How to charge the iPad Air 2 when staying in Italy

A page on how to power your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet with the Lightning Apple connector and a 3 pinned Type L USB adapter, charging an iPad Air 2 using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter and recharging an iPad Air 2 using a Schuko Type F power charger

Italian power outlet

Various region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning to stay in a foreign country especially to the first time traveller. However this isn't as complicated as it first appears, with only a handful of different types of sockets being used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what to purchase in advance to charge your iPad Air 2 in Italy. This guide shows what you'll need to supply power to your iPad Air 2 when you're in Italy by using the standard types L, C or F Italian 230 volt 50Hz wall outlets, you'll discover most Italians will typically use the Type L wall outlets. When you are travelling to Italy from a different region make sure that your iPad Air 2 can accept a 240 volt supply. If the iPad Air 2 came from a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) make sure the iPad Air 2 is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional power converter to prevent the device from being damaged during charging. These instructions assume that you've downloaded Apple iOS 7 or greater on an iPad Air 2.

Charging an iPad Air 2 in Italy

Can the iPad Air 2 be used in Italy?

You can connect an iPad Air 2 to an Italian power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Italy?

When you are travelling to multiple countries the best travel charger for Italy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Italians use three different types of plug sockets (L, C and F) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type C. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the included heads over. If your model of iPad Air 2 supports Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times by using one of these types of USB travel adapters, along with additional compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters this will also allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power chargers. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage. Due to their flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used when you return home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online, the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Italy

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world wanting to charge devices via USB, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to regions with unstable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Italy and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable power converter for travellers originating from North America going to Italy using 3 pinned type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers originating from North America using type B plugs. This offers almost the same set of features as the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers a more 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 suitable for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Italy. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging an iPad Air 2 in Italy?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple connector and a Type C power charger to power your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet.

  1. To supply power to an iPad Air 2 using an Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (typically already supplied with the iPad Air 2 by Apple).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type C USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this power supply by 2 round holes next to each other where the twin plug outlet pins slide into.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is charging which typically takes roughly 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet

Charging an iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

Using a USB Lightning cable with a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter to recharge your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet.

  1. If you want to power your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad Air 2).
  2. Start the process by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the Italian power outlet. You can identify this power supply by two adjacent holes and grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the power cord into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Turn on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is powering up, typically taking around 1 to 4 hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging an iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet by using a two pinned Schuko Type F USB adapter

How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple connector and a Type L power charger to power your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet.

  1. To supply power to an iPad Air 2 using an Italian power outlet you will need a Type L USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (normally included with your device).
  2. Plug in the Type L USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this hexagon shaped wall supply by 3 holes in a line. You'll find there are two variations of Type L power supply, one rated at 10 amps and one at 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm thick round pins that are spaced 5.5mm apart, whilst the 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm thick round pins that are spaced 8mm apart.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on an iPad Air 2. The iPad Air 2 lightning connector is found at the base of the iPad Air 2.
  4. Switch on the Italian power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad Air 2 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad Air 2 is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type L power charger for recharging your iPad Air 2 from an Italian power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about Italy
  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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  9. 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.
  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..