How to charge the iPad Air when staying in South Africa

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad Air with a South African power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter, powering the iPad Air using a two pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter and recharging the iPad Air using a Type M power plug

South African power outlet

Complicated frequencies and region codes can all be daunting when planning on travelling to another country especially for the first time traveller. However this isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge your iPad Air in South Africa. When visiting South Africa the following instructions show powering your iPad Air using their Type M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, most South Africans will normally use the Type M plug outlets. When you are travelling to South Africa from a different country double check your iPad Air can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from overheating when charging it. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in South Africa

Can the iPad Air be used in South Africa?

You can connect the iPad Air to a South African power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Air in South Africa?

When you are travelling with more than just your iPad Air or visiting multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different standards of power outlets in South Africa (types M, C, F and N) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the included plugs. If your iPad Air is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack individual power chargers or using up additional wall outlets. Only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your iPad Air at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional wall outlet.

If you travel regularly we suggest buying a multipurpose power charger like this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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 visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both South Africa 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 option for travellers originating from North America going to South Africa using 3 pinned 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 originating from North America using type B plugs. This offers almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Air in South Africa?

Powering the iPad Air with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad Air with a South African power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter.

  1. In order to charge the iPad Air from the South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will typically supply this cable with your iPad Air.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 round holes next to each other where the twin pins slide into.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up, typically taking around one to four hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Air with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a South African power outlet

A page on how to power your iPad Air from a South African power outlet with the Lightning Apple connector and a Type F power charger.

  1. To supply power to the iPad Air using a South African power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad Air).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the South African power outlet. You can identify this power supply by two 4.8mm adjacent holes and grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a South African power outlet

Charging the iPad Air from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 3 pinned Type M USB charger to recharge your iPad Air from a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Air from the South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad Air.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type M USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. The power outlet, technically known as the Type M power outlet [8], can be recognised by the three large round holes forming a triangular pattern for live, neutral and earth pins.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple USB Lightning charging cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air is recharging taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Air from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Powering the iPad Air with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPad Air with a South African power outlet by using a USB Lightning cable with a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter.

  1. In order to charge the iPad Air from the South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad Air.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type N USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This squashed hexagon shaped power supply, sometimes called a Type N power outlet [10], can be recognised by the three large round holes forming a flattened triangular pattern for live, neutral and earth pins.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which typically takes roughly one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Air with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa country 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. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..