Charging your iPhone 5S from a power outlet in Puerto Rico

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector and a Type A USB adapter to power the iPhone 5S with a Puerto Rican power outlet and charging the iPhone 5S using a three pin Type B power charger.

Puerto Rican power outlet

Various combinations of standards and plug types can often lead to confusion when planning to visit another country especially to the first time traveller. The following step-by-step instructions shows exactly what you'll need to charge the iPhone 5S when you're in Puerto Rico using their standard B or A type 120 volt 60Hz wall outlets, please be aware that Type B power outlets are typically used by most Puerto Ricans. If your iPhone 5S does not power up or charges slowly when you are visiting Puerto Rico from another country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originate from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) either take longer to charge or won't power up, check the device is dual-voltage (normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. If you plan to stay in a tourist destination such as San Juan refer to the Puerto Rico Wikipedia page [1] for further details on visiting the location. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 5S.

Charging the iPhone 5S in Puerto Rico

Can you use the iPhone 5S in Puerto Rico?

You can connect the iPhone 5S to a Puerto Rican power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in Puerto Rico?

When travelling to multiple countries then the best travel adapter for Puerto Rico is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of plug sockets in Puerto Rico (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the included heads. If your type of iPhone 5S supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, along with support for more power demanding devices.

Unlike other chargers having a 4 port adapter means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to buy multiple power chargers on your Puerto Rican trip or using up additional wall outlets. Because you are only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying this type of flexible travel charger at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Puerto Rico

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids. These power adapters are supplied 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 converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Puerto Rico using type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Puerto Rico. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPhone 5S in Puerto Rico?

Powering the iPhone 5S with a Puerto Rican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector and a Type A USB adapter to power the iPhone 5S with a Puerto Rican power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S using a Puerto Rican power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple typically supply the USB cable with the iPhone 5S).
  2. Begin by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Puerto Rican power outlet. You can identify the wall supply by the 2 thin adjacent slots.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB cable into the bottom of the power adapter 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. Switch on the Puerto Rican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 5S with a Puerto Rican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 5S from a Puerto Rican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector and a Type B USB adapter to power the iPhone 5S with a Puerto Rican power outlet.

  1. To power the iPhone 5S using the Puerto Rican power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually supply the cable when you buy the iPhone 5S).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Puerto Rican power outlet. This power outlet, sometimes called the Type B power outlet [6], can be recognised by the 2 slots adjacent to each other with a single semicircular shaped hole below for the long ground pin.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB adapter 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. Switch on the Puerto Rican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 5S from a Puerto Rican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Puerto Rico Wikipedia 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. 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..