How to charge the iPad in America

Instructions on how to recharge your iPad from an American power outlet with an Apple 30 pin cable with a 3 pinned Type A USB adapter and how to recharge the iPad using a three pinned Type B USB adapter.

American power outlet

When packing for a vacation it can be useful to know in advance if you can power your essential devices when you get there. However without knowing which plug socket is being used you are more likely to bring the wrong power charger, meaning needing to purchase a potentially overpriced power adaptor when you're there. Varying complicated combinations of region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning on travelling to another country, especially for the first time traveller. However this isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of standards used in the world this guide shows exactly what you'll need in advance to power your iPad in America. This page has been written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPad when abroad.When you're going to travel to America these useful instructions show how to supply power to your iPad using their B or A type 120 volt 60Hz plug outlets, Type B power outlets are used by most Americans. You will discover that most power sockets will vary from region to region therefore we suggest that you read our Wikiconnections world power supplies page for a full list of powering devices in different destinations. If your iPad charges slowly or does not power up when travelling to America from another country then check that it is compatible with a 120 volt power supply. Typically electrical devices which originate from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, check your device is dual voltage (you'll find these are normally marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in America

Can the iPad be used in America?

Yes, you can use the iPad in America.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad in America?

When you are travelling to more than one country the best international travel power adapter for America to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Americans use two different types of plug sockets (B and A) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type A.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by switching the plugs. If your iPad supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices like tablets.

This means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power chargers on your trip to America or occupying additional power outlets. By only packing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your iPad at the airport or on the plane. Due to their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones with only a single plug socket.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile travel adapter at your preferred electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for America

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, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both America and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 portable power converter for travellers originating from North America going to America using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting America. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad in America?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad from an American power outlet

Instructions on how to recharge your iPad from an American power outlet with an Apple 30 pin cable with a 3 pinned Type A USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPad using an American power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple will typically include the USB cable with your iPad.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two thin adjacent slots next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which should take roughly 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad from an American power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad from an American power outlet

Using an Apple USB 30-pin cable with a Type B power charger to power your iPad from an American power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPad using an American power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is usually already supplied with the iPad).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the American power outlet. The plug outlet (sometimes called a Type B power outlet [6]) can be identified by two thin slots with a semicircular hole below for the slightly longer earthed pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the American power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which takes roughly 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad from an American power outlet

See also

  1. Visittheusa - Visit The USA
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  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..