Charging the iPad Air when visiting Madagascar

A guide showing how to power the iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet with a USB Lightning cable with a double pin Type E USB charger, powering the iPad Air using a double pin Type C Europlug power plug and how to charge the iPad Air using a three pinned Type D power plug

Malagasy power outlet

When organizing a vacation it can be helpful to know if you'll be able to charge any common devices when you arrive. But, without knowing which power supply to expect you are more likely to bring the wrong power charger, therefore leaving you having to buy a potentially overpriced charger when you're there. Differing voltages and plugs can all be confusing when planning on visiting a new country to the first time traveller. This page was specifically written to stop people having to worry if they'll be able to power the iPad Air when they are travelling abroad.This page has instructions which shows exactly what you'll need to supply power to your iPad Air when staying in Madagascar using their standard types D, C, E, J or K 127 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type D power outlets are typically used by a majority of Malagasy. If the iPad Air charges slowly or does not power up when visiting Madagascar from a different country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically electrical devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) can take longer to charge or won't power up, so check your iPad Air is a dual voltage device (usually indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. If you intend on taking a trip to a place like Antananarivo we also recommend referring to the Madagascar country Wiki page [1] for further information on the location. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in Madagascar

Can you use the iPad Air in Madagascar?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Air to a Malagasy power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Air in Madagascar?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Air then the best travel charger for Madagascar to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Malagasy use five different standards of power outlets (D, C, E, J and K) and bringing 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 will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your type of iPad Air can support Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices. Having a 4 port adapter will also allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring multiple power chargers. Because you are only packing a single travel charger will also keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their versatility these types of power 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, smartphones and e-readers and using only a single wall outlet.

We recommend searching for a versatile travel charger similar to this online. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Madagascar

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Madagascar 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 portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting Madagascar.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Madagascar. [14] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Air in Madagascar?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple cable with a two pin Type C Europlug USB charger to power the iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the USB cable is usually already included with your iPad Air by Apple.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Malagasy power outlet. This plug outlet, also called a Europlug, is identified by two holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins sit.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Air.
  4. Turn on the Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up taking between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet

Powering the iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power your iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet with the Lightning Apple cable with a three pin Type D USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Air from the Malagasy power outlet you will need to buy a Type D USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually already included with your device by Apple.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type D USB power plug adapter into the Malagasy power outlet. This wall supply, technically known as a Type D power outlet [6], can be identified by 3 holes forming a triangular shape for live, neutral and ground.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Lightning power cord 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 Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

Powering the iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power your iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable with a Type E USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Air from the Malagasy power outlet you will need a Type E USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will usually supply the USB cable when you first purchase your iPad Air).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type E USB power plug adapter into the Malagasy power outlet. The round power outlet (known as the CEE 7/7 outlet) can be identified by two 4.8mm holes 19mm apart from each other where the live and neutral pins sit and a single long metal earth pin protruding the top in a triangle shape.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning power cord 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 Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Air with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

How to use a Type J power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet

Using a Lightning connector and a three pinned Type J power charger to recharge the iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Air using a Malagasy power outlet you will need to use a Type J USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad Air.
  2. Plug in the Type J USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise the squashed hexagon shaped power outlet by the 3 large round holes forming a triangle pattern.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple power cable into the USB 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 Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Air screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging taking around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type J power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet

How to use a Type K power charger for charging your iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet

Using the Apple Lightning connector and a Type K power charger to charge the iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet you will need to buy a Type K USB power plug adapter [13] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPad Air.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type K USB power plug adapter in the Malagasy power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the 3 large holes forming an upside-down triangle configuration and the bottom hole being in a semicircular shape.
  3. Connect one end of the charging cable into the mains USB charger 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 Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Air screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type K power charger for charging your iPad Air from a Malagasy power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Madagascar country Wiki page
  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 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 E power outlet
  9. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  10. iec.ch - Type J power outlet
  11. Type J USB power plug adapter - Type J USB chargers have three rounded pins placed in a flattened triangular pattern with the top pin acting as an earth.
  12. iec.ch - Type K power outlet
  13. Type K USB power plug adapter - There are three pins on a Type K USB charger comprising of two large rounded pins and a bottom semi-circular grounding pin.
  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..