Charging the iPad Mini 4 when staying in Bhutan

Instructions showing how to power the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple cable with a three pinned Type D power charger, powering the iPad Mini 4 using a three pinned Type G power charger and charging the iPad Mini 4 using a two pin Europlug Type C power charger

Bhutanese power outlet

Various standards and plug types can all be daunting when planning on staying in a different country, especially to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPad Mini 4 . If visiting Bhutan the following useful instructions show how to supply power to the iPad Mini 4 using the standard G, C, D, F or M type Bhutanese 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets. When travelling to Bhutan from another country make sure that the iPad Mini 4 can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts ensure your iPad Mini 4 is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating whilst powering it. If you plan to visit a city like Thimphu read the Bhutanese country entry on wikipedia [1] for further details on travelling to the location. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Bhutan

Can you use the iPad Mini 4 in Bhutan?

You can connect the iPad Mini 4 to a Bhutanese power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in Bhutan?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad Mini 4 the best travel charger for Bhutan is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are five different types of wall outlets in Bhutan (types G, C, D, F and M) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types C and G. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the heads over. If your iPad Mini 4 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of power adapters, plus additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters this means you can recharge multiple devices at once without needing to bring multiple power adapters on your Bhutanese trip or using up additional wall outlets. Because you are only bringing a single USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage and convenient for charging your iPad Mini 4 at the airport or on the plane. Due to their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and phones with just a single plug socket.

If you travel to Bhutan we recommend buying this type of flexible travel charger at your preferred electronics retailer - the power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Bhutan

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 Mini 4, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Bhutan 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 compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Bhutan 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 America using type B plugs and gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Bhutan. [14] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in Bhutan?

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a 3 pin Type G USB charger to power the iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet you will need to use a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include this cable when you purchase your iPad Mini 4).
  2. Begin by plugging the Type G USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the 3 vertical slots forming a triangular configuration.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple Lightning charging cord into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 4 is powering up which should take between one to five and a half hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet

Using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type C USB adapter to power the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad Mini 4 from the Bhutanese power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should usually include this cable when you buy your iPad Mini 4).
  2. Firstly plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. The wall supply can be recognised by 2 round adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB charging cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes around 1 to 4.5 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet

How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet

Instructions showing how to power the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple cable with a three pinned Type D power charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini 4 from the Bhutanese power outlet you will need to buy a Type D USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple will usually include the cable when you buy the iPad Mini 4.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type D USB power plug adapter into the power supply. This plug supply (known as the Type D power outlet [8]) looks like 3 circular holes forming a triangle configuration.
  3. Connect one end of the USB Apple power cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4.5 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type D power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet

Instructions on how to charge your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet with a USB Lightning connector and a Type F Schuko USB charger.

  1. To charge your iPad Mini 4 using the Bhutanese power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with your iPad Mini 4 by Apple.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Bhutanese power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm apart from each other for live and neutral along with two thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini 4 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 4 is charging, typically taking roughly 60 to 300 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Bhutanese power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Using a Lightning connector with a Type M USB charger to power the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Mini 4 using a Bhutanese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type M USB power plug adapter [13] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the cable is normally supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type M USB power plug adapter into the Bhutanese power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the three large holes in a triangular configuration for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Bhutanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 4 is powering up which takes between 60-300 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a Bhutanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Bhutanese country entry on wikipedia
  2. Apple - iPad Mini 4 user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable 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 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 D power outlet
  9. Type D USB power plug adapter - Designed for usage in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal, the Type D USB power plug adapter offers a practical solution for converting local 3-prong grounded outlets into USB ports, providing reliable charging for a range of USB devices..
  10. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  11. 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..
  12. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  13. 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.
  14. 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..