Charging the iPad 2 when planning a trip to China

Instructions showing you how to recharge the iPad 2 with a Chinese power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a 3 pin Type I power adapter, powering the iPad 2 using a Type A USB plug and how to power the iPad 2 using a 2 pin Type C power charger

Chinese power outlet

Varying different region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially if you've never been there before. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards being used in the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to power your iPad 2 . These instructions have been specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad 2 when travelling abroad.This page contains a guide demonstrating exactly what you'll need to power your iPad 2 when staying in China using the Type I, A or C 220 volt 50Hz plug outlets, a majority of Chinese will use the Type I power outlets. When visiting China from another region ensure your iPad 2 can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure your iPad 2 is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overheating during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 2.

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Charging the iPad 2 in China

Can you use the iPad 2 in China?

Yes, you can connect the iPad 2 to a Chinese power outlet.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad 2 in China?

If you are travelling to more than one country then the best travel charger for China to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three standards of wall outlets in China (I, A and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the included heads over. If your type of iPad 2 is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel chargers. By only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage and convenient for charging your iPad 2 at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online; the travel charger illustrated here is the universal multi-device USB wall charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for China

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad 2, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices. 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 adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to China 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 the US using type B plugs. This gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half the 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting China. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad 2 in China?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 2 from a Chinese power outlet

Using the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type A USB charger to charge your iPad 2 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad 2 using the Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually supplied with your iPad 2.
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the wall supply. This ungrounded plug supply (sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [3]) is identified by the 2 thin adjacent slots where the plug outlet blades slide into.
  3. Connect one end of the charging cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad 2 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 2 from a Chinese power outlet

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

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power charger to recharge your iPad 2 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad 2 from a Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple should normally supply the cable with the iPad 2.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. The power outlet, sometimes called the Type C power outlet [6] or Europlug, can be recognised by 2 circular holes next to each other where the two plug outlet pins sit.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPad 2 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad 2 with a Chinese power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a 3 pin Type I power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPad 2 from a Chinese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type I USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPad 2).
  2. Start by plugging the Type I USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. This plug supply (sometimes called the Type I power outlet [8]) can be recognised by three slots for the live, neutral and earth blades. Note that the neutral and live pins are reversed compared to Argentinian power outlets, please check that your Type I travel adaptor is compatible in China.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is powering up and takes around one to four hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org web page about China
  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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  9. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  10. Universal multi-device USB wall charger - A universal multi-device USB wall charger features USB PD and standard ports for fast charging simultaneous. These includes interchangeable international plug adapters making it ideal for travel and certified for safety to protect against current and heat.