Charging the iPad 3 when planning a trip to China

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet by using a 30-pin connector with a three pin Type I power adapter, charging the iPad 3 using a two pinned Type A power adapter and how to power the iPad 3 using a 2 pin Type C power adapter

Chinese power outlet

If you are planning a vacation it's useful to know if you can power your vital devices like cell phones or tablets when you get there. But by not knowing which wall socket is used in China you may pack the wrong power charger, meaning having to buy a suitable power adaptor on arrival that could be incompatible and damage the device. Various combinations of frequencies and standards can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. This page was written to help assist visitors wanting to power their iPad 3 abroad.This page has step by step instructions showing how to supply power to the iPad 3 when you are visiting China using the types I, A or C 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets, most Chinese will use the Type I power outlets. If you are visiting China from another country ensure that your iPad 3 can be charged using a 240v supply. If the iPad 3 was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts check the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from overloading when powering up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in China

Can you use the iPad 3 in China?

You can use the iPad 3 in China by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in China?

When travelling with more than just your iPad 3 the best international travel adapter for China is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Chinese use three different types of power outlets (types 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 handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your iPad 3 supports Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these USB 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. Only needing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your iPad 3 at the airport or on your flight. 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 tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to China we suggest searching for a flexible power charger like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for China

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North 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 most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting China using type B American 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 offers practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting China. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in China?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet

A guide showing how to power the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet with the Apple 30-pin connector with a Type A USB adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad 3 using the Chinese power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will typically supply the cable with the iPad 3).
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Chinese power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the 2 thin slots next to each other.
  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 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet

Charging the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter to recharge your iPad 3 with a Chinese power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPad 3).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. This unearthed power supply (sometimes called the Europlug or Type C power outlet [6]) is identified by the 2 round holes next to each other.
  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 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad 3 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which typically takes roughly 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Charging the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet by using a 30-pin connector with a three pin Type I power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPad 3 from a Chinese power outlet you'll need a Type I USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with the iPad 3.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type I USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the three slots forming an upside-down triangular shape with a single vertical pin at the base and the top two slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and ground blades. Be aware that the neutral and live blades are configured reversed compared to Argentinian plug outlets therefore check that your Type I power adaptor is compatible with a Chinese power outlet.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple cord into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad 3 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad 3 from 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. 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..