Charging the iPad 4 when planning a trip to Tobago

A guide showing how to power the iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type A USB charger and recharging the iPad 4 using a 3 pin Type B power adapter.

Tobagonian power outlet

If planning a vacation it can often be helpful to know in advance if you'll be able to charge all your devices when you're there. But by not knowing which plug socket is used you could pack the wrong power adaptor, therefore leaving you needing to buy or borrow a suitable power adaptor when you're there that might be incompatible and cause damage to your iPad 4. Various combinations of region codes and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never been there before. This page was specifically written to prepare travellers wanting to power the iPad 4 abroad.These step by step instructions shows what you'll need to charge your iPad 4 when travelling to Tobago using the Type B or A 115 volt 60Hz plug outlets, a majority of Tobagonians will use the Type B plug outlets. If your iPad 4 slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when travelling to Tobago from a different region please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which originate from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check the device is dual voltage (you'll find these are normally marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional 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 Tobago

Can you use the iPad 4 in Tobago?

Yes, you can connect the iPad 4 to a Tobagonian power outlet.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad 4 in Tobago?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPad 4 then the best travel charger for Tobago to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different types of power outlets that Tobagonians use (B and A) and using a power adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type A. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your iPad 4 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of USB power adapters along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other chargers this will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy multiple power adapters for your Tobagonian trip. Only bringing a single international travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage and on hand for recharging your iPad 4 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 overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets without needing an additional wall outlet.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online; the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Tobago

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of regions with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Tobago 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 compact option for travellers originating from America going to Tobago.
  • 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Tobago. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPad 4 in Tobago?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet

A guide showing how to power the iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet with the Apple USB Lightning connector with a Type A USB charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is typically already supplied with your iPad 4).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Tobagonian power outlet. The power supply, technically called the Type A power outlet [3], can be recognised by 2 thin slots next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Switch on the Tobagonian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet

Charging the iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad 4 with a Tobagonian power outlet using a Lightning connector and a 3 pin Type B power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - this USB cable is normally already included with your iPad 4.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Tobagonian power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two slots next to each other for live and neutral blades with a single semicircle hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB power 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. Turn on the Tobagonian 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 4 is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 4 from a Tobagonian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Tobago wikipedia 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. 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..