Charging your iPad Air 2 from a power outlet in Mexico

A page showing how to charge your iPad Air 2 from a Mexican power outlet with the Apple Lightning connector with a two pin Type A power adapter and charging an iPad Air 2 using a three pinned Type B power adapter.

Mexican power outlet

Different combinations of region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning to stay in a new country, especially to the first time traveller. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets used throughout the world this guide tells you exactly what you'll need to buy in advance to charge the iPad Air 2 . This page was written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Air 2 when staying abroad.This page contains instructions telling you how to charge your iPad Air 2 when travelling to Mexico using the types B or A 127 volt 60Hz plug outlets, most Mexicans typically use Type B plugs in their plug outlets. Type A electrical sockets aren't as commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico. If the iPad Air 2 charges slowly or does not power up when you are visiting Mexico from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which originate from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, so check the device is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are usually marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in Mexico

Can the iPad Air 2 be used in Mexico?

Yes, you can connect an iPad Air 2 to a Mexican power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Mexico?

If you are travelling with more than your iPad Air 2 the best international travel charger for Mexico to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Mexicans use two different types of power outlets (types B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A.

Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the heads. If your model of iPad Air 2 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters and additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets.

Unlike other adapters this means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy individual travel chargers on your trip or using up additional power sockets. Only bringing a single international travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage while travelling. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets without needing an additional plug socket.

If you travel often we suggest searching for an adaptable travel charger of this nature online; the power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for charging multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Mexico

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 Air 2, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable power supplies. These power adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Mexico and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Mexico using 3 pinned type B 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 the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 Mexico. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Mexico?

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Mexican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Using a Lightning cable and a 2 pin Type A USB charger to charge your iPad Air 2 with a Mexican power outlet.

  1. To charge an iPad Air 2 from the Mexican power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], usually included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the two adjacent slots where the plug outlet blades slide into. Type A power sockets in Mexico are less commonplace but might still used in some hotels.
  3. Connect one end of the USB power cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking roughly 1 - 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Mexican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Mexican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using the Apple USB Lightning connector with a three pinned Type B power adapter to power an iPad Air 2 with a Mexican power outlet.

  1. To charge your iPad Air 2 using the Mexican power outlet you will need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], typically already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This plug supply (sometimes called the Type B power outlet [6]) is identified by 2 thin slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a semicircle hole below for the long grounded pin. The most frequently used outlets in Mexico are Type B power sockets.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the mains power charger 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. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Air 2 is charging which should take between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Mexican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Visitmexico - Visit Mexico Web Site
  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. 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..