How to charge the iPad 3 when planning a trip to England

Using the USB 30-pin Apple connector and a Type G power charger to charge the iPad 3 from a British power outlet.

British power outlet

When organizing a vacation it can be helpful to know if you'll be able to charge any important devices at your destination. But, by not knowing which power socket is used you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, meaning having to buy or borrow a potentially overpriced adaptor when you arrive which could be incompatible. Varying different voltages and standards can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. When you are staying in England this page has useful instructions showing how to supply power to your iPad 3 by using the 230 volt 50Hz G Type wall outlet, with the Britons using BS 1363 13 amp plugs for wall outlets. If travelling to England from a different region check that the iPad 3 can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPad 3 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) double check your iPad 3 is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from being damaged when powering up. If you intend on staying somewhere like London or Hove we also recommend referring to the wikipedia.org entry about England [1] for more information prior to the location. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in England

Can the iPad 3 be used in England?

You can use the iPad 3 in England by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 3 in England?

If travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for England to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by changing the included plugs. If your model of iPad 3 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these travel adapters plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Having a 4 port charger will also allow you to power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring individual power chargers. Because you are only packing a single travel charger will also keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their versatility these types of power adapters can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers using just a single plug socket.

We suggest searching for a multipurpose travel adapter similar to this online. The travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for England

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 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 can be necessary for visitors of regions with unstable power supplies. These travel 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 converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from North America going to England using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise 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 more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting England. [6] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 3 in England?

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

Instructions on how to charge the iPad 3 from a British power outlet using a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a Type G USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to your iPad 3 from a British power outlet you will need to buy a Type G USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will usually supply the USB cable with your iPad 3).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type G USB power plug adapter into the British power outlet. The wall supply, technically known as the Type G power outlet [3], looks like three holes in a triangular pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the 30 pin cord into the bottom of the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the British 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 3 is recharging which takes around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad 3 from a British power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type G USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about England
  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. 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..