Charging your iPad Mini from a power outlet in Spain

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type C Europlug power charger to charge your iPad Mini with a Spanish power outlet and how to power the iPad Mini using a Type F Schuko power adapter.

Spanish power outlet

When organizing a holiday it's useful to know if you can power all your devices when you get there. By not knowing which power socket is used you may end up either weighing yourself down with too many adaptors or bring the wrong power charger, leaving you having to borrow a suitable power adaptor on arrival that could be incompatible and cause damage to your iPad Mini. Various combinations of voltages and sockets can often lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially to the first time traveller. These guidelines were specifically written to prevent travellers worrying if they'll be able to charge the iPad Mini when they're staying in Spain.When you're visiting Spain this page has instructions showing you charging the iPad Mini by using the types F or C 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, most Spaniards will use the Type F plug outlets. When travelling to Spain from a different country please double check the iPad Mini can accept a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure your device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from overloading whilst powering it up. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Spain

Can the iPad Mini be used in Spain?

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

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

When travelling with more than just your iPad Mini the best international travel adapter for Spain 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 Spaniards use (F and C) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your model of iPad Mini supports Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers and compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

Having a four port adapter means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy individual travel chargers or occupying additional power sockets. Because you are only packing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage and on hand for recharging your iPad Mini at an airport or on the flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers with just a single power outlet.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

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 Mini, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Spain and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Spain using type B American 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 originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad Mini in Spain?

Powering the iPad Mini with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type C Europlug power charger to charge your iPad Mini with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad Mini from a Spanish power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Spanish power outlet. You can identify the power outlet by the two holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB power cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Spanish 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 Mini is powering up and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Spanish power outlet

Using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type F Schuko power adapter to recharge your iPad Mini with a Spanish power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad Mini using a Spanish power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is normally already supplied with your iPad Mini).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the two large holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral and a pair of thin grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad Mini screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is powering up and takes around one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Spanish power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Spain 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 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. 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..