How to charge the iPad Mini when planning a trip to Libya

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPad Mini from a Libyan power outlet by using a Lightning Apple connector with a Type D USB adapter, charging the iPad Mini using a Type C Europlug USB plug and how to power the iPad Mini using a double pinned Schuko Type F power charger

Libyan power outlet

Various combinations of standards and voltages can often cause confusion when planning to visit another country, especially if you've never visited before. These instructions were specifically written to stop you worrying if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini abroad.When you're visiting Libya this page has useful instructions showing how to supply power to your iPad Mini by using the D, C, F or L type Libyan 127 volt 50Hz wall outlets. If your iPad Mini charges slowly or does not power up when you are visiting Libya from a different country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originate from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, check the iPad Mini is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use. However please be aware that Barca, Benghazi, Derna, Sabha and Tobruk use a 230 volt power outlet and not 110 volts. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini.

Charging the iPad Mini in Libya

Can the iPad Mini be used in Libya?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini in Libya by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini in Libya?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Mini then the best travel charger for Libya to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Libyans use four different standards of wall outlets (D, C, F and L) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by changing the plugs over. If your iPad Mini is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of USB power chargers along with additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. This will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers or using up additional power outlets. Because you are only needing to bring a single travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling regularly we recommend buying an adaptable power adapter of this nature at an electronics retailer, the power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous different countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Libya

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 Mini, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unreliable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Libya and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 option for travellers originating from America visiting Libya.
  • 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 from America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with 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 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 Libya. [12] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini in Libya?

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

Using a USB Lightning cable and a double pin Europlug Type C power charger to charge the iPad Mini from a Libyan power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini from the Libyan power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple normally supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad Mini.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two circular holes next to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Libyan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad Mini will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable with a three pin Type D USB charger to power the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Mini from a Libyan power outlet you will need to buy a Type D USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type D USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Libyan power outlet. The power supply, sometimes known as the Type D power outlet [6], looks like 3 holes forming a triangular shape for live, neutral and ground.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Libyan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up and takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Libyan power outlet

A guide on how to recharge the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet with a Lightning cable and a two pinned Type F power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPad Mini using a Libyan power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPad Mini).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Libyan power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the two circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins go, plus metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB charging cable into the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini.
  4. Switch on the Libyan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini is recharging, typically taking around 1 - 4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad Mini from a Libyan power outlet

Powering the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable and a three pin Type L USB charger to power the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Mini from the Libyan power outlet you will need to buy a Type L USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally already supplied with your device).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type L USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Libyan power outlet. The squashed hexagon shaped power outlet (sometimes known as a Type L power outlet [10]) can be identified by the three adjecent holes forming a line for live, neutral and ground. Note that there are two different variations of Type L power outlet, one rated at 10 amps and one for 16 amps. A 10 amp version has 4mm thick pins which are spaced 5.5mm apart, and a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm thick pins which are spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini.
  4. Turn on the Libyan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini with a Libyan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Libyan Wikipedia web 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 D power outlet
  7. Type D USB power plug adapter - Designed for usage in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal, the Type D USB power plug adapter offers a practical solution for converting local 3-prong grounded outlets into USB ports, providing reliable charging for a range of USB devices..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  10. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  11. Type L USB power plug adapter - Earthed Type L USB chargers comprise of three 4mm pins placed in parallel 5.5mm apart used in Italy.
  12. 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..