Charging the iPad 3 when staying in Saudi Arabia

A guide on how to charge your iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet by using a USB 30 pin cable and a Type B power adapter, charging the iPad 3 using a three pin Type G USB plug and charging the iPad 3 using a two pin Type A USB plug

Saudi Arabian power outlet

If you are packing for a trip it's useful to know in advance if you'll be able to power any common electrical devices when you're there. However, by not knowing which plug socket to expect you are likely to bring the wrong power charger, therefore leaving you needing to buy or borrow a potentially expensive adaptor on arrival that might not be compatible. Complicated standards and sockets can all be daunting when planning on visiting another country, especially to the first time traveller. The following simple instructions shows exactly what you'll need to charge the iPad 3 when you're visiting Saudi Arabia using the standard G, A, B or D type Saudi Arabian 220 volt 60Hz wall outlets, Type G wall outlets will be used by a majority of Saudis. If visiting Saudi Arabia from a different country please ensure your iPad 3 can accept a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check that the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in Saudi Arabia

Can the iPad 3 be used in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, you can connect the iPad 3 to a Saudi Arabian power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 3 in Saudi Arabia?

If you are travelling with more than your iPad 3 the best international travel charger for Saudi Arabia to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four standards of power outlets that Saudi Arabians use (G, A, B and D) and using a travel adapter like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and G.

As these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by switching the supplied plugs. If your iPad 3 is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of USB power adapters, plus compatibility with certain power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters this will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring seperate travel adapters. By only needing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage and suitable for charging your iPad 3 at an airport or on a flight. Due to their versatility these types of travel adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets using only a single power outlet.

We suggest searching for a flexible power adapter of this nature 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 countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Saudi Arabia

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 3, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover 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 most popular portable option for travellers originating from America visiting Saudi Arabia using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet at almost half 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 Saudi Arabia. [12] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 3 in Saudi Arabia?

Charging the iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

Using a 30-pin connector and a Type G USB charger to power the iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet you will need to use a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (the USB cable is typically supplied with the device by Apple).
  2. Start by plugging the Type G USB power plug adapter in the Saudi Arabian power outlet. The wall outlet, technically called a Type G power outlet [3], can be identified by three rectangular holes with shutters in a triangular pattern for live, neutral and ground.
  3. Plug in one end of the charging cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Saudi Arabian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

Powering the iPad 3 with a Saudi Arabian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Using a 30-pin connector and a Type A USB charger to power the iPad 3 with a Saudi Arabian power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 3 using the Saudi Arabian power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually supply the cable when you buy the iPad 3).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Saudi Arabian power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by two thin slots next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the charging cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Saudi Arabian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which typically takes around one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with a Saudi Arabian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad 3 with a Saudi Arabian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using a 30 pin cable and a Type B USB adapter to power your iPad 3 with a Saudi Arabian power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 3 using a Saudi Arabian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple typically supply the USB cable with the iPad 3).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Saudi Arabian power outlet. This power outlet (sometimes called the Type B power outlet [8]) can be recognised by 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the twin plug outlet blades sit with a semicircular shaped hole below for the longer grounded pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Saudi Arabian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes around 1 to 4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with a Saudi Arabian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet

Instructions on how to charge your iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet with a 30 pin connector and a Type F USB adapter.

  1. In order to power the iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple typically supply the cable with the iPad 3.
  2. Start by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two large round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins along with a pair of thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the Saudi Arabian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a Saudi Arabian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Saudi Arabian Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  4. Type G USB power plug adapter - Suitable for use in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a grounded three pin Type G adapter turns UK electrical power outlets into USB ports for reliable 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 A power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  9. 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..
  10. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  11. 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..
  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..