How to charge the iPad 4 from a power outlet in Sao Tome

A step-by-step guide showing how to recharge your iPad 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet using a Lightning cable with a Europlug Type C USB adapter and powering the iPad 4 using a Type F power charger.

Sao Tome power outlet

Different standards and plugs can often cause confusion when planning on staying in a foreign country to the first time traveller. This guide was specifically written to prevent you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad 4 when you're in Sao Tome.These instructions will show you exactly how to charge your iPad 4 when you're visiting Sao Tome by using their F or C type 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets. When you are visiting Sao Tome from another region please ensure that the iPad 4 can be used with a 240v supply. If your iPad 4 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) double check your device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from overheating whilst powering it up. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 4.

Charging the iPad 4 in Sao Tome

Can you use the iPad 4 in Sao Tome?

Yes, you can use the iPad 4 in Sao Tome by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Sao Tome?

If travelling with more than your iPad 4 or visiting multiple countries then the best travel charger for Sao Tome to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Sao Tomean use two different types of plug sockets (types F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by changing the supplied heads. If your iPad 4 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these travel adapters, and support for certain power hungry devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters. Because you are only needing to bring a single international USB travel charger will help keep the size down, making it ideal to fold up in hand baggage and suitable for recharging your iPad 4 at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets with only a single power outlet.

We suggest searching for this type of versatile travel charger at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Sao Tome

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 visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 most popular compact power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting Sao Tome using 3 pin type B US 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 North America using type B plugs and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 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 ideal for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Sao Tome. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Sao Tome?

Charging the iPad 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

A step-by-step guide showing how to recharge your iPad 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet using a Lightning cable with a Europlug Type C USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to your iPad 4 from the Sao Tome 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 typically include the USB cable when you first purchase your iPad 4.
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Sao Tome power outlet. You can recognise the plug supply by 2 circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad 4 will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which takes roughly 1-4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Charging the iPad 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using the Lightning Apple cable with a Type F power adapter to charge the iPad 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet.

  1. In order to charge your iPad 4 using a Sao Tome power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally supplied with the iPad 4).
  2. Begin by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. The recessed circular power supply, also known as the Type F power outlet [6] or Schuko outlet, can be recognised by the two 4.8mm adjacent holes where the live and neutral plug outlet pins go and a pair of two thin grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Sao Tome power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 4 is recharging which should take around 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 4 from a Sao Tome power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Sao Tome entry on wikipedia.org
  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..