Charging the iPhone when planning a trip to Tuvalu

How to connect a Tuvaluan power outlet to the iPhone

Tuvaluan power outlet

Differing combinations of voltages and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never visited before. The following useful guide tells you exactly what you'll need to power your iPhone when travelling to Tuvalu using the 220 volt 50Hz Type I plug supply. When visiting Tuvalu from a different country please check the iPhone can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPhone was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts check that the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from being damaged when charging it.

This page details the iPhone first generation, the original iPhone is missing some features which have since been introduced to more recent iPhones. Visit the Apple category page for the full range of Apple iPhones. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 3 or greater on the iPhone.

Charging the iPhone in Tuvalu

Can you use the iPhone in Tuvalu?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone to a Tuvaluan power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone in Tuvalu?

When travelling with more than your iPhone or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Tuvalu is a multiple USB port 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 around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPhone is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy individual power chargers. By only bringing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage and on hand for recharging your iPhone at an airport or on the plane. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to different destinations we suggest searching for an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Tuvalu

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 the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu.
  • 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 the US using type B plugs. This gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only 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 Tuvalu. [6] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone in Tuvalu?

Powering the iPhone with a Tuvaluan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable with a Type I USB charger to charge your iPhone with a Tuvaluan power outlet.

  1. To power your iPhone using the Tuvaluan power outlet you will need to use a Type I USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPhone).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type I USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Tuvaluan power outlet. This plug supply, technically called the Type I power outlet [3], can be identified by the 3 thin slots for the live, neutral and earth.
  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. The iPhone dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone.
  4. Switch on the Tuvaluan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes around one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone with a Tuvaluan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Tuvaluan country page on Wikipedia
  2. Apple - the original iPhone product manual
  3. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  4. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  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..