Charging your iPad Mini 2 from a power outlet in South Africa

A guide showing how to power your iPad Mini 2 with a South African power outlet using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a 3 pin Type M power charger, how to charge the iPad Mini 2 using a 2 pin Type C Europlug power adapter and charging the iPad Mini 2 using a double pinned Type F USB charger

South African power outlet

Complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never been there before. These guidelines have been specifically written to stop visitors having to worry if they can charge the iPad Mini 2 when they're travelling abroad.This page is a step by step guide demonstrating exactly what you'll need to charge the iPad Mini 2 when you're travelling to South Africa using the M, C, F or N type South African 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, you will discover a majority of South Africans will use the Type M sockets in their wall outlets. If you are travelling to South Africa from a different region please check the iPad Mini 2 can accept a 240v supply. If it was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the iPad Mini 2 is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overheating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in South Africa

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in South Africa?

You can use the iPad Mini 2 in South Africa.

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

If travelling to more than one country or bringing more than your iPad Mini 2 then the best international travel adapter for South Africa is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. South Africans use four different types of power outlets (M, C, F and N) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by changing the heads. If your type of iPad Mini 2 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these types of travel chargers along with support for more power demanding devices like tablets.

This means you can charge more than one device at once without needing to buy individual power adapters or occupying additional power sockets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and e-readers with just a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of flexible travel adapter online. The multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

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 2, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America going to South Africa.
  • 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 America using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in South Africa?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet

Instructions showing how to power the iPad Mini 2 with a South African power outlet using an Apple USB Lightning connector with a two pin Type C USB adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should normally include this USB cable with the iPad Mini 2).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the two round holes next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains 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. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes roughly one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet

Charging the iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using the Apple Lightning cable and a Type F Schuko power adapter to recharge your iPad Mini 2 with a South African power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPad Mini 2 using the 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] - Apple should normally include this USB cable with the iPad Mini 2.
  2. Start by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm apart from each other where the twin pins go along with two metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Apple cable into the bottom of the mains power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which takes roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

A guide showing how to power your iPad Mini 2 with a South African power outlet using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a 3 pin Type M power charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Mini 2 using the South African power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], the cable is normally already supplied with your iPad Mini 2.
  2. Plug the Type M USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by three round holes forming a triangle pattern for live, neutral and ground.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains 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. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 2 is powering up and takes roughly one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Charging the iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

Using a Lightning Apple cable and a Type N USB adapter to power the iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini 2 using a South African power outlet you'll need a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], this USB cable is normally supplied with your iPad Mini 2 by Apple.
  2. Start by inserting the Type N USB power plug adapter into the power supply. The squashed hexagon shaped plug supply, technically known as a Type N power outlet [10], can be identified by 3 large circular holes in a flattened triangle shape for live, neutral and earth.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple charging cord 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 can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 2 is charging, typically taking between 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 2 from a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type N USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South African 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..