Charging the iPad when planning a trip to North Korea

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad with a North Korean power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a 2 pin Type F power adapter, how to power the iPad using a 2 pin Type A USB charger and charging the iPad using a Type C USB plug

North Korean power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. If visiting North Korea these instructions show how to supply power to the iPad by using their standard F, A or C type North Korean 220 volt 60Hz power outlets. If you are travelling to North Korea from another region please check that the iPad can be used with a 240 volt supply. If your iPad was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts 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 being damaged when powering up. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in North Korea

Can you use the iPad in North Korea?

You can use the iPad in North Korea by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad in North Korea?

If you are travelling with more than your iPad or visiting more than one country the best international travel charger for North Korea to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. North Koreans use three different types of wall outlets (F, 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 can support Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this means you can charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power adapters for your North Korean trip. Only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage. Because of their versatility these types of travel chargers can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to North Korea we suggest searching for a multipurpose travel charger of this nature 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 North Korea

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 converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both North Korea and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America visiting North Korea.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at 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 majority of travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad in North Korea?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad from a North Korean power outlet

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type A USB charger to charge your iPad with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad from a North Korean power outlet you'll need 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).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by two adjacent slots where the twin plug outlet blades slide into.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad 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 from a North Korean power outlet

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

Using the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type C USB charger to charge your iPad with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad from a North Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPad).
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the North Korean power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  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. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Charging the iPad from a North Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad from a North Korean power outlet with a 30-pin connector with a Type F USB adapter.

  1. If you want to power your iPad using the North Korean power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is typically supplied with your iPad.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the North Korean power outlet. This recessed round power outlet (sometimes called the Type F power outlet [8]) can be identified by the two circular holes 19 mm apart from each other and a pair of thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in 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. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up taking roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad from a North Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - North Korean country entry on Wikipedia.org
  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 F power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..