How to charge your iPad 4 from a power outlet in Portugal

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad 4 with a Portuguese power outlet by using an Apple Lightning cable with a Type C power adapter and charging the iPad 4 using a Type F power charger.

Portuguese power outlet

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. These guidelines were written to stop visitors worrying if they can power their iPad 4 when they're visiting Portugal.The following useful guide shows how to power the iPad 4 when travelling to Portugal by using the standard Type F or C 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, please be aware that Type F wall outlets will be normally used by most Portuguese. If travelling to Portugal from another country double check your iPad 4 can be used with a 240v supply. If the iPad 4 originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts check that your device is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from over-heating when powering up. If you plan on staying in a Portuguese place such as Lisbon or Porto read the Portugal country Wikipedia page [1] for further details prior to the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 4.

Charging the iPad 4 in Portugal

Can you use the iPad 4 in Portugal?

Yes, you can use the iPad 4 in Portugal by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPad 4 in Portugal?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPad 4 then the best international travel charger for Portugal is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of wall outlets that Portuguese use (types F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the included plugs. If your iPad 4 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB travel chargers plus support for more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other chargers having a four port charger means you can power multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring multiple travel adapters or occupying additional power outlets. Only bringing a single USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage while travelling. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones and using only a single plug socket.

For those travelling on a regular basis we recommend searching for this type of flexible power charger at your preferred electronics retailer. The travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Portugal

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unreliable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These travel converters come 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 Portugal.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and gives the same functionality as the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 suitable for most travellers from around the world visiting Portugal. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPad 4 in Portugal?

Charging the iPad 4 from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad 4 with a Portuguese power outlet by using an Apple Lightning cable with a Type C power adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPad 4 using the Portuguese power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPad 4.
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Portuguese power outlet. You can recognise the plug supply by 2 round holes adjacent to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Apple cord into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad 4 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 4 from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

Charging the iPad 4 from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad 4 with a Portuguese power outlet with an Apple Lightning cable with a Type F power adapter.

  1. In order to charge the iPad 4 using a Portuguese power outlet you will need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will usually supply this cable with your iPad 4).
  2. Firstly you'll need to plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise this wall supply by two large circular adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into and two thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the Lightning charging cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Portuguese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad 4 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging, typically taking around 60-240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad 4 from a Portuguese power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Portugal country 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 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..