How to charge your iPad Mini from a power outlet in Bulgaria

A guide showing how to power your iPad Mini with a Bulgarian power outlet by using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a 2 pinned Type C power charger and charging the iPad Mini using a Schuko Type F USB adapter.

Bulgarian power outlet

Varying complicated standards and plugs can all cause confusion when planning to stay in a different country, especially if you've never been there before. This guide has been written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini abroad.The following step-by-step guide will show you how to power your iPad Mini when you're travelling to Bulgaria using their Type F or C Bulgarian 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets. If travelling to Bulgaria from another country check your iPad Mini can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v ensure that the device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Bulgaria

Can the iPad Mini be used in Bulgaria?

You can use the iPad Mini in Bulgaria by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in Bulgaria?

When travelling with more than your iPad Mini and visiting multiple countries then the best travel adapter for Bulgaria to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of wall outlets that Bulgarians use (types F and C) and using a travel charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the supplied heads over. If your iPad Mini supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these travel adapters, plus compatibility with more power hungry devices. Unlike other adapters having a 4 port adapter means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power chargers or using up additional power outlets. Only needing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their versatility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and speakers and using only a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile travel charger at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose power charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Bulgaria

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Bulgaria and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from America going to Bulgaria.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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. This offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 Bulgaria. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in Bulgaria?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Bulgarian power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C power charger to charge the iPad Mini from a Bulgarian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini using a Bulgarian power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple usually supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad Mini).
  2. First plug the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Bulgarian power outlet. This ungrounded wall supply (called the Europlug) can be identified by the two round adjacent holes.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Bulgarian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Bulgarian power outlet

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

A guide on how to recharge the iPad Mini with a Bulgarian power outlet with a Lightning Apple connector with a Type F USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini from the Bulgarian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple usually supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad Mini.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can identify this plug outlet by the two round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the twin pins sit along with thin metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the bottom of the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Bulgarian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad Mini will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which should take between 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Bulgarian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Bulgaria country page on Wikipedia
  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 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 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..