How to charge the iPad Mini 2 when visiting Cuba

A guide showing you how to power your iPad Mini 2 with a Cuban power outlet with a USB Lightning cable and a double pinned Type A power charger, recharging the iPad Mini 2 using a Type B power adapter and charging the iPad Mini 2 using a Europlug Type C USB charger

Cuban power outlet

Various standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets used in the world this article tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPad Mini 2 in Cuba. When visiting Cuba this page contains useful instructions showing you how to supply power to your iPad Mini 2 by using the Type C, A or B Cuban 110 volt 60Hz plug outlets, Type C plug outlets will be normally used by most Cubans. If the iPad Mini 2 does not power up or charges slowly when travelling to Cuba from a different region check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically electrical devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) either take longer to charge or won't power up, check the iPad Mini 2 is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in Cuba

Can the iPad Mini 2 be used in Cuba?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini 2 in Cuba.

What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini 2 in Cuba?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPad Mini 2 the best international travel charger for Cuba is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different standards of wall outlets (C, A and B) 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 can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the supplied heads. If your type of iPad Mini 2 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB travel chargers along with additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a 4 port adapter will also allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power adapters on your Cuban trip or occupying additional wall sockets. By only packing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and smartphones using just a single wall outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter at an electronics retailer, the power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial when visiting counties with unreliable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Cuba 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 option for travellers originating from America visiting Cuba.
  • 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 from North America using type B plugs and gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 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 Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini 2 in Cuba?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet

A guide on how to recharge the iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet using a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type A power adapter.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini 2 using the Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the cable is normally supplied with the device.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Cuban power outlet. This ungrounded wall outlet (sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [3]) is recognised by two slots next to each other for live and neutral blades.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Lightning cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up which takes between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet

Using a USB Lightning cable and a three pinned Type B power charger to charge the iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPad Mini 2 using the Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the cable is typically supplied with the device.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by the 2 thin slots adjacent to each other with a semicircular shaped hole below for the long earth pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the Lightning charging cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple cable with a Type C Europlug USB charger to recharge the iPad Mini 2 with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini 2 using the Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the cable is normally supplied with the device.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Cuban power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 round holes adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple USB cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up which should take between 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuban country Wiki 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 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..