How to charge the iPad 2 when staying in Cuba

Using the 30 pin Apple cable with a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter to charge the iPad 2 with a Cuban power outlet, how to recharge the iPad 2 using a three pin Type B USB adapter and recharging the iPad 2 using a 2 pinned Type C USB adapter

Cuban power outlet

If organizing a holiday to Cuba it's helpful to know if you'll be able to power your vital electronics like mobiles or laptop computers that you are bringing along. But, by not knowing which power socket is being used in Cuba you are likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, therefore having to buy a potentially overpriced power adaptor on arrival. Varying different combinations of region codes and plugs can often be confusing when planning to travel to a foreign country especially for the first time traveller. However this isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets used in the world this guide shows exactly what you'll need in advance to power your iPad 2 in Cuba. This page has been specifically written to prevent people worrying if they can charge their iPad 2 abroad.If you are staying in Cuba the following instructions show charging your iPad 2 by using the standard types C, A or B Cuban 110 volt 60Hz wall outlets, most Cubans use Type C sockets in their power outlets. If the iPad 2 doesn't power up or recharges slowly when you are travelling to Cuba from another region then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originated from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, so check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 2.

Charging the iPad 2 in Cuba

Can the iPad 2 be used in Cuba?

You can connect the iPad 2 to a Cuban power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 2 in Cuba?

When you are travelling to more than one country the best travel adapter for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different types of plug sockets (C, A and B) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the plugs. If your model of iPad 2 can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times with one of these power chargers and additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Having a four port charger means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring multiple travel adapters on your trip to Cuba. Because you are only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without using up an additional power outlet.

We suggest buying this type of flexible power charger online, the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad 2, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Cuba and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Cuba using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 2 in Cuba?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet

Using the 30 pin Apple cable with a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter to charge the iPad 2 with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPad 2 using a Cuban power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPad 2).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Cuban power outlet. The power supply (called a Type A power outlet [3]) can be recognised by the two slots next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the 30 pin cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet

Charging the iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using an Apple 30 pin cable with a 3 pinned Type B USB charger to power your iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPad 2 using a Cuban power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should typically include the USB cable with your iPad 2).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Cuban power outlet. The plug outlet (called a Type B power outlet [6]) can be identified by two thin slots adjacent to each other with a single semicircle shaped hole below for the slightly longer earth pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is recharging and takes between 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet

Using an Apple 30-pin cable with a Type C power charger to power your iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad 2 from the Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is typically included with your device).
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 round adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad 2 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is recharging taking roughly 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuban Wikipedia page
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..