Charging the iPad when planning a trip to Sri Lanka

A page showing how to charge your iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type G power adapter, how to power the iPad using a 3 pin Type D power adapter and how to power the iPad using a 3 pin Type M power charger

Sri Lankan power outlet

If you are packing for a trip to Sri Lanka it can be helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge all your devices like cell phones or cameras when you get there. But by not knowing which wall socket is being used in Sri Lanka you are more likely to bring the wrong adaptor, thereby leaving you having to borrow a potentially expensive charger when you need to recharge which might not be compatible and cause problems with your iPad. Various combinations of frequencies and standards can often be daunting when planning on visiting another country for the first time traveller. The following useful guide tells you exactly what you'll need to power your iPad when staying in Sri Lanka using the types G, D or M 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, Type G plug outlets will be normally used by a majority of Sri Lankans. When travelling to Sri Lanka from a different country please check the iPad can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPad was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts double check the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to avoid the device from over-heating when powering up. 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 are running Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in Sri Lanka

Can you use the iPad in Sri Lanka?

You can connect the iPad to a Sri Lankan power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad in Sri Lanka?

If you are travelling with more than your iPad or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Sri Lanka is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Sri Lankans use three different types of power outlets (types G, D and M) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type G. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPad is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy multiple power adapters for your Sri Lankan trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single USB travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your iPad at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Sri Lanka we suggest searching for a multipurpose travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Sri Lanka

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, 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 most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Sri Lanka.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 Sri Lanka. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad in Sri Lanka?

Powering the iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type G power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPad from a Sri Lankan power outlet you'll need a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually supplied with your iPad.
  2. Insert the Type G USB power plug adapter into the Sri Lankan power outlet. This plug supply, technically called the Type G power outlet [3], looks like 3 vertical holes forming a triangle pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB power 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. Turn on the Sri Lankan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

Powering the iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type D USB charger to charge your iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad from a Sri Lankan power outlet you'll need to buy a Type D USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], typically already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type D USB power plug adapter into the Sri Lankan power outlet. This plug supply (sometimes known as a Type D power outlet [6]) can be recognised by 3 round holes in a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the Sri Lankan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes around one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

Charging the iPad from a Sri Lankan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Using the Apple 30-pin connector with a Type M USB charger to charge your iPad with a Sri Lankan power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad from a Sri Lankan power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually include this USB cable with the iPad).
  2. Start by taking the Type M USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the three circular holes in a triangular shape.
  3. Connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the Sri Lankan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad from a Sri Lankan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Sri Lanka
  2. Apple - official iPad 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type D power outlet
  7. 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..
  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. 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..