How to charge your iPhone 5C from a power outlet in Cuba

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 5C from a Cuban power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a double pin Type A USB adapter, powering the iPhone 5C using a 3 pinned Type B USB charger and how to recharge the iPhone 5C using a double pin Type C Europlug USB adapter

Cuban power outlet

Various voltages and standards can often be confusing when planning to stay in another country, especially if you've never been there before. This isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets being used throughout the world this article shows exactly what you'll need in advance to charge your iPhone 5C in Cuba. These instructions were written to help prepare people wanting to charge their iPhone 5C when they're going to Cuba.If you're visiting Cuba these useful instructions show powering your iPhone 5C using the standard types C, A or B Cuban 110 volt 60Hz plug outlets, a majority of Cubans normally use the Type C plug outlets. Most power supplies will vary depending on which region you're taking a trip to so please read our Wikiconnections world power connections guide where you'll find a complete list showing regions and countries. If your iPhone 5C does not power up or charges slowly when you are visiting Cuba from a different country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Electrical devices which originate from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, check your device is dual voltage (usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5C.

Charging the iPhone 5C in Cuba

Can you use the iPhone 5C in Cuba?

Yes, you can use the iPhone 5C in Cuba by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power charger for the iPhone 5C in Cuba?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPhone 5C or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Cuba is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different types of plug sockets (C, A and B) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by switching the included heads over. If your model of iPhone 5C supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these power chargers, along with additional compatibility with more power demanding devices. Having a 4 port charger means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring individual power chargers for your Cuban trip. Because you are only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without using up an additional wall outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online, the power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 5C, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be necessary when visiting counties with unreliable power grids. These power adapters come supplied 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 travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from America visiting Cuba using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 power charger for the iPhone 5C in Cuba?

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

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 5C from a Cuban power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a double pin Type A USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 5C from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPhone 5C.
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes called a Type A power outlet [3], is recognised by the two thin adjacent slots next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the cellphone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which should take roughly one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from a Cuban power outlet

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

Using a Lightning Apple connector and a three pinned Type B USB adapter to recharge your iPhone 5C from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 5C from the Cuban power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include this cable with your iPhone 5C.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes called a Type B power outlet [6], is recognised by two thin slots parallel to each other with a semicircular shaped hole below for the slightly longer ground pin.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB Lightning charging cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector can be found at bottom of your iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPhone 5C will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from a Cuban power outlet

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

Using an Apple Lightning cable and a Europlug Type C USB adapter to charge the iPhone 5C with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. To power your iPhone 5C from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase the iPhone 5C.
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. The plug outlet, also called a Type C power outlet [8] or Europlug, is identified by two round adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5C. The iPhone 5C Lightning connector is situated at bottom of the iPhone 5C under the home button.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPhone screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the phone is powering up which should take roughly one-four hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 5C from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuba 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..