How to charge the iPad 2 when visiting Laos

A guide on how to recharge the iPad 2 with a Lao power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type F USB adapter, charging the iPad 2 using a Type C USB adapter and charging the iPad 2 using a Type E USB charger

Lao power outlet

Various combinations of standards and voltages can often be daunting when planning to travel to another country, especially to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complex as it appears, with only a handful of different types of plug sockets used in the world this guide tells you exactly what to buy in advance to charge the iPad 2 . This page was written to prevent travellers needing to worry if they can charge their iPad 2 when they are staying in Laos.When visiting Laos this page has useful instructions showing how to supply power to your iPad 2 by using the Type F, C or E Lao 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets. When visiting Laos from another country check your iPad 2 can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 120 volts double check your iPad 2 is dual voltage (indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to prevent the device from overloading when charging it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 2.

Charging the iPad 2 in Laos

Can the iPad 2 be used in Laos?

Yes, you can use the iPad 2 in Laos by using a power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 2 in Laos?

If you are travelling with more than just your iPad 2 and visiting more than one country the best travel power adapter for Laos is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Laos use three different standards of wall outlets (F, C and E) and using a power adapter like this ensures that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the included heads over. If your iPad 2 can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these types of power adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices.

Unlike other travel chargers this means you can charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate travel adapters for your trip or using up additional wall outlets. Only needing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage. Due to their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional plug socket.

We suggest searching for a flexible travel charger similar to this online. The multipurpose travel charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Laos

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power strips offer surge protection which is necessary when visiting regions with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Laos and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from America visiting Laos.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 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 wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Laos. [9] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad 2 in Laos?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Lao power outlet

Using a USB 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type C USB charger to power the iPad 2 with a Lao power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPad 2 using a Lao power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple will normally supply this USB cable when you buy the iPad 2.
  2. Start the process by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Lao power outlet. This ungrounded wall outlet, sometimes called a Type C power outlet [3], is identified by 2 adjacent holes.
  3. Then connect one end of the 30 pin cord into the bottom of the USB mains 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 Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up and takes between 60-240 minutes to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Lao power outlet

How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Lao power outlet

Using a 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type E USB charger to power the iPad 2 with a Lao power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 2 using a Lao power outlet you'll need to use a Type E USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple should normally include this cable when you buy the iPad 2.
  2. Begin the process by inserting the Type E USB power plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the two circular holes 19mm adjacent to each other where the two plug outlet pins go and one long metal earth pin protruding the top forming a triangle shape.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple 30 pin USB cord into the bottom of the USB mains 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 Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes roughly 60-240 minutes to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for recharging your iPad 2 from a Lao power outlet

Charging the iPad 2 from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pinned Type F power charger to charge the iPad 2 from a Lao power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad 2 using the Lao power outlet you'll need a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (the cable is normally supplied with the device).
  2. First you'll need to insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the Lao power outlet. This circular plug supply, also known as the Schuko outlet, can be recognised by two large round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral pins and a pair of two grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 2.
  4. Switch on the Lao power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad 2 screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging which typically takes around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad 2 from a Lao power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia web page about Laos
  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. 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..