Charging your iPad Mini 2 from a power outlet in Italy

Instructions showing how to charge your iPad Mini 2 from an Italian power outlet with the USB Lightning Apple connector with a two pin Europlug Type C power adapter, how to power the iPad Mini 2 using a Schuko Type F USB plug and recharging the iPad Mini 2 using a Type L USB plug

Italian power outlet

Varying different standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning on staying in a foreign country, especially to the first time traveller. This page has been written to help prepare travellers wanting to charge the iPad Mini 2 when they are travelling abroad.This simple guide tells you exactly how to supply power to your iPad Mini 2 when travelling to Italy using their standard L, C or F type 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, most Italians typically use Type L plug outlets. If travelling to Italy from a different country please ensure your iPad Mini 2 can accept a 240 volt supply. If your iPad Mini 2 originated in 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) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to prevent the device from overheating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in Italy

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in Italy?

You can connect the iPad Mini 2 to an Italian power outlet by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in Italy?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPad Mini 2 and visiting multiple countries the best travel charger for Italy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Italians use three different types of power outlets (L, C and F) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the heads. If your type of iPad Mini 2 supports Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times with one of these USB travel chargers, and compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other adapters this will allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy seperate travel adapters or occupying additional power sockets. By only needing to bring a single USB travel charger will also keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage while travelling. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers with just a single plug socket.

If you travel to different countries we suggest buying a versatile power charger of this nature online. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

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 Mini 2, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 North America going to Italy.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from 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 just 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in Italy?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from an Italian power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple cable with a double pinned Type C power adapter to power your iPad Mini 2 with an Italian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini 2 from the Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is usually supplied with the device by Apple).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise the wall outlet by the two round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect one end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from an Italian power outlet

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

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

  1. To power the iPad Mini 2 using an Italian power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the USB cable is typically supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Italian power outlet. The circular plug supply can be recognised by the two round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the twin plug outlet pins sit and two grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the USB charging cord into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 2 is powering up which typically takes between 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with an Italian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from an Italian power outlet

Using an Apple USB Lightning cable and a Type L USB adapter to power the iPad Mini 2 with an Italian power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini 2 using the Italian power outlet you will need a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually included with the device).
  2. Start by plugging the Type L USB power plug adapter into the Italian power outlet. You can identify the flattened hexagon shaped power outlet by three circular adjecent holes in a line. You'll find there are two different variations of Type L power outlet rated at 10 amps and 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm pins spaced 5.5mm apart whilst a 16 amp version has larger 5mm pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB charging cord into the bottom of the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 2 is powering up which takes between 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from an Italian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italian 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 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..