Charging the iPad 3 when staying in Spain

Instructions showing you how to recharge your iPad 3 from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type C power charger and charging the iPad 3 using a 2 pin Type F USB charger.

Spanish power outlet

Varying different standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of common standards being used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPad 3 . These instructions were specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad 3 when you are travelling to Spain.This step-by-step guide tells you how to charge your iPad 3 in Spain using their standard types F or C 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you'll find a majority of Spaniards will use Type F plugs in their power outlets. Power supplies change regionally therefore please read our WikiConnections world power connections guide for a complete list of charging devices in different destinations. When you are visiting Spain from another country please check the iPad 3 can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPad 3 came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure that the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from being damaged when powering up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in Spain

Can you use the iPad 3 in Spain?

You can connect the iPad 3 to a Spanish power outlet by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 3 in Spain?

If you are travelling to more than one country then the best travel adapter for Spain to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of power outlets that Spaniards use (F and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by changing the plugs over. If your iPad 3 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these USB power chargers, along with support for more power hungry devices.

This will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power adapters on your Spanish trip or using up additional wall outlets. Because you are only packing a single USB travel charger will also keep the size down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets using just a single wall outlet.

If you travel to Spain we recommend buying an adaptable travel adapter similar to this online; the multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Spain 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 best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Spain 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 Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 3 in Spain?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Spanish power outlet

Instructions showing you how to recharge your iPad 3 from a Spanish power outlet with the USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type C power charger.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad 3 using the Spanish power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple should usually include the cable when you buy the iPad 3.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Spanish power outlet. This unearthed power outlet is recognised by 2 round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 3 is powering up, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Spanish power outlet

Charging the iPad 3 from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using an Apple USB 30-pin connector with a Type F USB adapter to power the iPad 3 with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 3 using a Spanish power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually already included with the iPad 3.
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two large circular holes 19 mm apart from each other where the live and neutral pins sit, plus thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes around 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 3 from a Spanish power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Spanish Wikipedia web page
  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..