How to charge an iPad Air 2 when planning a trip to France

Using the Apple Lightning connector and a two pinned Europlug Type C power charger to charge an iPad Air 2 from a French power outlet and how to charge an iPad Air 2 using a double pinned Type E power plug.

French power outlet

Various standards and plugs can often be daunting when planning on staying in a new country for the first time traveller. This guide was written to prevent you having to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Air 2 abroad.This page has simple instructions telling you exactly what you'll need to supply power to the iPad Air 2 when staying in France by using their types E or C French 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you will find most French use Type E plug outlets. When visiting France from another country please check your iPad Air 2 can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts ensure that your device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from overloading during charging. These instructions assume that you've have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in France

Can the iPad Air 2 be used in France?

You can use an iPad Air 2 in France by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for an iPad Air 2 in France?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPad Air 2 and visiting more than one country then the best travel adapter for France to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of plug sockets that French use (E and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the included heads over. If your iPad Air 2 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these USB travel chargers and additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel chargers this will also allow you to power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power chargers or using up additional power outlets. Because you are only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad Air 2 at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets and phones without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel to France we recommend searching for this type of flexible power adapter online. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for France

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 Air 2, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering 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 best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to France.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This offers the same functionality as the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a flexible 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 France. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for an iPad Air 2 in France?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a French power outlet

Using a USB Lightning cable with a double pin Type C Europlug power charger to power an iPad Air 2 with a French power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad Air 2 using a French power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the power outlet. The power supply (called the Europlug) can be identified by the two holes next to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Lightning power cord into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Air 2 is recharging which should take around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a French power outlet

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

A step by step guide showing how to recharge your iPad Air 2 from a French power outlet by using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a Type E power charger.

  1. In order to power an iPad Air 2 using the French power outlet you'll need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the USB cable is usually included with the iPad Air 2 by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type E USB power plug adapter in the French power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two 4.8mm circular adjacent holes plus a metal grounding pin protruding from the top in a triangular pattern.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning power cord into the bottom of the mains USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Switch on the French power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a French power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type E USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - French 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..