How to charge the iPad Mini from a power outlet in Cuba

Instructions on how to recharge the iPad Mini with a Cuban power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB charger, powering the iPad Mini using a Type B USB adapter and charging the iPad Mini using a Type C power adapter

Cuban power outlet

When packing for a vacation to Cuba it's helpful to know in advance if you can charge your common devices when you're there. But, without knowing which power socket is being used you are more likely to bring the wrong power charger, meaning having to buy or borrow a potentially expensive power adaptor when you're there. Varying different combinations of frequencies and standards can often be daunting when planning on staying in another country to the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to stop visitors worrying if they can charge their iPad Mini when they're going abroad.This page contains useful instructions showing exactly what you'll need to supply power to your iPad Mini when you are in Cuba by using their C, A or B type 110 volt 60Hz wall outlets, please be aware Type C wall outlets will be normally used by most Cubans. If your iPad Mini charges slowly or does not power up when travelling to Cuba from another region check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originate from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't turn on, check your iPad Mini is a dual voltage device (usually indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Cuba

Can you use the iPad Mini in Cuba?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini in Cuba by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPad Mini in Cuba?

When you are travelling to more than one country the best international travel power adapter for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different standards of wall outlets that Cubans use (types C, A and B) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by changing the included plugs. If your type of iPad Mini can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these power adapters, and support for certain power hungry devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port adapter means you can recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power adapters or using up additional wall outlets. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage whilst travelling. Due to their versatility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers without needing an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to different continents we recommend searching for a multipurpose travel adapter of this nature at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting Cuba using type B US plug sockets.
  • 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 from America using type B plugs. This offers the same functionality as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPad Mini in Cuba?

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

Instructions on how to recharge the iPad Mini with a Cuban power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type A USB charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini using a Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally supplied with the iPad Mini).
  2. Start by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the power supply. You can identify this power outlet by the 2 slots next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is recharging which should take around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini with a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions on how to recharge the iPad Mini with a Cuban power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector and a 3 pinned Type B USB charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Mini using the Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with the device).
  2. Start by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power supply. This power outlet, technically known as a Type B power outlet [6], is recognised by 2 slots where the live and neutral plug outlet blades slide into with a semicircle shaped hole below for the grounded pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is recharging which should take around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

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

Using a Lightning cable with a Europlug Type C USB adapter to recharge your iPad Mini from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini using a Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally supplied with the iPad Mini).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Cuban power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 circular holes adjacent to each other where the twin pins sit.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is recharging which typically takes around 60-240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia entry about Cuba
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..