Charging your iPhone 5S from a power outlet in Belgium

Instructions on how to power the iPhone 5S from a Belgian power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a double pinned Type C USB adapter and charging the iPhone 5S using a double pinned Type E power adapter.

Belgian power outlet

When organizing a holiday it can often be helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to use any common gadgets that you are bringing along. Without knowing which power socket is used you are more likely to bring the wrong adaptor, meaning having to purchase a suitable power adaptor when you're there. Various combinations of region codes and voltages can all be confusing when planning on staying in a foreign country, especially to the first time traveller. When you're staying in Belgium the following useful instructions show how to supply power to the iPhone 5S by using the types E or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, Type E wall outlets will be used by a majority of Belgians. If you are travelling to Belgium from a different region please check the iPhone 5S can be charged using a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts double check your iPhone 5S is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from overloading when powering up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Belgium

Can you use the iPhone 5S in Belgium?

You can use the iPhone 5S in Belgium.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5S in Belgium?

If you are travelling to multiple countries then the best travel power adapter for Belgium is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Belgians use two different standards of wall outlets (types E and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your model of iPhone 5S is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these types of travel chargers along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to buy multiple power adapters or using up additional power sockets. Only packing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers without needing an additional plug socket.

If you travel to Belgium we suggest buying a versatile power adapter like this at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Belgium

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 best selling compact power converter for travellers originating from North America visiting Belgium using 3 pinned type B 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 from North America using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective 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 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 Belgium. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 5S in Belgium?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Belgian power outlet

Instructions on how to power the iPhone 5S from a Belgian power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a double pinned Type C USB adapter.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 5S from a Belgian power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple should normally supply this USB cable with the iPhone 5S.
  2. First insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Belgian power outlet. This ungrounded plug supply is identified by two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger 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. Turn on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5S from a Belgian power outlet

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a double pinned Type E power adapter to recharge your iPhone 5S with a Belgian power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPhone 5S using the Belgian power outlet you will need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the cable is normally already included with your iPhone 5S.
  2. Start by inserting the Type E USB power plug adapter into the power supply. The sunken round plug supply, also known as a CEE 7/7 plug, can be recognised by two large adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral plus one long metal earth pin protruding from the top to form a triangle shape.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5S. The iPhone 5S Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5S under the home button.
  4. Switch on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 5S will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 5S is powering up which should take between 1 to 4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org web page about Belgium
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. 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..
  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 E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  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..