Charging the iPhone 3G when visiting North Korea

A guide showing how to power the iPhone 3G from a North Korean power outlet with the Apple USB 30-pin connector with a Type F USB adapter, how to power the iPhone 3G using a Type A USB plug and how to charge the iPhone 3G using a 2 pin Type C power adapter

North Korean power outlet

Varying complicated region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to stay in another country for the first time traveller. This page was written to help assist people wanting to power their iPhone 3G when travelling abroad.This page has step by step instructions showing how to charge the iPhone 3G in North Korea using the types F, A or C 220 volt 60Hz plug outlets. Power sockets will vary depending on which area you are travelling to so please read the Asia and power supplies page for a full list of countries. When travelling to North Korea from a different country please check the iPhone 3G can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPhone 3G is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to avoid the device from overloading whilst powering it. If you're planning on taking a trip to a North Korean place such as Pyongyang read the North Korea Wikipedia page [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in North Korea

Can you use the iPhone 3G in North Korea?

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

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3G in North Korea?

When travelling with more than just your iPhone 3G and visiting multiple countries the best international travel adapter for North Korea to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. North Koreans use three different types of wall outlets (F, A and C) and bringing this ensures 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 in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your type of iPhone 3G 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 certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers for your North Korean trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only packing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage. Because of their flexibility these types of travel 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 wall outlet.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online; the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for North Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge 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 useful for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both North Korea 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 North America visiting North Korea.
  • 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 is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 3G in North Korea?

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

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type A USB charger to charge your iPhone 3G with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 3G using the North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple typically include the cable with the iPhone 3G).
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter into the North Korean power outlet. The wall outlet, sometimes known as the Type A power outlet [3], can be recognised by 2 thin slots next to each other where the two plug outlet blades slide into.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB 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. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3G screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging which takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 3G from a North Korean power outlet

Powering the iPhone 3G with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using the USB 30 pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter to power the iPhone 3G from a North Korean power outlet.

  1. To power your iPhone 3G using the North Korean power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually supplied with your iPhone 3G.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the two round holes next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains 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 North Korean 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 mobile is charging which takes between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 3G with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

A guide showing how to power the iPhone 3G from a North Korean power outlet with the Apple USB 30-pin connector with a Type F USB adapter.

  1. To charge the iPhone 3G from a North Korean power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPhone 3G.
  2. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm apart from each other for live and neutral pins and a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Connect 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 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the North Korean 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 3G is powering up which typically takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - North Korea Wikipedia 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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..