Charging the iPad 3 when planning a trip to Italy

A page showing how to charge your iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable with a Type F USB charger, powering the iPad 3 using a Type C USB plug and recharging the iPad 3 using a Type L USB plug

Italian power outlet

Varying different region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a foreign country especially for the first time traveller. This page is a useful guide showing how to supply power to the iPad 3 when you're travelling to Italy using the types L, C or F 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, a majority of Italians will use the Type L plug outlets. If you are visiting Italy from another country ensure that your iPad 3 can accept a 240v supply. If your iPad 3 was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from being damaged when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in Italy

Can you use the iPad 3 in Italy?

You can use the iPad 3 in Italy by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in Italy?

When travelling with more than just your iPad 3 or visiting more than one country then the best travel charger for Italy to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different types of power outlets that Italians use (L, C and F) and using a power adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by changing the included heads. If your iPad 3 can support Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel adapters for your Italian trip or using up additional power sockets. Only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage and on hand for recharging your iPad 3 at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers using just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Italy we suggest searching for an adaptable travel charger of this nature online - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be useful when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Italy 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 most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Italy using 3 pinned type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs. This gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in Italy?

Powering the iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger to charge your iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad 3 from an Italian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will usually include this USB cable when you buy the iPad 3).
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Italian power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power 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 Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable with a Type F USB charger.

  1. To power your iPad 3 using the Italian power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually include this cable with the iPad 3).
  2. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. The circular wall outlet can be recognised by two circular adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into, plus two metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the charging 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 can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 3 is powering up and takes around one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Powering the iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type L USB charger to charge your iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad 3 using the Italian power outlet you will need to use a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will typically supply the cable with the iPad 3.
  2. Start by taking the Type L USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can identify the hexagon shaped wall outlet by three round holes forming a line. Please note there are two different variations of Type L plug supply rated at 10 amps and 16 amps. The 10 amp wall outlet has 4mm thick pins spaced 5.5mm apart whilst a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm thick pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the mains power 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 Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with an Italian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italy Wikipedia 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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  10. 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..