Charging your iPad Mini 2 from a power outlet in Panama

Using the Apple Lightning cable and a Type A USB charger to power the iPad Mini 2 from a Panamanian power outlet and recharging the iPad Mini 2 using a 3 pin Type B USB plug.

Panamanian power outlet

Varying different voltages and plugs can often lead to confusion when planning to travel to another country if you've never been there before. When you're staying in Panama the following useful instructions show how to supply power to the iPad Mini 2 by using the types B or A 120 volt 60Hz power outlets. If your iPad Mini 2 slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are travelling to Panama from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts either take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check your iPad Mini 2 is dual-voltage (you'll find these are normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad Mini 2.

Charging the iPad Mini 2 in Panama

Can you use the iPad Mini 2 in Panama?

You can use the iPad Mini 2 in Panama.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in Panama?

If you are travelling to more than one country or bringing more than just your iPad Mini 2 then the best international travel adapter for Panama is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Panamanians use two different types of power outlets (B and A) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type A. As these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your iPad Mini 2 can support Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times with one of these USB power adapters, plus additional compatibility with certain power hungry devices. Unlike other travel chargers having a four port adapter means you can recharge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring seperate travel adapters or occupying additional wall sockets. Because you are only bringing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and e-readers without needing an additional plug socket.

If you travel to Panama we recommend buying a versatile power adapter of this nature online; the power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Panama

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 Mini 2, but for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be crucial for visitors of counties with unstable power supplies to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from America going to Panama.
  • 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 originating from the US using type B plugs. This gives practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Panama. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 2 in Panama?

Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a Panamanian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Using the Apple Lightning cable and a Type A USB charger to power the iPad Mini 2 from a Panamanian power outlet.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad Mini 2 using a Panamanian power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should normally include this USB cable with the iPad Mini 2).
  2. Start by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Panamanian power outlet. This unearthed plug supply, sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [3], is identified by the 2 thin slots adjacent to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Switch on the Panamanian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad Mini 2 will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 2 is charging which takes between 1 to 4 hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a Panamanian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a Panamanian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

A page showing how to recharge the iPad Mini 2 from a Panamanian power outlet by using the USB Lightning Apple connector with a three pinned Type B power adapter.

  1. To power the iPad Mini 2 using the Panamanian power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should normally supply this USB cable with the iPad Mini 2).
  2. Begin by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Panamanian power outlet. This power outlet (known as the Type B power outlet [6]) is identified by two slots for live and neutral blades with a hole below for the slightly long earth pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB power cable into the mains power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 2. The iPad Mini 2 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini 2.
  4. Turn on the Panamanian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad Mini 2 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes roughly one-four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad Mini 2 with a Panamanian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org web page about Panama
  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..