How to charge the iPad Air 2 when staying in Guatemala

A page on how to recharge an iPad Air 2 with a Guatemalan power outlet by using the Lightning Apple connector and a Type A USB adapter and how to recharge an iPad Air 2 using a Type B power charger.

Guatemalan power outlet

Different frequencies and region codes can all cause confusion when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never visited before. This guide was specifically written to prevent people worrying if they can power their iPad Air 2 abroad.When staying in Guatemala this page has useful instructions showing you how to supply power to your iPad Air 2 using their B or A type 120 volt 60Hz plug outlets. Most power supplies will change from country to country so please read the Wiki Connections global power connections page for a full list showing charging devices in different destinations. If your iPad Air 2 charges slowly or does not power up when travelling to Guatemala from another region please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Electrical devices which come from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check that the iPad Air 2 is a dual voltage device (normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you plan to visit a Guatemalan destination like Guatemala City we also suggest referring to the Guatemala country page on wikipedia.org [1] for more indepth details prior to travelling to the area. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in Guatemala

Can the iPad Air 2 be used in Guatemala?

You can connect an iPad Air 2 to a Guatemalan power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel charger for an iPad Air 2 in Guatemala?

If travelling with more than your iPad Air 2 and visiting more than one country then the best travel charger for Guatemala is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Guatemalans use two different standards of wall outlets (B and A) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type A. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the included heads over. If your model of iPad Air 2 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices. Unlike other chargers this means you can charge multiple devices at once without needing to pack seperate power chargers on your trip to Guatemala. Only bringing a single travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage as well as being on hand for charging your iPad Air 2 at an airport or on a plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single plug socket.

For those travelling often we recommend searching for a flexible power charger similar to this at an electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Guatemala

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad Air 2, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips 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 power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Guatemala 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 Guatemala.
  • 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 from America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to 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 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Guatemala. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for an iPad Air 2 in Guatemala?

Charging an iPad Air 2 from a Guatemalan power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Using the Lightning Apple connector with a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter to recharge your iPad Air 2 from a Guatemalan power outlet.

  1. If you want to power an iPad Air 2 using a Guatemalan power outlet you will need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], Apple will typically supply this cable when you first purchase the iPad Air 2.
  2. Start by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Guatemalan power outlet. The plug outlet (called a Type A power outlet [3]) can be identified by the 2 adjacent slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the power cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Turn on the Guatemalan 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 Air 2 is recharging and takes between 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging an iPad Air 2 from a Guatemalan power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Guatemalan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using an Apple Lightning cable with a Type B power charger to power your iPad Air 2 from a Guatemalan power outlet.

  1. In order to power your iPad Air 2 using a Guatemalan power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with the iPad Air 2 by Apple).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. The plug outlet (sometimes called a Type B power outlet [6]) can be identified by two thin slots next to each other with a single hole below for the ground pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB Apple cord into the power adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Turn on the Guatemalan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad Air 2 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which takes around one to four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering an iPad Air 2 with a Guatemalan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Guatemala country page on wikipedia.org
  2. Apple - official iPad user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  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..