Charging your iPad 4 from a power outlet in Panama

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a two pin Type A power adapter to recharge your iPad 4 with a Panamanian power outlet and powering the iPad 4 using a 3 pin Type B power charger.

Panamanian power outlet

Various combinations of voltages and region codes can all lead to confusion when planning to visit another country if you've never visited before. If planning a trip to Panama the following useful instructions show how to charge the iPad 4 by using their standard Type B or A 120 volt 60Hz wall outlets. If your iPad 4 slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when visiting Panama from another region check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which come from a different country which use a higher voltage such as 240 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, check that the device is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are usually marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. If you intend on taking a trip to a destination such as Panama City we also suggest reading the Panama entry on wikipedia [1] for more indepth information. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 4.

Charging the iPad 4 in Panama

Can you use the iPad 4 in Panama?

You can use the iPad 4 in Panama.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Panama?

If you are travelling with more than your iPad 4 the best international travel charger for Panama to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Panamanians use two different types of power outlets (B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by switching the supplied plugs over. If your iPad 4 can support Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of travel adapters along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel adapters having a four port adapter means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy individual travel chargers on your Panamanian trip. By only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage and on hand for recharging your iPad 4 at the airport or on your flight. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers with just a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for a multipurpose travel charger of this nature online; the power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Panama

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 option for travellers originating from America visiting Panama.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also 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 cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Panama. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Panama?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Panamanian power outlet

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a two pin Type A power adapter to recharge your iPad 4 with a Panamanian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad 4 from a Panamanian power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should normally supply the USB cable when you buy the iPad 4).
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. You can identify the wall outlet by the two adjacent slots for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Panamanian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 4 is powering up and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Panamanian power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Panamanian power outlet

A guide showing how to power the iPad 4 from a Panamanian power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type B USB adapter.

  1. In order to power the iPad 4 from a Panamanian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Plug the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Panamanian power outlet. You can identify the plug supply by the 2 thin slots for live and neutral blades with a semicircle hole below for the long grounded pin.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Panamanian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Panamanian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Panama entry on wikipedia
  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. 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..