Charging your iPad 4 from a power outlet in Italy

A step by step guide showing how to power your iPad 4 with an Italian power outlet using the Apple USB Lightning connector and a 3 pin Type L USB charger, powering the iPad 4 using a 2 pin Europlug Type C power adapter and charging the iPad 4 using a double pinned Type F USB charger

Italian power outlet

Various combinations of standards and voltages can all be confusing when planning on staying in a different country, especially to the first time traveller. This page was written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad 4 abroad.If planning a trip to Italy these instructions show charging the iPad 4 using the Type L, C or F Italian 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, you'll discover a majority of Italians use the Type L sockets in their wall outlets. When travelling to Italy from a different region ensure that your iPad 4 can accept a 240 volt supply. If your iPad 4 came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from being damaged whilst powering it. If you're planning to stay somewhere such as Rome we also suggest reading the Italian country page on Wikipedia.org [1] for further information. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 4.

Charging the iPad 4 in Italy

Can you use the iPad 4 in Italy?

You can use the iPad 4 in Italy.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Italy?

If you are travelling to multiple countries or bringing more than just your iPad 4 then the best travel adapter for Italy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Italians use three different types of power outlets (types L, C and F) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the heads over. If your type of iPad 4 supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of power adapters and additional support for more power hungry devices.

Unlike other chargers this will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack individual travel chargers on your Italian trip. Only needing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being on hand for recharging your iPad 4 at an airport or on your flight. Because of their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones using just a single power outlet.

We recommend searching for this type of flexible travel adapter online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

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 via USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering 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 option for travellers originating from America visiting Italy using type B US 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 from the US using type B plugs. This offers the same set of features as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Italy?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet

A guide showing how to charge your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple cable and a Europlug Type C USB charger.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already included with the iPad 4).
  2. First insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Italian power outlet. This unearthed plug supply is identified by two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 4 is powering up and takes roughly one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector and a 2 pin Schuko Type F power adapter to recharge your iPad 4 with an Italian power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad 4 using the Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the cable is normally already included with your iPad 4.
  2. Start by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise the wall outlet by two large holes 19 mm next to each other and a pair of two metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple power cable into the bottom of the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging which typically takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet

How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet

A step by step guide showing how to power your iPad 4 with an Italian power outlet using the Apple USB Lightning connector and a 3 pin Type L USB charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet you will need to use a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple should normally supply this USB cable with the iPad 4.
  2. Firstly insert the Type L USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. The hexagon shaped power supply, technically called a Type L power outlet [8], can be identified by the 3 large circular holes forming a line for live, neutral and ground. There are two different types of Type L wall outlet rated at 10 amps and 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm round pins spaced 5.5mm apart, and a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm thick round pins which are spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple charging cord into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging, typically taking roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from an Italian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italian country page on Wikipedia.org
  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. 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..