How to charge the iPad from a power outlet in Italy

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad with an Italian power outlet with an Apple 30 pin cable with a Type F power charger, powering the iPad using a 2 pinned Type C USB charger and recharging the iPad using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

Italian power outlet

If you are packing for a vacation it can often be helpful to know if you'll be able to use all your essential electrical devices like mobiles or laptop computers that you are bringing along. However without knowing which power socket is used in Italy you could end up either bringing too many spare adaptors or bring the wrong charger, meaning having to buy or borrow a suitable charger when you're there. Varying different combinations of region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning on staying in another country, especially if you've never visited before. This page contains a step-by-step guide which shows exactly how to power the iPad when staying in Italy using their L, C or F type 230 volt 50Hz plug outlets, you'll discover most Italians will normally use Type L sockets in their power outlets. If travelling to Italy from another country please make sure your iPad can be used with a 240v supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110v make sure the iPad is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power transformer to stop the device from overheating when charging it. If you plan on staying somewhere like Rome we also suggest referring to the Italian country entry on Wikipedia.org [1] for more indepth details prior to travelling to the area. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in Italy

Can the iPad be used in Italy?

You can connect the iPad to an Italian power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad in Italy?

When travelling with more than your iPad then the best international travel charger for Italy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Italians use three different standards of wall outlets (L, C and F) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPad is compatible with Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of power chargers plus support for more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters having a four port charger will also allow you to recharge more than one device at the same time without needing to buy individual power chargers for your Italian trip or occupying additional power outlets. By only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPad at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without needing an additional wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend buying this type of flexible power charger online, the power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for charging multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge 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 adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for travellers to regions with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Italy 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 most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to Italy.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with 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 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 ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad in Italy?

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

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad with an Italian power outlet by using an Apple 30 pin cable with a Type C power charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad using an Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is usually already supplied with your device).
  2. Plug the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the 2 adjacent holes next to each other.
  3. Plug in 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. The iPad dock connector is found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging and takes between one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad from an Italian power outlet by using a two pinned Europlug Type C USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad from an Italian power outlet

Instructions showing you how to recharge the iPad from an Italian power outlet with an Apple 30-pin cable and a Type F power charger.

  1. To supply power to your iPad from the Italian power outlet you'll need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will usually supply this cable with your iPad).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the Italian power outlet. The recessed circular plug outlet can be identified by two large round holes 19 mm next to each other along with grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad from an Italian power outlet

How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad from an Italian power outlet

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad with an Italian power outlet by using the Apple 30 pin cable with a 3 pinned Type L power charger.

  1. To supply power to your iPad from the Italian power outlet you'll need to use a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will usually supply this cable with your iPad).
  2. Start by inserting the Type L USB power plug adapter in the Italian power outlet. You can recognise the squashed hexagon shaped wall supply by three large round adjecent holes forming a line. There are two variations of Type L wall supply, one rated at 10 amps and one at 16 amps. The 10 amp power supply has 4mm pins spaced 5.5mm apart, whilst the 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm thick pins spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cord into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging which typically takes between one-four hours to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad from an Italian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Italian country entry on Wikipedia.org
  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 L power outlet
  9. 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.
  10. 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..