How to charge the iPad Mini in Italy

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini with an Italian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type L USB adapter, charging the iPad Mini using a two pin Type C Europlug power plug and charging the iPad Mini using a Type F Schuko power plug

Italian power outlet

When planning a vacation it is helpful to know in advance if you can use all your electronics when you get there. By not knowing which plug socket is being used in Italy you are more likely to bring the wrong charger, therefore needing to purchase a suitable power adaptor when you need it. Various standards and plugs can all be confusing when planning to visit another country if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of standards being used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge the iPad Mini . These instructions have been written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge the iPad Mini abroad.These instructions tells you exactly what you'll need to supply power to the iPad Mini when going to Italy using the standard L, C or F type 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, you'll find a majority of Italians will use the Type L plugs in their power outlets. If travelling to Italy from a different country ensure that the iPad Mini can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) ensure that your device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Italy

Can the iPad Mini be used in Italy?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini in Italy.

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

When you are travelling with more than your iPad Mini then the best travel power adapter for Italy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Italians use three different standards of power outlets (L, C and F) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the included plugs over. If your iPad Mini is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these travel adapters and additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other adapters having a 4 port charger means you can power more than one device at the same time without needing to pack individual travel adapters. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend searching for a flexible power charger of this nature online. The travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

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, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Italy and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Italy 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 Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad Mini in Italy?

Charging the iPad Mini from an Italian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Using a Lightning connector and a Europlug Type C USB charger to power the iPad Mini with an Italian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad Mini from the Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple should usually include the cable when you buy the iPad Mini.
  2. Plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes around 1 to 4 hours to completely recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from an Italian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

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

Using a Lightning connector and a Schuko Type F USB charger to power the iPad Mini with an Italian power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Mini using an Italian power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should usually include the cable with the iPad Mini).
  2. Begin by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter in the Italian power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two large circular adjacent holes next to each other, plus a pair of metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini from an Italian power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini with an Italian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

A guide showing how to power the iPad Mini with an Italian power outlet with a USB Lightning Apple connector with a Type L USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPad Mini from an Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple should typically include this cable when you buy the iPad Mini.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type L USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the power outlet. The squashed hexagon shaped power outlet, sometimes called the Type L power outlet [8], can be recognised by three circular adjecent holes in a line for live, neutral and ground pins. You'll find there are two types of Type L power supply, one rated for 10 amps and one at 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm thick pins which are spaced 5.5mm apart and the 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm round pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB 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. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up and takes roughly one to four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with an Italian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italy 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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  10. 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..