How to charge the iPad Air from a power outlet in Spain

A guide showing you how to charge your iPad Air from a Spanish power outlet using the Apple Lightning cable and a double pinned Europlug Type C power charger and how to charge the iPad Air using a double pinned Schuko Type F power plug.

Spanish power outlet

Varying different combinations of standards and plugs can often cause confusion when planning on travelling to a different country especially if you've never been there before. These instructions were specifically written to help assist travellers wanting to charge their iPad Air when going abroad.If you are staying in Spain this page has useful instructions showing how to charge your iPad Air by using the standard F or C type 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, Type F power outlets are typically used by a majority of Spaniards. When visiting Spain from another country please double check your iPad Air can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) ensure that the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to avoid the device from overheating whilst powering it up. If you are planning to stay in a tourist destination like Madrid or Bilbao we also recommend referring to the wikipedia.org entry about Spain [1] for further information on the location. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in Spain

Can the iPad Air be used in Spain?

You can use the iPad Air in Spain by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Air in Spain?

If travelling to more than one country and bringing along more than just your iPad Air the best international travel power adapter for Spain is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Spaniards use two different standards of plug sockets (types F and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the supplied heads over. If your iPad Air supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of USB travel chargers and additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices.

Having a 4 port charger will also allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to bring multiple travel chargers for your trip to Spain or using up additional wall outlets. Only packing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones without needing an additional plug socket.

For those travelling frequently we suggest buying this type of flexible travel adapter at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

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 iPad Air, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America visiting Spain.
  • 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 originating from the US using type B plugs. This offers almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for 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 ideal for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Air in Spain?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Spanish power outlet

Using the Apple Lightning connector and a two pinned Europlug Type C power charger to charge the iPad Air from a Spanish power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPad Air using a Spanish power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include the cable with your iPad Air).
  2. Firstly plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Spanish power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the 2 round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Turn on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Air is recharging which should take around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Spanish power outlet

Powering the iPad Air with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using the Apple Lightning connector and a double pinned Schuko Type F power charger to recharge the iPad Air with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPad Air from the Spanish power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the USB cable is usually included with your iPad Air by Apple.
  2. Begin by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the power outlet. This recessed circular power supply can be identified by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm apart from each other, plus metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in the USB 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 iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Turn on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Air is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Air with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about Spain
  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 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 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. 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..