Charging the iPad Mini 2 when planning a trip to Belgium

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad Mini 2 from a Belgian power outlet by using a Lightning connector with a Europlug Type C USB charger and recharging the iPad Mini 2 using a Type E USB plug.

Belgian power outlet

Varying different voltages and region codes can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially if you've never been there before. These instructions were specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini 2 when staying in Belgium.This page has simple instructions showing you how to charge your iPad Mini 2 when visiting Belgium using the types E or C 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, most Belgians will use the Type E power outlets. You will discover that power supplies change depending on which region you are in therefore we suggest reading the Europe page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to Belgium from a different country please make sure that your iPad Mini 2 can accept a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPad Mini 2 is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to avoid the device from overheating whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in Belgium

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in Belgium?

Yes, you can connect the iPad Mini 2 to a Belgian power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in Belgium?

If you are travelling to more than one country then the best travel charger for Belgium to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of wall outlets that Belgians use (E and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the included heads over. If your type of iPad Mini 2 is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel chargers. Only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage and convenient for charging your iPad Mini 2 at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power charger online; the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Belgium

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, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from America going to Belgium using 3 pin type B 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 gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Belgium. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in Belgium?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from a Belgian power outlet

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad Mini 2 from a Belgian power outlet by using a Lightning connector with a Europlug Type C USB charger.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad Mini 2 using the Belgian power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually supplied with your iPad Mini 2.
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded plug supply is identified by the two round adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB charger 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. Switch on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad Mini 2 from a Belgian power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type E USB charger to charge your iPad Mini 2 with a Belgian power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad Mini 2 from a Belgian power outlet you will need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - this USB cable is typically already supplied with your iPad Mini 2.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type E USB power plug adapter into the Belgian power outlet. This sunken round power outlet, also known as a Type E power outlet [6] or CEE 7/7 plug, can be identified by the two 4.8mm round holes 19mm adjacent to each other along with a metal earth pin protruding in the top in a triangular shape.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the Belgian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a Belgian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Belgium Wikipedia 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 E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  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..