Charging the iPhone 3G in Trinidad

Using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type A power charger to charge the iPhone 3G from a Trinidad power outlet and charging the iPhone 3G using a Type B USB adapter.

Trinidad power outlet

If planning a trip to Trinidad it can be useful to know if you'll be able to charge your common electrical devices like mobile phones and laptops when you arrive at your hotel. However, by not knowing which power socket to expect you are more likely to bring the wrong adaptor, thereby leaving you needing to buy a potentially expensive power adaptor when you get there. Various standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. These instructions have been written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPhone 3G abroad.The following step by step guide will show you exactly how to supply power to your iPhone 3G when travelling to Trinidad by using their types B or A Trinidad 115 volt 60Hz power outlets, a majority of Trinidadians typically use the Type B sockets in their wall outlets. Power supplies change regionally so please read our Wiki Connections travel power connections page where you'll find a full list showing powering devices in different countries. If the iPhone 3G doesn't power up or recharges slowly when travelling to Trinidad from another region check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally electrical devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) can take longer to charge or won't power up, check the iPhone 3G is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in Trinidad

Can you use the iPhone 3G in Trinidad?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 3G to a Trinidad power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3G in Trinidad?

When you are travelling to more than one country then the best travel adapter for Trinidad to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of power outlets in Trinidad (types B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your iPhone 3G can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a 4 port adapter will also allow you to power multiple devices at the same time without needing to bring seperate power adapters on your Trinidad trip or occupying additional wall sockets. Only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage while travelling and on hand for charging your iPhone 3G at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional plug socket.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile power charger at an electronics retailer - the power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Trinidad

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Trinidad and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Trinidad using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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 ideal for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Trinidad. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPhone 3G in Trinidad?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Trinidad power outlet

Using a 30 pin cable and a two pinned Type A power charger to charge the iPhone 3G from a Trinidad power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 3G using a Trinidad power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is normally supplied with the device.
  2. First plug in the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Trinidad power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins sit.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains 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. Turn on the Trinidad power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging and takes roughly one to four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Trinidad power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Trinidad power outlet

Using the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a Type B USB adapter to power the iPhone 3G with a Trinidad power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 3G using the Trinidad power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B 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. First plug in the Type B USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This power outlet, sometimes called the Type B power outlet [6], is identified by 2 slots adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet blades go with a semicircular shaped hole below for the long earth pin.
  3. Connect one end of the cable into the USB power 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 Trinidad power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the mobile 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]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a Trinidad power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Trinidad Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G 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. 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. 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..