Charging the iPad Mini when planning a trip to Russia

A page showing how to charge your iPad Mini with a Russian power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C USB charger and powering the iPad Mini using a two pin Type F USB plug.

Russian power outlet

Complicated combinations of voltages and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of standards used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to pick up in advance to power your iPad Mini . These instructions have been specifically written to stop travellers worrying if they'll be able to charge the iPad Mini abroad.The following instructions tells you how to charge the iPad Mini when you're visiting Russia by using their standard Type F or C Russian 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of Russians will use the Type F power outlets. If you are visiting Russia from another country ensure that your iPad Mini can be charged using a 240v supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v make sure that the device is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to prevent the device from overheating during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Russia

Can you use the iPad Mini in Russia?

You can use the iPad Mini in Russia by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini in Russia?

When travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPad Mini then the best travel charger for Russia to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of power outlets that Russians use (F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your iPad Mini can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers. Only packing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand baggage and on hand for recharging your iPad Mini at an airport or on the plane. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and e-readers with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Russia we suggest searching for this type of flexible travel charger online. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Russia

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 Mini, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Russia.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Russia. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini in Russia?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Russian power outlet

Using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C USB charger to charge your iPad Mini with a Russian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad Mini using the Russian power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPad Mini).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded plug supply (sometimes known as a Type C power outlet [3]) is identified by the 2 circular holes next to each other where the two plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB charging cord into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Russian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad Mini screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging which takes roughly one to four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Russian power outlet

Charging the iPad Mini from a Russian power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPad Mini with a Russian power outlet using the USB Lightning Apple cable and a 2 pin Type F USB charger.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini from a Russian power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually supplied with your iPad Mini.
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Russian power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two large adjacent holes for live and neutral pins, plus two metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Russian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from a Russian power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Russia
  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..