How to charge an iPad Air 2 when visiting Russia

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPad Air 2 with a Russian power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Type C Europlug power charger and charging an iPad Air 2 using a Type F Schuko USB plug.

Russian power outlet

Differing combinations of standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. This isn't as complex as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets used in the world this article tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPad Air 2 in Russia. These instructions were specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad Air 2 abroad.This step-by-step guide will show how to power your iPad Air 2 when you're travelling to Russia using their standard types F or C 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of Russians will typically use Type F wall outlets. When you are travelling to Russia from another country please check your iPad Air 2 can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts double check your iPad Air 2 is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume that you've have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in Russia

Can the iPad Air 2 be used in Russia?

Yes, you can use an iPad Air 2 in Russia by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for an iPad Air 2 in Russia?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing more than just your iPad Air 2 the best international travel charger for Russia is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Russians use (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of 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 just by changing the plugs over. If your iPad Air 2 is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of power chargers, and support for more power hungry devices. Unlike other travel adapters this means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your Russian trip or occupying additional wall sockets. By only needing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional plug socket.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile power charger at your preferred electronics retailer; the multipurpose travel charger illustrated here 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 Russia

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 Air 2, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Russia and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Russia.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Russia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for an iPad Air 2 in Russia?

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Russian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPad Air 2 with a Russian power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Type C Europlug power charger.

  1. To supply power to the iPad Air 2 from a Russian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - normally already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. The wall supply (sometimes known as a Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug) is identified by two adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the Lightning charging cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Turn on the Russian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly one to four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Russian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a Russian power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Type F Schuko power charger to recharge an iPad Air 2 from a Russian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad Air 2 using the Russian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the USB cable is typically included with the iPad Air 2).
  2. First you'll need to plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Russian power outlet. This circular plug supply, also known as the Schuko outlet, can be recognised by two large round adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go along with a pair of two grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the Apple USB cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Switch on the Russian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air 2 is charging, typically taking roughly one to four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a Russian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Russia
  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..