Charging the iPad Mini when staying in North Korea

A guide on how to charge the iPad Mini from a North Korean power outlet using a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Type A USB charger, charging the iPad Mini using a two pin Type C Europlug power plug and charging the iPad Mini using a double pin Type F Schuko power charger

North Korean power outlet

Differing combinations of voltages and plug types can all be daunting when planning on staying in a foreign country especially if you've never visited before. When you are going to North Korea these useful instructions show how to power the iPad Mini by using the F, A or C type North Korean 220 volt 60Hz wall outlets. You'll discover that power sockets will vary depending on which country you are visiting therefore we suggest reading the World power supplies page for a full list of countries. If you are visiting North Korea from a different region please check that your iPad Mini can accept a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check your iPad Mini is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from overheating during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in North Korea

Can you use the iPad Mini in North Korea?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Mini to a North Korean power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini in North Korea?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad Mini then the best travel adapter for North Korea is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. North Koreans use three different types of power outlets (F, A and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the included plugs over. If your iPad Mini is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters having a 4 port charger means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to pack individual travel adapters. Because you are only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter online. The travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for North Korea

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 Mini, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both North Korea and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 power adapter for travellers originating from America going to North Korea using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini in North Korea?

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

A guide on how to charge the iPad Mini from a North Korean power outlet using a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Type A USB charger.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad Mini from the North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple should typically include the cable when you buy the iPad Mini.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the power outlet. The wall supply (sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [3]) is recognised by 2 adjacent slots next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB Lightning power cord into the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging taking around 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Charging the iPad Mini from a North Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using a Lightning connector and a Europlug Type C USB charger to power the iPad Mini with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad Mini from the North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple should usually include the cable when you buy the iPad Mini.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the Lightning power cord into the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging and takes around 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a North Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a North Korean power outlet

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type F Schuko USB charger to recharge the iPad Mini from a North Korean power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad Mini using the North Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should typically include this cable when you buy the iPad Mini).
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the North Korean power outlet. This sunken circular power supply can be recognised by the two large round holes 19 mm apart from each other for live and neutral pins, plus thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Lightning cord into the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which typically takes around 1 - 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a North Korean power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - North Korean Wikipedia web page
  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 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 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..