How to charge the iPad 2 when planning a trip to Madagascar

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a three pinned Type D power charger, powering the iPad 2 using a two pin Type C USB charger and charging the iPad 2 using a two pin Type E USB charger

Malagasy power outlet

If packing for a vacation to Madagascar it's useful to know in advance if you can use your electronics that you'll be bringing along. However, by not knowing which power socket is being used you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, meaning having to buy or borrow a potentially overpriced adaptor when you're there. Complicated voltages and plugs can often be daunting when planning on staying in a foreign country especially if you've never been there before. These guidelines have been written to help prepare visitors wanting to charge the iPad 2 when they are travelling to Madagascar.If travelling to Madagascar the following instructions show how to power the iPad 2 using the standard Type D, C, E, J or K 127 volt 50Hz plug outlets, a majority of Malagasy will typically use Type D sockets in their wall outlets. If the iPad 2 charges slowly or does not power up when travelling to Madagascar from a different country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which originated from a different country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) can take longer to charge or won't power up, so check your iPad 2 is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are usually indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter 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 Madagascar

Can the iPad 2 be used in Madagascar?

Yes, you can use the iPad 2 in Madagascar by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 2 in Madagascar?

If travelling with more than your iPad 2 then the best international travel charger for Madagascar to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Malagasy use five different standards of wall outlets (D, C, E, J and K) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by changing the plugs over. If your iPad 2 is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these types of USB travel chargers along with additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. This will allow you to recharge more than one device at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers or using up additional wall outlets. Because you are only needing to bring a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers without using up an additional power outlet.

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

Alternative travel adapter for Madagascar

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 2, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters 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 Madagascar 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 Madagascar.
  • 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 the 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 Madagascar. [14] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 2 in Madagascar?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet

Using a USB 30 pin connector and a Type C power adapter to charge your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad 2 using a Malagasy power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple normally supply this USB cable when you purchase the iPad 2).
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Malagasy power outlet. This plug outlet, also called the Europlug, can be identified by the 2 adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the mains USB 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 Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet

Powering the iPad 2 with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a three pinned Type D power charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad 2 from the Malagasy power outlet you will need a Type D USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple normally supply this cable when you buy the iPad 2.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type D USB power plug adapter into the power outlet. The plug supply, sometimes called the Type D power outlet [6], looks like three holes in a triangular pattern.
  3. Then connect one end of the 30 pin cord into the bottom of the mains power 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. Turn on the Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up which takes between one to four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type D USB adapter

How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet

Using a USB 30-pin connector and a Type E power charger to charge the iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 2 using a Malagasy power outlet you will need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPad 2).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type E USB power plug adapter into the Malagasy power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by the two round holes 19mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral along with one metal grounding pin protruding in the top to form a triangular configuration.
  3. Connect one end of the cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 2.
  4. Switch on the Malagasy 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 2 is charging, typically taking around 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet

Powering the iPad 2 with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

Using the Apple 30-pin cable with a three pin Type J USB charger to power the iPad 2 with a Malagasy power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to your iPad 2 from the Malagasy power outlet you will need a Type J USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple normally supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad 2.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type J USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The flattened hexagon shaped wall outlet (sometimes known as the Type J power outlet [10]) can be identified by the three holes forming a flattened triangular configuration for live, neutral and ground pins.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB mains 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. Switch on the Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad 2 will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging and takes roughly one to four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a Malagasy power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

How to use a Type K power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet

A guide showing you how to recharge your iPad 2 with a Malagasy power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin connector and a two pinned Type K power charger.

  1. To charge the iPad 2 using a Malagasy power outlet you'll need to use a Type K USB power plug adapter [13] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will normally include this cable when you buy the iPad 2).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type K USB power plug adapter into the Malagasy power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by the 3 large holes forming an upside-down triangle shape and the bottom hole appearing semicircular in shape.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple 30 pin cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter 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. Turn on the Malagasy power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up which should take between 60 to 240 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type K power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Malagasy power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia web page about Madagascar
  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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  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 E power outlet
  9. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  10. iec.ch - Type J power outlet
  11. Type J USB power plug adapter - Type J USB chargers have three rounded pins placed in a flattened triangular pattern with the top pin acting as an earth.
  12. iec.ch - Type K power outlet
  13. Type K USB power plug adapter - There are three pins on a Type K USB charger comprising of two large rounded pins and a bottom semi-circular grounding pin.
  14. 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..