Charging the iPad 3 when planning a trip to South Africa

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet with the Apple USB 30-pin connector with a Type C USB charger, charging the iPad 3 using a Type F USB plug and recharging the iPad 3 using a 3 pin Type M power adapter

South African power outlet

Complicated combinations of region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country, especially if you've never been there before. This guide has been written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPad 3 when you're visiting abroad.When you are planning a holiday to South Africa these useful instructions show powering the iPad 3 by using the Type M, C, F or N 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you will discover a majority of South Africans typically use Type M plugs in their wall outlets. When visiting South Africa from a different region please make sure that your iPad 3 can accept a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure your iPad 3 is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to stop the device from being damaged when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in South Africa

Can you use the iPad 3 in South Africa?

You can use the iPad 3 in South Africa by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in South Africa?

When you are travelling with more than your iPad 3 or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for South Africa is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different types of power outlets that South Africans use (M, C, F and N) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your iPad 3 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, and additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets.

This means you can recharge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack multiple power adapters for your South African trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the overall size down, making it ideal to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being convenient for charging your iPad 3 at the airport or on your flight. 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 under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling often we suggest searching for this type of flexible travel charger online; the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for South Africa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices using USB, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which can be useful when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting South Africa.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and 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 suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting South Africa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad 3 in South Africa?

Charging the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power adapter.

  1. If you want to power your iPad 3 from a South African power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], usually supplied with your iPad 3.
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. This ungrounded plug supply (sometimes called a Type C power outlet [3]) is identified by the 2 circular adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  3. Then connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad 3 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a South African power outlet

Instructions on how to recharge the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type F power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad 3 using the South African power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - this USB cable is typically already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the South African power outlet. This recessed round plug supply, sometimes called the Schuko outlet, can be identified by the two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm next to each other where the twin pins slide into and a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a South African power outlet

Powering the iPad 3 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type M USB charger.

  1. To charge the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet you'll need a Type M USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will typically include this USB cable with the iPad 3).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type M USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. The wall outlet (technically called the Type M power outlet [8]) can be recognised by 3 large holes forming a triangle shape.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad 3 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with a South African power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type M USB adapter

How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a South African power outlet

Instructions showing you how to power the iPad 3 from a South African power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type N power adapter.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPad 3 using the South African power outlet you will need to use a Type N USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], the cable is typically already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type N USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the South African power outlet. You can recognise this flattened hexagon shaped plug supply by the three round holes in a flattened triangle shape.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the South African power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad 3 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type N power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a South African power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - South Africa 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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  9. Type M USB power plug adapter - South African Type M USB chargers have three large circular pins in a triangular shape with the top earthed pin longer and larger in diameter.
  10. iec.ch - Type N power outlet
  11. Type N USB power plug adapter - The three 4mm rounded pins on a grounded Brazilian Type N USB charger form a flattened triangular pattern.
  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..