How to charge your iPad Mini 4 from a power outlet in Cuba

Instructions showing how to power your iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet by using the Apple Lightning cable and a three pin Type B USB adapter, how to charge the iPad Mini 4 using a double pinned Type A USB charger and powering the iPad Mini 4 using a Type C power charger

Cuban power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and sockets can often be confusing when planning on visiting another country especially to the first time traveller. These guidelines were written to prevent people needing to worry if they'll be able to power the iPad Mini 4 when they are visiting Cuba.If you're going to Cuba this page has instructions showing how to charge your iPad Mini 4 using the standard types C, A or B 110 volt 60Hz power outlets, Type C plug outlets will be typically used by most Cubans. If the iPad Mini 4 slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when you are travelling to Cuba from another country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally devices which come from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 220 volts) may take longer to charge or won't power up, so check your device is a dual voltage device (normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to ensure proper use. If you're planning on staying somewhere such as Havana or Santiago de Cuba we also suggest referring to the Cuba Wikipedia web page [1] for more information. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Cuba

Can the iPad Mini 4 be used in Cuba?

You can use the iPad Mini 4 in Cuba by using the correct power adaptor.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in Cuba?

If travelling with more than just your iPad Mini 4 the best travel adapter for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are three different standards of wall outlets 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 are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just by switching the plugs over. If your model of iPad Mini 4 is compatible with Fast Charge (note not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers along with additional compatibility with certain power demanding devices.

This means you can recharge more than one device simultaneously without needing to pack seperate power adapters or using up additional power outlets. Because you are only needing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the size down, making it ideal to fold up in hand baggage and suitable for recharging your iPad Mini 4 at an airport or on a plane. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets and phones without needing an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to different continents we recommend searching for a versatile travel adapter similar to this online, the power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different 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 Mini 4, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial for travellers to counties with unreliable or unstable power supplies. These power adapters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • 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 America visiting Cuba using 3 pin 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 North America using type B plugs and is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the 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 Cuba. [10] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPad Mini 4 in Cuba?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet

Using the Lightning Apple cable with a Type A power adapter to charge the iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], typically already supplied with the device.
  2. Insert the Type A USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by the 2 slots adjacent to each other where the live and neutral blades sit.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB Lightning charging cord into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  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 iPad is recharging taking roughly 60-300 minutes to recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet

Using a Lightning Apple connector with a Type B power charger to recharge the iPad Mini 4 with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. To power the iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (this cable is typically included with the iPad Mini 4 by Apple).
  2. First plug the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Cuban power outlet. The power supply (technically known as a Type B power outlet [6]) can be recognised by the two slots with a semicircle shaped hole below for the earthed pin.
  3. Connect the USB end of the Lightning charging cable into the USB mains adapter and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector can be found at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes roughly 60 to 300 minutes to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a two pinned Europlug Type C power charger to recharge the iPad Mini 4 with a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet you will need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5], typically already supplied with the device.
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the Lightning charging cable into the USB mains charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is found at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad Mini 4 is recharging taking around 60-300 minutes to completely recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPad Mini 4 from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cuba Wikipedia web page
  2. Apple - iPad Mini 4 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 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..