How to charge the iPad 4 when planning a trip to Spain

Instructions showing how to power your iPad 4 with a Spanish power outlet with a Lightning Apple connector with a Europlug Type C USB adapter and how to charge the iPad 4 using a double pinned Schuko Type F power plug.

Spanish power outlet

Complicated combinations of frequencies and region codes can often lead to confusion when planning on staying in a foreign country especially if you've never been there before. This page has step-by-step instructions telling you what you'll need to charge the iPad 4 when travelling to Spain using their standard types F or C Spanish 230 volt 50Hz power outlets, most Spaniards use the Type F power outlets. If travelling to Spain from another country check the iPad 4 can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from over-heating during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 4.

Charging the iPad 4 in Spain

Can you use the iPad 4 in Spain?

Yes, you can connect the iPad 4 to a Spanish power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Spain?

If travelling to more than one country the best international travel charger for Spain is a multiple USB adapter which includes compatible plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of power outlets in Spain (types F and C) and using a power charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and can handle from 100 - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world just by changing the included plugs. If your model of iPad 4 supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times by using one of these power adapters, and support for more power hungry devices. This means you can recharge more than one device at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters for your trip or occupying additional wall sockets. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will keep the weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand baggage while travelling. Due to their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers using just a single plug socket.

We suggest buying an adaptable power adapter of this nature online, the power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Spain

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 wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be crucial for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Spain 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 North America visiting Spain using type B US 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 the US using type B plugs and gives almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 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 perfect for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Spain. [8] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging the iPad 4 in Spain?

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

Using the Apple Lightning connector and a two pinned Europlug Type C power charger to charge the iPad 4 from a Spanish power outlet.

  1. In order to power the iPad 4 using the Spanish power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - the USB cable is usually included with your iPad 4 by Apple.
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Spanish power outlet. You can identify this power outlet by the 2 round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 4 is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 4 with a Spanish power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Spanish power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a Type F power adapter to charge your iPad 4 from a Spanish power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad 4 from a Spanish power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple should usually include the USB cable with your iPad 4).
  2. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power supply. This sunken circular power supply can be identified by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm next to each other where the live and neutral pins sit along with thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple power cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad 4. The iPad 4 lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad 4.
  4. Turn on the Spanish power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up which should take between one to four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPad 4 from a Spanish power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Spanish Wikipedia page
  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 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 F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  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..