How to charge the iPad Air when planning a trip to Principe

A guide on how to recharge the iPad Air with a Prinicipe power outlet with a USB Lightning cable with a double pin Type C Europlug USB charger and how to recharge the iPad Air using a two pinned Type F power adapter.

Prinicipe power outlet

Various frequencies and region codes can often be daunting when planning on staying in a foreign country for the first time traveller. When visiting Principe these instructions show how to power the iPad Air using their standard types F or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets. When you are visiting Principe from another country please make sure that your iPad Air can be used with a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120v ensure the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from overheating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in Principe

Can the iPad Air be used in Principe?

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

What is the best travel charger for the iPad Air in Principe?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPad Air then the best travel adapter for Principe to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Prinicipians use two different standards of power outlets (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the included heads over. If your iPad Air supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times with one of these types of USB power chargers along with additional support for certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other chargers this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters. Only packing a single travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand luggage and suitable for recharging your iPad Air at an airport or on a plane. Due to their versatility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets without needing an additional plug socket.

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

Alternative travel adapter for Principe

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Principe 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 Principe using 3 pin type B US plug sockets.
  • 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 and offers almost 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 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 Principe. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad Air in Principe?

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

A guide on how to recharge the iPad Air with a Prinicipe power outlet with a USB Lightning cable with a double pin Type C Europlug USB charger.

  1. In order to charge the iPad Air using a Prinicipe power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the USB cable is usually included with your iPad Air by Apple.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Prinicipe power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the 2 circular adjacent holes where the twin plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple power cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air.
  4. Turn on the Prinicipe 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 full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Air from a Prinicipe power outlet

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

A guide on how to recharge the iPad Air with a Prinicipe power outlet with a USB Lightning cable and a double pin Type F Schuko power charger.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Air from the Prinicipe power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually supply the USB cable when you purchase your iPad Air).
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This sunken circular plug supply can be identified by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm next to each other where the live and neutral pins sit and two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple charging cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the Prinicipe power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad Air will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Air with a Prinicipe power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia page about Principe
  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..