How to charge your iPad Air from a power outlet in Brazil

Instructions on how to power your iPad Air from a Brazilian power outlet using a Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C Europlug USB charger and charging the iPad Air using a Type N power plug.

Brazilian power outlet

Brazil uses 2 different types of voltage depending on the location - both 127 volts and 240 volts. Always ensure that you familiarise yourself with the voltage of the outlet prior to using any electrical appliance in a Brazilian power outlet. Instructions on this page assume that you understand which voltage you will be using, however the safest option is always to use a dual voltage device or appliance.

If organizing a holiday to Brazil it can often be useful to know in advance if you can power your common devices such as mobile phones or laptop computers that you are bringing along. However without knowing which power supply to expect you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, meaning needing to purchase a potentially overpriced adaptor when you arrive. Varying different combinations of frequencies and region codes can all cause confusion when planning on travelling to a different country to the first time traveller. This page has step-by-step instructions telling you exactly how to charge your iPad Air when you're travelling to Brazil by using their N or C type 60Hz plug outlets, please note that Type N plug outlets are used by most Brazilians. If the iPad Air does not power up or charges slowly when travelling to Brazil from another country then check that it is compatible with a Brazilian power supply. Typically electrical devices which originate from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check that the iPad Air is dual voltage (you'll find these are usually indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you're planning on staying in a place such as Rio de Janeiro or Natal we also recommend reading the Brazil Wikipedia page [1] for more indepth details prior to travelling to the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Air.

Charging the iPad Air in Brazil

Can you use the iPad Air in Brazil?

Yes, you can use the iPad Air in Brazil by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Air in Brazil?

If travelling to multiple countries the best travel power adapter for Brazil to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of wall outlets in Brazil (N and C) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the plugs. If your model of iPad Air can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers plus 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 power outlets. By only bringing a single travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

We suggest buying a versatile travel charger similar to this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Brazil

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America going to Brazil.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs and gives the same functionality as the BESTEK with just 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 flexible 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 wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Brazil. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Air in Brazil?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Brazilian power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Type C Europlug USB charger to power your iPad Air from a Brazilian power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Air from the Brazilian power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], normally supplied with the iPad Air by Apple.
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes called a Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug, is recognised by two circular adjacent holes next to each other. Prior to 2010 older buildings may use this power supply.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the Brazilian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Brazilian power outlet

How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Brazilian power outlet

A page on how to power your iPad Air with a Brazilian power outlet by using the Lightning Apple cable with a 3 pinned Type N power charger.

  1. If you want to power the iPad Air from the Brazilian power outlet you'll need to buy a Type N USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include this cable when you first purchase your iPad Air.
  2. Plug the Type N USB power plug adapter in the Brazilian power outlet. The flattened hexagon shaped power supply, sometimes called a Type N power outlet [6], looks like 3 holes in a triangular pattern. Since 2010 new buildings will use this power supply.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple Lightning power cord into the USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Air. The iPad Air lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air.
  4. Switch on the Brazilian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your iPad Air from a Brazilian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Brazil Wikipedia 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 N power outlet
  7. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  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..