How to charge your iPad Air 2 from a power outlet in Bulgaria

Instructions on how to power your iPad Air 2 from a Bulgarian power outlet using a Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter and recharging an iPad Air 2 using a Schuko Type F USB adapter.

Bulgarian power outlet

Various standards and plugs can often be daunting when planning on travelling to another country, especially if you've never visited before. This guide has been specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPad Air 2 abroad.If you're travelling to Bulgaria these useful instructions show charging your iPad Air 2 by using the standard types F or C Bulgarian 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets. When you are visiting Bulgaria from a different country make sure that the iPad Air 2 can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) check your iPad Air 2 is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional voltage converter to avoid the device from overheating when charging it. If you intend on taking a trip to a city such as Sofia or Plovdiv we also recommend reading the Bulgaria Wikipedia web page [1] for more indepth details prior to travelling to the area. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in Bulgaria

Can you use an iPad Air 2 in Bulgaria?

Yes, you can use an iPad Air 2 in Bulgaria by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Bulgaria?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad Air 2 the best travel charger for Bulgaria is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of plug sockets that Bulgarians use (types F and C) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the included plugs. If your iPad Air 2 supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel adapters, and support for certain power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters having a 4 port charger will also allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power adapters on your trip to Bulgaria. Only needing to pack a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling as well as being on hand for charging your iPad Air 2 at an airport or on a plane. Because of their flexibility these types of adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend buying this type of flexible power charger at an electronics retailer. The travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Bulgaria

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America going to Bulgaria using 3 pinned 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 from North America using type B plugs. This 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 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 majority of travellers from around the world visiting Bulgaria. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Bulgaria?

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Bulgarian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using a Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C Europlug USB charger to power your iPad Air 2 from a Bulgarian power outlet.

  1. In order to power your iPad Air 2 using a Bulgarian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will usually supply this cable with your iPad Air 2).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Bulgarian power outlet. You can recognise the power supply by 2 round holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the USB adapter 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 Bulgarian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air 2 is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Bulgarian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a Bulgarian power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter to recharge your iPad Air 2 from a Bulgarian power outlet.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Air 2 from the Bulgarian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include this cable when you first purchase your iPad Air 2.
  2. Plug the Type F USB power plug adapter in the Bulgarian power outlet. You can recognise this wall supply by two large circular adjacent holes where the live and neutral plug outlet pins go and metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the power adapter 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 Bulgarian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes between 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from a Bulgarian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Bulgaria Wikipedia web 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 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..