power outlet, sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [3], can be recognised by two slots adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging, typically taking between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a three pinned Type B power adapter to power the iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually include this USB cable with the iPhone 5S).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter in the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the 2 thin slots for live and neutral blades with a single semicircular shaped hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB power cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 5S screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable with a Type C Europlug power charger to charge your iPhone 5S with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 5S using the Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the cable is normally already included with the device.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by two holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. You can find the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S situated at the bottom of the iPhone 5S.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is charging which takes between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPhone 5S from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuban country Wiki page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 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 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 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. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..