How to charge the iPad Mini from a power outlet in Colombia

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad Mini with a Colombian power outlet by using an Apple Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Type A power charger and how to recharge the iPad Mini using a Type B USB adapter.

Colombian power outlet

Various voltages and standards can often be confusing when planning to travel to a different country especially for the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to help assist travellers wanting to charge their iPad Mini when going to Colombia.This page contains step-by-step instructions demonstrating exactly what you'll need to supply power to your iPad Mini when you're travelling to Colombia by using the standard Type B or A 110 volt 60Hz power outlets. If the iPad Mini doesn't power up or recharges slowly when travelling to Colombia from another country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originate from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, check the iPad Mini is a dual voltage device (normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Colombia

Can the iPad Mini be used in Colombia?

You can connect the iPad Mini to a Colombian power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini in Colombia?

If travelling to multiple countries or bringing along more than just your iPad Mini the best travel charger for Colombia is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Colombians use two different types of plug sockets (types B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the heads over. If your model of iPad Mini can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel chargers plus support for certain power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters having a 4 port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy seperate power chargers for your trip. Because you are only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single plug socket.

For those travelling regularly we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel charger online, the multipurpose power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Colombia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but 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 is crucial for travellers to regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come 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 international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Colombia using type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Colombia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini in Colombia?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Colombian power outlet

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad Mini with a Colombian power outlet by using an Apple Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Type A power charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Mini from the Colombian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally included with the iPad Mini by Apple).
  2. Plug the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can recognise the power supply by 2 slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Then connect one 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 Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Colombian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad Mini will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Colombian power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Colombian power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a three pin Type B USB adapter to charge the iPad Mini with a Colombian power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Mini from the Colombian power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will usually supply this cable with your iPad Mini.
  2. First insert the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the 2 slots parallel to each other with a semicircle shaped hole below for the slightly longer ground pin.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB Apple cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Colombian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging taking between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Colombian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Colombia Wikipedia web 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. 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..