Charging the iPad Mini when planning a trip to Sao Tome

Using a Lightning connector with a Europlug Type C power adapter to recharge your iPad Mini with a Sao Tome power outlet and recharging the iPad Mini using a Schuko Type F power charger.

Sao Tome power outlet

Varying different voltages and region codes can often be daunting when planning to stay in a foreign country especially if you've never been there before. This page was written to stop people worrying if they'll be able to charge the iPad Mini when they are going abroad.The following instructions will show how to supply power to the iPad Mini when you're travelling to Sao Tome by using their standard Type F or C Sao Tome 220 volt 50Hz power outlets. You will discover power supplies will vary depending on which region you are visiting therefore please read the power supplies page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to Sao Tome from a different country please check the iPad Mini can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPad Mini was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts double check the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to avoid the device from over-heating when powering up. If you plan to stay in a destination such as São Tomé read the Sao Tome Wikipedia page [1] for further information. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Sao Tome

Can you use the iPad Mini in Sao Tome?

You can connect the iPad Mini to a Sao Tome power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini in Sao Tome?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPad Mini then the best travel charger for Sao Tome to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of wall outlets that Sao Tomean use (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your iPad Mini can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

This means you can recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy individual power chargers. By only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying an adaptable travel charger like this online - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Sao Tome

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 compact option for travellers originating from America going to Sao Tome using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half the 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Sao Tome. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini in Sao Tome?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Sao Tome power outlet

Using a Lightning connector with a Europlug Type C power adapter to recharge your iPad Mini with a Sao Tome power outlet.

  1. In order to power your iPad Mini using the Sao Tome power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall supply. This ungrounded plug supply is identified by the 2 circular holes next to each other where the two plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power 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. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad Mini screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Sao Tome power outlet

Charging the iPad Mini from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type F USB charger to charge your iPad Mini with a Sao Tome power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini using the Sao Tome power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Sao Tome power outlet. This sunken round power outlet can be recognised by two 4.8mm round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins, plus two metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power 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. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Sao Tome Wikipedia 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 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..