How to charge the iPad 4 when planning a trip to Cuba

Instructions on how to charge the iPad 4 from a Cuban power outlet using a Lightning connector and a three pinned Type B power charger, how to charge the iPad 4 using a double pinned Type A power plug and how to recharge the iPad 4 using a two pinned Type C power charger

Cuban power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and plugs can all be daunting when planning to travel to another country, especially if you've never visited before. When you're visiting Cuba this page has useful instructions showing you how to power your iPad 4 using the standard Type C, A or B 110 volt 60Hz plug outlets, Type C plug outlets will be normally used by most Cubans. If your iPad 4 charges slowly or does not power up when you are travelling to Cuba from a different country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) either take longer to charge or won't power up, so check your iPad 4 is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are normally indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 4.

Charging the iPad 4 in Cuba

Can the iPad 4 be used in Cuba?

You can use the iPad 4 in Cuba by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 4 in Cuba?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPad 4 then the best travel adapter for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different standards of power outlets (C, A and B) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your type of iPad 4 can support Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these power adapters, and compatibility with more power hungry devices. Having a 4 port adapter will allow you to charge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers or using up additional wall outlets. Because you are only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage as well as being convenient for recharging your iPad 4 at the airport or on a plane. Due to their flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets without needing an additional plug socket.

We suggest buying an adaptable power adapter like this online, the power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

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 4, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unstable power grids. These travel converters 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 converter for travellers originating from America going to Cuba using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly 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 and is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 4 in Cuba?

Charging the iPad 4 from a Cuban power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

A guide on how to recharge the iPad 4 with a Cuban power outlet with a Lightning cable and a double pinned Type A USB charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad 4 using the Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad 4).
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The power supply, sometimes known as the Type A power outlet [3], is identified by two thin adjacent slots next to each other where the pins go.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple power cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad 4 will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 4 from a Cuban power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPad 4 from a Cuban power outlet

Instructions on how to charge the iPad 4 from a Cuban power outlet using a Lightning connector and a three pinned Type B power charger.

  1. In order to charge the iPad 4 using the Cuban power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple typically supply this USB cable when you purchase your iPad 4.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power supply. You can identify this plug outlet by 2 thin slots with a single hole below for the longer ground pin.
  3. Connect one end of the charging cable into the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad 4 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging taking around one-four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPad 4 from a Cuban power outlet

Powering the iPad 4 with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing how to power your iPad 4 with a Cuban power outlet with a Lightning Apple cable with a Type C Europlug USB charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad 4 using the Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple typically supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad 4).
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 2 round adjacent holes next to each other where the plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple power cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad 4 will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 4 with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuba Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..