How to charge the iPad 3 when staying in North Korea

A page on how to power your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet with the 30 pin Apple connector and a three pinned Type A USB adapter, how to charge the iPad 3 using a Type C power plug and recharging the iPad 3 using a two pin Type F USB charger

North Korean power outlet

Various region codes and plugs can often be confusing when planning to visit a different country especially if you've never visited before. This isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what to buy in advance to charge your iPad 3 in North Korea. This guide shows what you'll need to supply power to your iPad 3 when you're visiting North Korea by using the standard Type F, A or C North Korean 220 volt 60Hz wall outlets. When you are visiting North Korea from a different country check your iPad 3 can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your device is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from overheating when powering up. If you intend on travelling to a North Korean place like Pyongyang please read the North Korean Wikipedia page [1] for more information on visiting the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in North Korea

Can the iPad 3 be used in North Korea?

You can connect the iPad 3 to a North Korean power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 3 in North Korea?

When you are travelling to more than one country the best travel charger for North Korea is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. North Koreans use three different types of plug sockets (F, A and C) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by changing the included heads over. If your model of iPad 3 can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters this will also allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power chargers. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter 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 different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for North Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both North Korea 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 option for travellers originating from North America going to North Korea using 3 pinned type B American 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 North America using type B plugs. This offers almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 3 in North Korea?

Powering the iPad 3 with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

A page on how to power your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet with the 30 pin Apple connector and a three pinned Type A USB adapter.

  1. If you want to power your iPad 3 from the North Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad 3.
  2. Begin by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the North Korean power outlet. The plug outlet, technically known as the Type A power outlet [3], is recognised by the two thin adjacent slots.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad 3 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which typically takes roughly one-four hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet

Using a USB 30-pin cable with a 2 pinned Type C USB charger to recharge your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPad 3 using a North Korean power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally included with your device).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 adjacent holes where the twin pins slide into.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the North Korean 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 tablet is powering up, typically taking around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet

Using the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type F power charger to power your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad 3 using a North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is typically already supplied with the iPad 3 by Apple).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This round wall supply (called a Schuko outlet or Type F power outlet [8]) can be recognised by the two large circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins, plus a pair of two thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB 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. Switch on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 3 is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a North Korean power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - North Korean 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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..