Charging your iPad 2 from a power outlet in South Africa

Instructions showing you how to recharge your iPad 2 with a South African power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger, how to power the iPad 2 using a 2 pin Type F USB plug and how to power the iPad 2 using a 3 pin Type M USB plug

South African power outlet

Varying different region codes and voltages can all be confusing when planning on staying in another country if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of plug sockets used in the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge your iPad 2 . These simple instructions will show how to supply power to the iPad 2 when you're in South Africa using their standard M, C, F or N type South African 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, please note Type M power outlets will be used by a majority of South Africans. If you are visiting South Africa from another country make sure your iPad 2 can accept a 240 volt supply. If your iPad 2 was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts check that your iPad 2 is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from over-heating whilst powering it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 2.

Charging the iPad 2 in South Africa

Can the iPad 2 be used in South Africa?

Yes, you can connect the iPad 2 to a South African power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad 2 in South Africa?

When travelling to more than one country then the best travel charger for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different standards of wall outlets (types M, C, F and N) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your type of iPad 2 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters along with support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This will also allow you to charge more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers for your South African trip. Only bringing a single international travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets without needing an additional plug socket.

We suggest searching for a versatile power adapter like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power 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 most popular portable option for travellers originating from America going to South Africa using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper 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 just 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 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 wide range of travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad 2 in South Africa?

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

Instructions showing you how to recharge your iPad 2 with a South African power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger.

  1. To charge the iPad 2 from the South African power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], this USB cable is normally already included with the device.
  2. First you'll need to plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the South African power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB charger 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is powering up and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a South African power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 2 from a South African power outlet

Using a 30-pin connector and a 2 pin Type F power adapter to recharge the iPad 2 with a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPad 2 from a South African power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple typically supply the cable with the iPad 2.
  2. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the South African power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral pins along with a pair of two metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is powering up taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 2 from a South African power outlet

Charging the iPad 2 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Using a 30-pin connector and a 3 pin Type M power adapter to recharge your iPad 2 with a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPad 2 using the South African power outlet you will need to use a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (the USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple).
  2. Start by plugging the Type M USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. The wall outlet, sometimes known as a Type M power outlet [8], looks like 3 large circular holes in a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is powering up taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 2 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Charging the iPad 2 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Instructions on how to recharge the iPad 2 from a South African power outlet with the Apple 30-pin connector with a 3 pin Type N power adapter.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad 2 from a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], typically already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type N USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the South African power outlet. This flattened hexagon shaped plug supply (technically called the Type N power outlet [10]) looks like 3 large holes forming a triangular shape.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad 2 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa Wiki page
  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 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. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..