How to charge the iPad Mini 4 when staying in North Korea

Using an Apple Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter to charge the iPad Mini 4 with a North Korean power outlet, how to recharge the iPad Mini 4 using a Europlug Type C USB adapter and how to recharge the iPad Mini 4 using a Schuko Type F USB adapter

North Korean power outlet

Varying different combinations of voltages and standards can often be confusing when planning to travel to a different country if you've never visited before. These instructions were written to stop you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini 4 abroad.If you are staying in North Korea the following instructions show charging your iPad Mini 4 using their standard Type F, A or C North Korean 220 volt 60Hz wall outlets. Most power supplies change depending on which region you're taking a trip to therefore please read the WikiConnections global power connections list where you'll find a complete list of powering devices in different destinations. If travelling to North Korea from another country please make sure your iPad Mini 4 can accept a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from being damaged during charging. If you are planning on travelling to a city such as Pyongyang or Hamhung we suggest referring to the North Korea country page on wikipedia.org [1] for further information on visiting the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in North Korea

Can the iPad Mini 4 be used in North Korea?

You can connect the iPad Mini 4 to a North Korean power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in North Korea?

If travelling with more than your iPad Mini 4 then the best international travel power adapter for North Korea to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. North Koreans use three different types of plug sockets (F, A and C) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by switching the plugs. If your iPad Mini 4 supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices. Unlike other chargers this will also allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy seperate power chargers or using up additional wall outlets. By only needing to pack a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPad Mini 4 at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend searching for an adaptable power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for North Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which can be necessary when visiting counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both North Korea and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 going to North Korea using 3 pinned type B US 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 from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in North Korea?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a North Korean power outlet

Using an Apple Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter to charge the iPad Mini 4 with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. To power your iPad Mini 4 from the North Korean power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPad Mini 4.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 adjacent slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad Mini 4 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which should take roughly 1 to 4.5 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a North Korean power outlet

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a North Korean power outlet

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Europlug Type C power charger to power your iPad Mini 4 from a North Korean power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Mini 4 from the North Korean power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will normally include the USB cable with your iPad Mini 4.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 round adjacent holes next to each other where the twin plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad Mini 4 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes around 1 to 4.5 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a North Korean power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable with a 2 pinned Schuko Type F power charger to power your iPad Mini 4 from a North Korean power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPad Mini 4 using a North Korean power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally included with your device by Apple).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the North Korean power outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two holes 19 mm apart from each other where the two pins slide into, plus a pair of two thin grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad Mini 4 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes around 1 to 4.5 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 4 with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - North Korea country page on wikipedia.org
  2. Apple - iPad Mini 4 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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..