Charging the iPad 2 when staying in Colombia

A guide on how to charge the iPad 2 from a Colombian power outlet using the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a three pin Type A USB charger and powering the iPad 2 using a three pinned Type B power charger.

Colombian power outlet

Varying different standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country if you've never been there before. This page is a step by step guide telling you how to power your iPad 2 when you are visiting Colombia using their standard Type B or A 110 volt 60Hz wall outlets. If your iPad 2 does not power up or charges slowly when you are visiting Colombia from another region then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originate from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, so check the iPad 2 is dual-voltage (you'll find these are usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 2.

Charging the iPad 2 in Colombia

Can the iPad 2 be used in Colombia?

Yes, you can use the iPad 2 in Colombia.

What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad 2 in Colombia?

When travelling to multiple countries or bringing more than just your iPad 2 the best international travel charger for Colombia to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two types of power outlets in Colombia (B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by changing the heads over. If your iPad 2 can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster charging times with one of these types of USB power adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets.

Having a 4 port adapter means you can power more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack individual travel chargers. By only needing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of chargers can be used back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets using just a single wall outlet.

If you travel to different continents we recommend buying this type of versatile travel charger at your preferred electronics retailer - the power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Colombia

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad 2, but for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • 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 option for travellers originating from America visiting Colombia using type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to 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 ideal for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Colombia. [8] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging the iPad 2 in Colombia?

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

A guide on how to charge the iPad 2 from a Colombian power outlet using the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a three pin Type A USB charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to the iPad 2 from a Colombian power outlet you will need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will usually include the cable when you buy the iPad 2.
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Colombian power outlet. The plug supply (known as the Type A power outlet [3]) can be recognised by 2 slots adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins sit.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Colombian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of the iPad 2 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad 2 is charging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a Colombian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

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

Using the USB 30-pin Apple connector with a three pin Type B USB charger to recharge the iPad 2 from a Colombian power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to your iPad 2 from a Colombian power outlet you will need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will usually include the cable with the iPad 2.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type B USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Colombian power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two thin slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades with a semicircular shaped hole below for the longer ground pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 2.
  4. Turn on the Colombian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which typically takes around 1 - 4 hours to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPad 2 with a Colombian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia page about Colombia
  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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  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..