How to charge the iPad when planning a trip to Taiwan

Instructions showing how to power your iPad with a Taiwanese power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a three pinned Type A USB charger and charging the iPad using a Type B USB adapter.

Taiwanese power outlet

Varying different combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country, especially if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of common standards being used throughout the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to purchase in advance to power the iPad in Taiwan. These instructions were written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPad when you are going to Taiwan.When you're visiting Taiwan this page has useful instructions showing you how to power your iPad using the standard Type B or A 110 volt 60Hz plug outlets, Type B power outlets are typically used by a majority of Taiwanese. You will discover that power will change depending on which region you are travelling to so we recommend reading the Asia page for a complete list of countries. If your iPad doesn't power up or recharges slowly when you are visiting Taiwan from a different region then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originate from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, check your iPad is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are usually indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in Taiwan

Can you use the iPad in Taiwan?

Yes, you can connect the iPad to a Taiwanese power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad in Taiwan?

When travelling to more than one country and bringing along more than just your iPad the best international travel power adapter for Taiwan is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Taiwanese use two different types of plug sockets (types B and A) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your type of iPad can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of power adapters, and support for more power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters having a 4 port adapter means you can charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate travel adapters on your Taiwanese trip. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage. Due to their versatility these types of power adapters can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones without needing an additional plug socket.

For those travelling frequently we suggest buying this type of versatile travel adapter at an electronics retailer, the power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Taiwan

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Taiwan 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 most popular portable option for travellers originating from North America going to Taiwan using type B American 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 originating from North America using type B plugs and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half 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 perfect for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Taiwan. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad in Taiwan?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad from a Taiwanese power outlet

Instructions showing how to power your iPad with a Taiwanese power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a three pinned Type A USB charger.

  1. In order to charge the iPad using the Taiwanese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], the USB cable is usually already included with your iPad by Apple.
  2. Begin by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. The wall supply, technically known as the Type A power outlet [3], is identified by two thin slots next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the Taiwanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad from a Taiwanese power outlet

Powering the iPad with a Taiwanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using the USB 30-pin Apple connector and a Type B power charger to charge the iPad from a Taiwanese power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad using the Taiwanese power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the USB cable is usually included with the iPad by Apple.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Taiwanese power outlet. You can identify the plug supply by two thin slots next to each other with a single hole below for the slightly longer ground pin.
  3. Connect one end of the cable into the mains USB 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 Taiwanese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad with a Taiwanese power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Taiwan Wikipedia web 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  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..