Charging the iPad when planning a trip to Ethiopia

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a 2 pin Type C power adapter, how to power the iPad using a 2 pin Type E power adapter and powering the iPad using a two pin Type F power adapter

Ethiopian power outlet

Various combinations of frequencies and standards can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. This page contains a simple guide demonstrating exactly what you'll need to power your iPad when staying in Ethiopia using the types E, C, F or L 220 volt 50Hz wall outlets. You will find power is different regionally therefore we suggest reading the Africa page for a complete list of regions and countries. When visiting Ethiopia from a different region please make sure that your iPad can accept a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPad is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to avoid the device from overloading whilst powering it. 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 Ethiopia

Can you use the iPad in Ethiopia?

You can use the iPad in Ethiopia by using a power adaptor.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad in Ethiopia?

If you are travelling with more than your iPad or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Ethiopia to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Ethiopians use four different types of power outlets (types E, C, F and L) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 to 240 volts will mean you can travel to multiple countries around the world simply by changing the included heads. If your iPad can support Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters this will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers on your Ethiopian trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single USB travel charger will keep the overall weight and size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your iPad at the airport or on your flight. Due to their versatility these types of travel chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple smartphones, tablets and speakers without using up an additional plug socket.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power charger online; the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Ethiopia

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, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Ethiopia using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 most travellers from around the world visiting Ethiopia. [11] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad in Ethiopia?

Powering the iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a 2 pin Type C power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPad from an Ethiopian power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should normally supply the cable with the iPad).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the power outlet by the two adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into.
  3. Connect one end of the charging cable into the bottom of the USB 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. Switch on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type E power charger for charging your iPad from an Ethiopian power outlet

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type E power adapter to recharge your iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad from an Ethiopian power outlet you'll need a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], typically included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type E USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the power outlet by the two large adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into and a single metal earth pin protruding in the top in a triangular configuration.
  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. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for charging your iPad from an Ethiopian power outlet

Powering the iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

A page showing how to charge your iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet using the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type F power adapter.

  1. If you want to power your iPad using the Ethiopian power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPad).
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the Ethiopian power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two 4.8mm round adjacent holes for live and neutral pins along with a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is recharging which takes roughly one to four hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Charging the iPad from an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a 3 pin Type L USB charger to recharge your iPad with an Ethiopian power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad using the Ethiopian power outlet you will need to use a Type L USB power plug adapter [10] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (usually supplied with your iPad).
  2. Insert the Type L USB power plug adapter in the Ethiopian power outlet. This flattened hexagon shaped plug supply (known as a Type L power outlet [9]) can be recognised by 3 large circular adjecent holes forming a line. Note that there are two types of Type L wall outlet rated for 10 and 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm round pins which are spaced 5.5mm apart whilst a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm thick pins spaced 8mm apart.
  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. The iPad dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the Ethiopian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad from an Ethiopian power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Ethiopian 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 E power outlet
  7. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  10. 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.
  11. 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..