Charging your iPad Air from a power outlet in Cuba

Instructions on how to power the iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet by using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type A USB adapter, charging the iPad Air using a three pinned Type B power adapter and how to power the iPad Air using a Type C Europlug power adapter

Cuban power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and region codes can all lead to confusion when planning to stay in another country if you've never been there before. This guide has been written to prevent visitors worrying if they'll be able to charge their iPad Air abroad.This page has simple instructions demonstrating how to charge your iPad Air when staying in Cuba by using their standard C, A or B type 110 volt 60Hz wall outlets, most Cubans will use the Type C plugs in their wall outlets. If your iPad Air does not power up or charges slowly when you are visiting Cuba from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally electrical devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts can take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check the iPad Air is dual-voltage (normally indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in Cuba

Can you use the iPad Air in Cuba?

You can use the iPad Air in Cuba.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad Air in Cuba?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad Air the best international travel charger for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different types of power outlets (C, A and B) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C. As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the supplied heads. If your iPad Air supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters, plus additional support for more power hungry devices.

This will also allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to buy individual power adapters or occupying additional wall sockets. Because you are only bringing a single international travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad Air at an airport or on the flight. Due to their space saving versatility these types of chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers with just a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of flexible travel adapter online. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Cuba and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America going to Cuba.
  • 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 America using type B plugs and offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad Air in Cuba?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet

Instructions on how to power the iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet by using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type A USB adapter.

  1. In order to power your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should normally supply the USB cable when you buy your iPad Air).
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the wall supply. The wall outlet (known as a Type A power outlet [3]) is identified by the 2 thin slots next to each other.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple charging cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad Air screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a 3 pin Type B power charger to charge your iPad Air with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually included with the device by Apple).
  2. Start by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The power supply (sometimes called the Type B power outlet [6]) is recognised by 2 slots next to each other where the live and neutral blades go with a single hole below for the earthed pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB Lightning cable into the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Air.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging, typically taking between 1 - 4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet

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

A page showing how to recharge the iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable and a Type C Europlug power adapter.

  1. In order to power your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should normally supply the USB cable when you buy the iPad Air).
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The wall outlet is recognised by 2 round adjacent holes.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple charging cord into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad Air screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuban Wikipedia page
  2. Apple - official iPad 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. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..