How to charge the iPad 3 when visiting Germany

A guide showing how to recharge the iPad 3 with a German power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type C USB charger and charging the iPad 3 using a two pin Type F USB charger.

German power outlet

Differing combinations of frequencies and standards can all be confusing when planning to visit another country to the first time traveller. This guide was written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPad 3 when you are going to Germany.This page contains simple instructions showing what you'll need to charge the iPad 3 when you are in Germany by using their types F or C German 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, a majority of Germans typically use the Type F sockets in their wall outlets. If travelling to Germany from a different region make sure the iPad 3 can accept a 240v supply. If the iPad 3 was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) make sure the device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from over-heating during charging. If you plan to stay somewhere like Berlin or Hamburg please read the wikipedia web page about Germany [1] for more indepth details. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in Germany

Can the iPad 3 be used in Germany?

Yes, you can use the iPad 3 in Germany.

What is the best travel charger for the iPad 3 in Germany?

When you are travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for Germany to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Germans use two different standards of wall outlets (types F and C) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world simply by changing the supplied plugs. If your model of iPad 3 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much faster charging times with one of these USB travel chargers along with additional support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. Having a 4 port adapter will also allow you to power multiple devices at the same time without needing to buy seperate power adapters on your German trip or occupying additional wall sockets. Only needing a single international travel charger will help keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers and using only a single wall outlet.

If you travel to Germany we recommend buying a multipurpose power adapter of this nature online. The travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Germany

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to recharge devices using USB, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unstable power grids. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Germany 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 Germany.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Germany. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for the iPad 3 in Germany?

How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a German power outlet

Using the Apple 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type C power charger to recharge the iPad 3 from a German power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 3 using a German 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 typically supply this USB cable when you purchase your iPad 3).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the power supply. The plug supply is recognised by two round adjacent holes next to each other where the plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter 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. Turn on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly one to four hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Europlug Type C power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a German power outlet

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

Instructions showing how to power the iPad 3 with a German power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type F USB charger.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad 3 using a German power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (the USB cable is typically included with the iPad 3).
  2. Begin by plugging the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by two 4.8mm circular adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral pins and a pair of two grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the German power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 3 is charging, typically taking roughly one-four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a German power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia web page about Germany
  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. 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..