How to charge the iPad when staying in American Samoa

A step-by-step guide showing you how to charge the iPad with an American Samoan power outlet by using the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type B power charger, charging the iPad using a 2 pinned Type A power charger and charging the iPad using a 2 pinned Type F USB charger

American Samoan power outlet

Complicated region codes and plugs can often be daunting when planning to stay in another country especially for the first time traveller. If you are travelling to American Samoa the following instructions show charging your iPad using their Type I, A, B or F 120 volt 60Hz plug outlets, please note that Type I wall outlets will be normally used by most American Samoans. If the iPad does not power up or charges slowly when visiting American Samoa from another region then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originated from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts may take longer to charge or won't power up, so check that the iPad is dual voltage (you'll find these are normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. This page details the original iPad first generation, visit the Apple category page for the latest range of Apple iPads. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 5 or greater on the iPad.

Charging the iPad in American Samoa

Can the iPad be used in American Samoa?

You can connect the iPad to an American Samoan power outlet by using a power convertor.

What is the best power charger for the iPad in American Samoa?

If travelling to more than one country the best travel power adapter for American Samoa to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are four different standards of power outlets in American Samoa (types I, A, B and F) and using a power charger like this ensures that you are covered for type A. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world just by changing the supplied heads over. If your model of iPad can support Fast Charge (please note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much faster recharging times with one of these power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices. Unlike other chargers this will also allow you to recharge more than one device at the same time without needing to bring multiple travel adapters. Because you are only bringing a single travel charger will help keep the size down, making it perfect to fold up and store in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your iPad at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when you return home so when you’re not on holiday they can be used overnight charging multiple phones, tablets and speakers without needing an additional power outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend searching for a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer. The power charger illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for American Samoa

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPad, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs the following power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which can be useful for visitors of regions with unreliable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both American Samoa 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 most popular compact option for travellers originating from North America going to American Samoa using 3 pinned type B US 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 and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet for almost half 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 majority of travellers from around the world visiting American Samoa. [12] [AD]
What is the best power charger for the iPad in American Samoa?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad from an American Samoan power outlet

Using the 30 pin Apple connector and a Type A power charger to power your iPad from an American Samoan power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPad using an American Samoan power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should usually supply this cable when you first purchase the iPad).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This wall supply, sometimes known as the Type A power outlet [3], is recognised by the two thin adjacent slots.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the American Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right corner of your iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your iPad from an American Samoan power outlet

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad from an American Samoan power outlet

A page on how to power your iPad from an American Samoan power outlet using a USB 30-pin cable with a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter.

  1. To supply power to the iPad using an American Samoan power outlet you will need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (typically supplied with the iPad by Apple).
  2. Plug in the Type B USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. This wall supply, sometimes called a Type B power outlet [6], is recognised by the two thin slots with a hole below for the grounded pin.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the American Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your iPad from an American Samoan power outlet

Powering the iPad with an American Samoan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Using a USB 30 pin Apple connector and a Type F power charger to power your iPad from an American Samoan power outlet.

  1. In order to charge the iPad from the American Samoan power outlet you'll need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], Apple should usually supply this cable with your iPad.
  2. Begin by inserting the Type F USB power plug adapter in the American Samoan power outlet. The recessed circular power outlet (called a Type F power outlet [8] or Schuko outlet) can be identified by the two large circular adjacent holes next to each other and grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  3. Plug in one end of the power cord into the bottom of the mains USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector can be found at the bottom of the iPad.
  4. Turn on the American Samoan 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 taking between 60-240 minutes to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPad with an American Samoan power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Charging the iPad from an American Samoan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge the iPad with an American Samoan power outlet by using a USB 30-pin cable with a Type I power charger.

  1. In order to charge the iPad from the American Samoan power outlet you'll need to use a Type I USB power plug adapter [11] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple normally include the USB cable with your iPad).
  2. Begin by inserting the Type I USB power plug adapter in the American Samoan power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 3 slots in an upside-down triangle shape with the top pair of slots sloping upwards for the live, neutral and earth blades.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPad. The iPad dock connector is found at the base of the iPad.
  4. Switch on the American Samoan power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging taking roughly one to four hours to fully recharge to 100% capacity. [AD]
Charging the iPad from an American Samoan power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type J USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - American Samoan 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 F power outlet
  9. 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..
  10. iec.ch - Type I power outlet
  11. Type I USB power plug adapter - Type I USB chargers use three short flat blades in a V format with the top blade acting as a grounding pin.
  12. 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..