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

A guide on how to recharge the iPad 3 with a Portuguese power outlet with a USB 30 pin connector and a two pinned Type C USB charger and recharging the iPad 3 using a Type F power charger.

Portuguese power outlet

If packing for a vacation it's helpful to know in advance if you can power all your common electrical devices when you reach your destination. But, by not knowing which power socket is being used you could end up either weighing your luggage down with unnecessary spare adaptors or bring the wrong adaptor, thereby leaving you needing to purchase a suitable adaptor on arrival. Complicated voltages and plugs can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of standards being used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what you'll need to purchase in advance to power the iPad 3 in Portugal. If you're going to Portugal this page has instructions showing powering your iPad 3 by using the F or C type 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, Type F power outlets are typically used by a majority of Portuguese. When you are travelling to Portugal from another country please check that your iPad 3 can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure the iPad 3 is dual-voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to avoid the device from overheating when charging it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in Portugal

Can you use the iPad 3 in Portugal?

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

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad 3 in Portugal?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad 3 and visiting multiple countries the best travel adapter for Portugal to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of plug sockets that Portuguese use (F and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the plugs over. If your model of iPad 3 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these power adapters, and support for more power hungry devices. Unlike other adapters having a 4 port adapter means you can charge more than one device at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters. Because you are only packing a single travel charger will keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad 3 at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of chargers can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers and using only a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for an adaptable travel adapter like this online, the power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

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 those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable power supplies. These travel adapters come supplied 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 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 Portugal.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This offers practically the same functionality as the BESTEK with only 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 Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad 3 in Portugal?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Portuguese power outlet

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

  1. If you want to charge the iPad 3 using a Portuguese power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - Apple typically supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPad 3.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Portuguese power outlet. The wall supply (called the Europlug) can be identified by the two holes next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple 30 pin USB 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 can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad 3 will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Portuguese power outlet

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

Using a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a Type F USB adapter to charge your iPad 3 from a Portuguese power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 3 from the Portuguese power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is typically included with the iPad 3 by Apple.
  2. Begin by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. This recessed circular power supply can be identified by the two large round holes 19 mm apart from each other, plus a pair of metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter 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. Turn on the Portuguese 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 should take around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a Portuguese power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Portugal 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  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..