How to charge your iPad 2 from a power outlet in Mexico

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad 2 from a Mexican power outlet with a 30 pin Apple connector and a 3 pinned Type A USB adapter and charging the iPad 2 using a Type B power plug.

Mexican power outlet

Various voltages and standards can often be confusing when planning to visit another country, especially if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of sockets being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what you'll need in advance to power your iPad 2 in Mexico. These instructions were written to stop travellers worrying if they can power their iPad 2 when they are visiting Mexico.If you are visiting Mexico this page contains instructions showing how to power the iPad 2 using their Type B or A Mexican 127 volt 60Hz wall outlets, please note that Type B plug outlets are used by most Mexicans. Type A electrical sockets aren't as commonplace but still used by some hotels in Mexico. If the iPad 2 doesn't power up or recharges slowly when visiting Mexico from another country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originate from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, check that the iPad 2 is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are normally indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 2.

Charging the iPad 2 in Mexico

Can you use the iPad 2 in Mexico?

Yes, you can use the iPad 2 in Mexico by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best power charger for the iPad 2 in Mexico?

If travelling to multiple countries then the best international travel power adapter for Mexico to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Mexicans use two different standards of wall outlets (B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the plugs over. If your model of iPad 2 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers plus additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets. Unlike other chargers this means you can power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to buy multiple travel adapters or using up additional wall outlets. By only packing a single travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets and phones with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we suggest buying this type of flexible power charger at an electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Mexico

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from America going to Mexico using 3 pinned type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Mexico. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPad 2 in Mexico?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 2 from a Mexican power outlet

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad 2 from a Mexican power outlet with a 30 pin Apple connector and a 3 pinned Type A USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPad 2 using the Mexican power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally included with your iPad 2 by Apple).
  2. Start by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into. Type A power outlets in Mexico aren't as commonplace but might still found in some hotels.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad 2 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 2 from a Mexican power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Mexican power outlet

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad 2 with a Mexican power outlet with an Apple 30-pin connector and a Type B USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to your iPad 2 from the Mexican power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (normally included with the iPad 2 by Apple).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 slots next to each other where the short live and neutral plug outlet blades go with a single hole below for the earthed pin. The most common sockets found in Mexico are Type B power outlets.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector is found at the base of the iPad 2.
  4. Switch on the Mexican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is recharging which typically takes around one to four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Mexican power outlet

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