Charging your iPad 4 from a power outlet in China

Instructions showing how to charge your iPad 4 with a Chinese power outlet with the Apple Lightning cable and a Type A USB charger, how to power the iPad 4 using a Type C Europlug power charger and how to charge the iPad 4 using a Type I USB plug

Chinese power outlet

Varying complicated frequencies and standards can often be daunting when planning to stay in a new country, especially for the first time traveller. These instructions have been specifically written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPad 4 when staying in China.If planning a holiday to China this page has instructions showing you charging the iPad 4 using the Type I, A or C Chinese 220 volt 50Hz power outlets, Type I plug outlets will be used by a majority of Chinese. Most power will change from country to country so we suggest reading the power supplies and Asia page for a full list of countries. When travelling to China from another region ensure that your iPad 4 can accept a 240 volt supply. If your iPad 4 was purchased from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPad 4 is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to avoid the device from being damaged when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 4.

Charging the iPad 4 in China

Can you use the iPad 4 in China?

You can use the iPad 4 in China.

What is the best power adapter for the iPad 4 in China?

If you are travelling with more than your iPad 4 the best travel charger for China to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three standards of plug sockets in China (I, A and C) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts to 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 type of iPad 4 can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these types of power adapters and additional support for more power demanding devices.

This will also allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to buy multiple power adapters or occupying additional power sockets. Only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage. Because of their flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and smartphones using only a single power outlet.

We recommend buying a versatile travel charger of this nature online; the multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous different countries.

Alternative travel adapter for China

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to charge devices using USB, but for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs the following power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both 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 option for travellers originating from America going to China.
  • 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 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 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting China. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPad 4 in China?

Powering the iPad 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

A guide showing how to charge your iPad 4 from a Chinese power outlet with a Lightning cable and a Type A USB charger.

  1. To power your iPad 4 using the Chinese power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is typically supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by two slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral blades.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging taking around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Powering the iPad 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector with a two pin Type C USB adapter to power the iPad 4 from a Chinese power outlet.

  1. To power your iPad 4 using the Chinese power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this USB cable is typically supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Start by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter into the Chinese power outlet. You can identify the power supply by the two round holes next to each other.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 4 with a Chinese power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type I power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Chinese power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple cable and a Type I USB adapter to power the iPad 4 from a Chinese power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad 4 from the Chinese power outlet you will need to use a Type I USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (the USB cable is normally already included with your iPad 4).
  2. Start by plugging the Type I USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by the three slots in a triangle pattern with the top pair of slots sloping upward for the live, neutral and ground blades. Please note that the live and neutral blades are configured reversed compared to Argentinian power outlets, please check that your Type I travel adaptor is compatible with a Chinese power outlet.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Chinese power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the iPad 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is charging and takes around 60 to 240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type I power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Chinese power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about China
  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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  9. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  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..