How to charge the iPad Mini when planning a trip to South Africa

Instructions on how to charge the iPad Mini from a South African power outlet using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a Type F USB adapter, recharging the iPad Mini using a double pinned Europlug Type C power charger and how to charge the iPad Mini using a three pinned Type M power plug

South African power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets used in the world this article tells you exactly what to buy in advance to charge the iPad Mini . The following step by step guide will show you exactly how to charge your iPad Mini when you are travelling to South Africa using their standard types M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type M plug outlets will be normally used by most South Africans. When travelling to South Africa from another country check the iPad Mini can be charged using a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) check your iPad Mini is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in South Africa

Can the iPad Mini be used in South Africa?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini in South Africa by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in South Africa?

When travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for South Africa to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different standards of power outlets (M, C, F and N) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by changing the plugs over. If your iPad Mini is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of USB power chargers along with additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. This will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers. Because you are only packing a single travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling frequently we suggest buying an adaptable travel adapter like this online. The travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to South Africa using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the 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 most travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad Mini in South Africa?

Charging the iPad Mini from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

A guide on how to recharge the iPad Mini with a South African power outlet with a Lightning connector and a two pinned Type C power adapter.

  1. In order to power the iPad Mini using the South African power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPad Mini.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two circular holes next to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad Mini screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging taking around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Charging the iPad Mini from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using a Lightning Apple cable with a double pin Type F Schuko power charger to recharge the iPad Mini with a South African power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPad Mini from a South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins go, plus thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the Lightning charging cord into the mains 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 South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is powering up, typically taking roughly one to four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

How to use a Type M power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a South African power outlet

Using a Lightning cable and a three pinned Type M power charger to recharge the iPad Mini with a South African power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPad Mini using a South African power outlet you'll need to use a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad Mini).
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type M USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can identify this plug outlet by three large circular holes in a triangular pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the Lightning charging cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up which typically takes between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type M power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a South African power outlet

How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a South African power outlet

Instructions on how to charge the iPad Mini from a South African power outlet using the Apple Lightning connector and a Type N power adapter.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad Mini using a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], typically already supplied with your device by Apple.
  2. Plug in the Type N USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise this hexagon shaped plug outlet by three large holes in a flattened triangular shape for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging and takes roughly one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a South African power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa Wikipedia web 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. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  12. 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..