How to charge your iPad Air from a power outlet in America

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad Air with an American power outlet by using the Lightning Apple cable with a 2 pinned Type A power charger and charging the iPad Air using a 3 pinned Type B USB charger.

American power outlet

Complicated region codes and plug types can all be confusing when planning to travel to a different country especially for the first time traveller. This page has been written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPad Air abroad.If you are visiting America this page contains instructions showing you how to charge the iPad Air using their Type B or A American 120 volt 60Hz wall outlets, please note that Type B plug outlets are used by most Americans. You will find that most power supplies will change regionally so we recommend that you read our Wikiconnections global power sockets guide where you'll find a full list showing countries. If your iPad Air does not power up or charges slowly when you are travelling to America from a different country check that it is compatible with a 120 volt power supply. Devices which originate from a different 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 (you'll find these are usually marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in America

Can you use the iPad Air in America?

Yes, you can use the iPad Air in America by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Air in America?

If travelling to multiple countries the best travel charger for America to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of plug sockets that Americans use (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPad Air is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these power chargers and additional compatibility with more power hungry devices. Unlike other chargers this means you can power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy multiple travel adapters or using up additional wall sockets. By only packing a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the size down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPad Air at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones and using just a single plug socket.

We recommend searching for a multipurpose power charger similar to this online, the multipurpose power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for America

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 portable power converter for travellers originating from America going to America using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • 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 from the US using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with 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 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting America. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Air in America?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Air from an American power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad Air with an American power outlet by using the Lightning Apple cable with a 2 pinned Type A power charger.

  1. To supply power to the iPad Air using the American power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally included with your device by Apple).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two thin adjacent slots where the live and neutral plug outlet pins go.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB Apple cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes between 1-4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad Air from an American power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Air from an American power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple connector with a 3 pinned Type B USB charger to power your iPad Air from an American power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Air from the American power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally included with the iPad Air by Apple).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two thin slots adjacent to each other with a hole below for the long earthed pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the cord into the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air.
  4. Turn on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad Air will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up, typically taking roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Air from an American power outlet

See also

  1. Visittheusa - Visit The USA
  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 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 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. 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..