How to charge the iPad when staying in South Africa

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad with a South African power outlet by using a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a Type F power charger, how to recharge the iPad using a Type C USB charger and charging the iPad using a 3 pinned Type M USB charger

South African power outlet

Complicated region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning on travelling to another country, especially for the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to help prepare people wanting to charge their iPad when going to South Africa.This useful guide will show you what you'll need to supply power to your iPad when you're visiting South Africa by using the standard Type M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of South Africans use Type M sockets in their plug outlets. When visiting South Africa from another region please ensure the iPad can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If the iPad originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts ensure the iPad is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from overheating when charging it. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in South Africa

Can the iPad be used in South Africa?

You can connect the iPad to a South African power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for the iPad in South Africa?

If travelling to more than one country then the best international travel power adapter for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different standards of wall outlets (M, C, F and N) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by changing the supplied heads over. If your model of iPad supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers, and additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port charger means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power chargers for your trip to South Africa or occupying additional power outlets. By only needing to pack a single international USB travel charger will keep the size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPad at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers with only a single wall outlet.

For those travelling regularly we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter at your preferred electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to South Africa.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad in South Africa?

Powering the iPad with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a USB 30-pin cable with a Type C power charger to power your iPad from a South African power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPad from the South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPad.
  2. Plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This wall supply, also called a Europlug or Type C power outlet [3], is recognised by the 2 round holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging taking roughly one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPad from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad with a South African power outlet by using a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a Type F power charger.

  1. If you want to power your iPad using a South African power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally included with your device by Apple).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral pins along with grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

How to use a Type M power charger for charging your iPad from a South African power outlet

A page on how to power your iPad from a South African power outlet using a USB 30-pin cable with a 3 pinned Type M power charger.

  1. If you want to power your iPad from the South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should usually supply this cable with your iPad.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type M USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. The power supply (called a Type M power outlet [8]) looks like three large round holes forming a triangular pattern for live, neutral and earth pins.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple 30 pin USB cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up, typically taking around one to four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type M power charger for charging your iPad from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPad with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Using a USB 30-pin cable and a Type N power charger to power your iPad from a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad using a South African power outlet you will need a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally included with your device).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type N USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can recognise the squashed hexagon shaped power supply by 3 holes in a triangle shape for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging taking roughly 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South African Wiki page
  2. Apple - official iPad 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..