Charging your iPad from a power outlet in South Korea

Instructions showing how to charge your iPad with a South Korean power outlet with the 30-pin Apple cable with a Type C power adapter and powering the iPad using a 2 pin Type F USB plug.

South Korean power outlet

If planning a trip it's useful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge your common electronics such as mobile phones or tablets that you are bringing with you. But by not knowing which power socket to expect you may pack the wrong adaptor, thereby leaving you having to purchase a suitable power adaptor when you're there. Various combinations of region codes and voltages can all be confusing when planning on visiting a foreign country, especially to the first time traveller. This guide has been written to prepare travellers wanting to power the iPad when they're staying in South Korea.This step by step guide shows you exactly what you'll need to charge the iPad when you're travelling to South Korea by using their standard Type F or C 220 volt 60Hz wall outlets, please note Type F wall outlets are typically used by a majority of South Koreans. If you are travelling to South Korea from a different country please double check your iPad can be charged using a 240v supply. If the iPad was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check that your iPad is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from over-heating when charging it. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in South Korea

Can you use the iPad in South Korea?

You can use the iPad in South Korea.

What is the best travel charger for the iPad in South Korea?

When travelling with more than just your iPad or visiting more than one country the best international travel charger for South Korea to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of plug sockets in South Korea (types F and C) and using a travel adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the included heads. If your iPad is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these travel chargers along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets.

This will also allow you to power more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy multiple power adapters on your trip. By only needing a single USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand baggage while travelling as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad at an airport or on the flight. Due to their versatility these types of chargers can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets using only a single power outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible travel charger online. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for South Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both South Korea 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 compact option for travellers originating from America visiting South Korea using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs and offers the same functionality as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at 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 South Korea. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad in South Korea?

Charging the iPad from a South Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using the 30-pin Apple cable with a two pinned Type C power adapter to recharge your iPad with a South Korean power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPad using the South Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple typically supply the cable when you buy the iPad).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the South Korean power outlet. The power supply, sometimes called a Europlug, is identified by the 2 circular adjacent holes where the live and neutral pins go. Type C electrical outlets in South Korea are less common as Type F outlets.
  3. Plug in one end of the cord into the bottom of the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging, typically taking roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad from a South Korean power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

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

Using the USB 30 pin Apple cable and a Type F USB adapter to power the iPad with a South Korean power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPad using the South Korean power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should normally supply this USB cable with the iPad).
  2. Begin by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the South Korean power outlet. This circular wall supply (known as a Type F power outlet [6]) can be identified by the two round adjacent holes for live and neutral, plus a pair of thin grounding clips above and below. The most commonly used outlets in South Korea are Type F plug outlets.
  3. 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. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes between 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a South Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Visitkorea - Korea Tourism Organization site
  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. 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..