I have a 65W Lenovo USB C charger that I want to use with a Belkin USB multi port dock. The belkin documentation states that the dock requires 15W. Is the remaining approx 50W ok for charging my iPad Air? I don’t want to cause any damage to the iPad or battery. I think I read somewhere that the ipad will only draw what it needs up to approx 30W regardless of charger capacity. Thanks in advance.
iPad Air (5th generation)
Your iPad supports USB PD (Power Delivery) - and can be used with Power Adapters that support this charging standard. Many third-party Power Adapters may support other alternative and proprietary charging standards that will not be supported by Apple devices. By example, QC (Quick Charge) is not supported by, or compatible with, Apple devices.
Unless your Lenovo Power Adapter explicitly states support for USB PD, you would be well advised to carefully consider its use with your iPad. An unsuitable Power Adapter can seriously damage incompatible devices.
A healthy high-output USB PD Power Adapter is completely safe to use with your iPad. However, the iPad will not charge any quicker than when using its supplied 20W USB-C Power Adapter, as the iPad will only charge at its maximum supported charging rate (~20W).
Where the higher-power Power Adapter does provide benefit is when being used with other USB devices via a USB hub or adapter. A higher-output Power Adapter provides a greater “power budget” - allowing other devices to receive power while maintaining the iPad’s maximum 20W charging rate. For example, a USB multiport hub may typically require 10W power; connected USB devices (external storage, keyboard, mouse etc) also draw additional power from the source. If the connected load exceeds the available supply, the iPad may not charge - or may charge at a substantially slower rate. In extremis, both the iPad and Power Adapter will share the connected load - and the iPad may actually discharge its battery to make-up the shortfall in available power from a connected Power Adapter.
Charging from a Windows PC (or other computer) is a different case entirely. When charging from a computer’s USB port, you will be charging the connected device at 5V - the maximum current being limited by both the USB port and the cable.
Unless explicitly designed (and often marked as being suitable) for charging connected devices, computer USB ports are typically limited to 0.5-1A @5V (i.e., 2.5-5.0W). Those that are capable of charging connected devices are often capable of sourcing no more than 12-15W (i.e., 2.4-3.0A @5V).
Alas, this discussion now digresses substantially from the OP’s original enquiry.
Is a 65W charger compatible with iPad Air (5th Gen)?
