How to charge your iPad 3 from a power outlet in Cuba

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad 3 with a Cuban power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a 2 pinned Type C power charger, charging the iPad 3 using a Type A power plug and how to recharge the iPad 3 using a 3 pinned Type B USB charger

Cuban power outlet

Various standards and plugs can often cause confusion when planning on staying in a new country to the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this article tells you exactly what you'll need in advance to power your iPad 3 in Cuba. These instructions were specifically written to stop you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge the iPad 3 abroad.When you are visiting Cuba these useful instructions show powering your iPad 3 using the standard types C, A or B 110 volt 60Hz power outlets, you will find most Cubans will normally use Type C sockets in their plug outlets. Power supplies will vary from region to region so we recommend reading our Wiki Connections global power connections page for a complete list of regions and countries. If your iPad 3 slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are visiting Cuba from a different country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originated from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) sometimes take longer to charge or won't turn on, check that the iPad 3 is dual voltage (you'll find these are usually indicated by 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional power transformer to ensure proper use. If you are planning to stay somewhere like Havana or Santiago de Cuba refer to the Cuban country Wikipedia page [1] for further details prior to the area. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPad 3.

Charging the iPad 3 in Cuba

Can the iPad 3 be used in Cuba?

You can connect the iPad 3 to a Cuban power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 3 in Cuba?

If travelling with more than your iPad 3 and visiting multiple countries then the best international travel charger for Cuba is a multiple USB charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different standards of plug sockets that Cubans use (types C, A and B) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. As these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to over 100 countries around the world simply by switching the supplied heads over. If your iPad 3 is compatible with Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times with one of these types of USB travel chargers plus compatibility with more power hungry devices like tablets. Having a 4 port charger will allow you to recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy seperate power chargers or using up additional wall sockets. By only bringing a single travel charger will keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage while travelling and suitable for recharging your iPad 3 at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving flexibility these types of adapters can be used when you return home as well as abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers without needing an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to Cuba we recommend searching for this type of versatile power charger at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad 3, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which can be necessary for visitors of regions with unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances from voltage spikes. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China 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 compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting Cuba using type B American plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 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 Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad 3 in Cuba?

How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a Cuban power outlet

Using an Apple 30 pin connector and a two pin Type A USB adapter to recharge your iPad 3 from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad 3 from a Cuban power outlet you will need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this cable is usually included with your device by Apple).
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. You can recognise the power supply by 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the twin blades slide into.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple cord into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector is found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of the iPad 3 will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is powering up, typically taking roughly one-four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for charging your iPad 3 from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Cuban power outlet

Using a USB 30 pin cable with a Type B power adapter to charge the iPad 3 with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad 3 from the Cuban power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (the cable is usually already included with your device).
  2. Firstly you'll need to plug in the Type B USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by the 2 slots where the twin plug outlet blades go with a semicircular shaped hole below for the ground pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the base of the iPad 3.
  4. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your tablet screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad 3 is recharging which should take around 60-240 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad 3 from a Cuban power outlet

Powering the iPad 3 with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge the iPad 3 with a Cuban power outlet with a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a 2 pinned Type C power charger.

  1. In order to power the iPad 3 using a Cuban power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - the cable is usually included with your device by Apple.
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the Cuban power outlet. This wall supply, sometimes known as the Europlug or Type C power outlet [8], is recognised by 2 holes next to each other where the twin plug outlet pins go.
  3. Connect one end of the USB cord into the bottom of the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad 3. The iPad 3 dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad 3.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes between 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad 3 with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuban country Wikipedia page
  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 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  9. 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..
  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..