Charging the iPad 2 from a power outlet in France

Instructions on how to charge your iPad 2 from a French power outlet with a USB 30 pin cable and a Type C power adapter and charging the iPad 2 using a two pinned Type E power charger.

French power outlet

If planning a holiday it can often be helpful to know in advance if you can use your devices such as mobiles and tablets that you are bringing with you. Without knowing which wall socket is being used in France you are more likely to bring the wrong adaptor, leaving you having to buy or borrow a potentially overpriced charger on arrival. Various standards and plug types can all be daunting when planning on staying in another country, especially to the first time traveller. This guide has been specifically written to assist people wanting to power their iPad 2 when they're staying in France.This page has instructions telling you what you'll need to power the iPad 2 when you're travelling to France using the standard E or C type 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, please be aware that Type E power outlets are typically used by most French. Power supplies will change from country to country therefore we recommend reading the Wikiconnections travel power supplies list for a full list of destinations. When visiting France from another country check that the iPad 2 can accept a 240v supply. If the iPad 2 was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts ensure your iPad 2 is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating during charging. If you plan to stay in a tourist destination like Paris or Marseilles we recommend referring to the Wikipedia.org entry about France [1] for more details. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 2.

Charging the iPad 2 in France

Can you use the iPad 2 in France?

You can connect the iPad 2 to a French power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

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

If travelling to multiple countries then the best travel adapter for France to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. French use two different standards of plug sockets (types E and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the heads over. If your iPad 2 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these types of power adapters plus additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices like tablets. This will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring seperate power adapters. Only packing a single international travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for an adaptable travel adapter similar to this at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated below 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 France

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, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both France 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 most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting France.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly 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 is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting France. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad 2 in France?

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

Instructions on how to charge your iPad 2 from a French power outlet with a USB 30 pin cable and a Type C power adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad 2 from a French power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is normally already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type C USB power plug adapter into the French power outlet. The power supply (sometimes called a Europlug) can be recognised by the 2 round adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector is found at the base of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPad 2 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is charging, typically taking between 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPad 2 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Using the Apple 30-pin connector with a Type E USB charger to power the iPad 2 with a French power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 2 using a French power outlet you'll need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple usually supply the cable with the iPad 2.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type E USB power plug adapter into the power supply. This recessed round wall outlet can be recognised by the two round adjacent holes next to each other and one long metal earth pin protruding from the top forming a triangular configuration.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the bottom of the 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 French 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 iPad is recharging which takes around 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about France
  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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  8. 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..