Charging the iPad Air when staying in Germany

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type C Europlug USB charger to recharge the iPad Air from a German power outlet and recharging the iPad Air using a double pinned Type F power adapter.

German power outlet

If planning a trip to Germany it can be helpful to know if you can charge all your common electronics when you get to your destination. Without knowing which wall socket is used in Germany you are likely to bring the wrong power charger, therefore having to purchase a suitable adaptor when you need to recharge. Complicated standards and voltages can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of common standards being used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPad Air . When you are planning a vacation to Germany the following instructions show how to charge the iPad Air using the standard F or C type German 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, most Germans normally use the Type F sockets in their plug outlets. You'll discover that power sockets will vary depending on which region you are visiting therefore we suggest reading the travel power supplies page for a full list of countries. If you are visiting Germany from a different region please check that your iPad Air can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check the iPad Air is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from overloading during charging. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in Germany

Can you use the iPad Air in Germany?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Air to a German power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Air in Germany?

When travelling with more than just your iPad Air the best international travel charger for Germany is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Germans use two different standards of plug sockets (types F and C) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your type of iPad Air can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of USB power chargers, along with support for more power demanding devices.

This will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to bring individual power chargers on your German trip or occupying additional wall sockets. Only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage whilst travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling frequently we suggest searching for this type of versatile power charger at your preferred electronics retailer - the power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Germany

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Germany and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Germany using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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 cheaper 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 Germany. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Air in Germany?

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

Instructions showing you how to recharge your iPad Air with a German power outlet with a USB Lightning connector and a Type C USB adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad Air from the German power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually already included with your iPad Air by Apple).
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the German power outlet. This ungrounded wall outlet can be recognised by the two holes next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB charging cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Air screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Air is charging, typically taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Air with a German power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a German power outlet

Using a USB Lightning connector and a Type F USB adapter to power your iPad Air with a German power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad Air using the German power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually already included with the iPad Air.
  2. First plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This recessed circular wall outlet, sometimes called a Schuko plug or Type F power outlet [6], can be recognised by two holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the two pins go and two grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the Apple USB power cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air is powering up which takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a German power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about Germany
  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 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 F power outlet
  7. 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..
  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..