Which travel adapter will you need to use a clothes iron in Guinea?

Guinean power outlet

Summary

Check that your clothes iron can handle the voltage in Guinea:

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need to use the correct power adapter for Guinea however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this enables you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 220 volt Guinean power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but won't change the actual physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of wall outlet used in Guinea, therefore check that the power converter has an appropriate power adapter for Guinea otherwise you will need to bring another power adapter. Please note that your personal clothes iron might not be suited for travelling and you could risk potential damage in your luggage. [9] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 220 volts used in Guinea you run the potential risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in Guinea please check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Guinea

Will my clothes iron work in Guinea?

This will depend on if your clothes iron is designed to handle the 220 volt power outlets in Guinea:

Will my US clothes iron work in Guinea?

The instructions on this page assume that you're a reader from the US visiting Guinea and will provide advice on using your American clothes iron with a Guinean power outlet.

Guinea power outlets and plug sockets

What is the frequency used in Guinea?

The frequency from a Guinean power outlet is 50 Hz. [10]

What is the mains voltage in Guinea?

The typical voltage in Guinea is 220 volts.

Which plug adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Guinea?

Type C, F and K power outlets

Which plug adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Guinea?

There are three different types of power outlets used in Guinea, these are type F, C and K with the primary power outlets being type F:

  • Plug Type C - The wall outlet is recognised by the two round adjacent holes where the twin plug socket pins go.
  • Plug Type F - You can recognise the power outlet by two large circular holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral along with metal grounding clips above and below.
  • Plug Type K - This wall outlet (technically known as a type K power outlet) can be identified by three large holes in an inverted triangle shape for the live, neutral and earth pins.

A Type F power adapter is suitable for powering a 220 volt clothes iron in Guinea - read the step by step guide below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Guinea. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to confirm if you have to use a power converter.  [6] [11] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

How can you tell if your clothes iron is dual voltage?

A simple way to tell if your clothes iron will handle a dual voltage outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or handle of your clothes iron. This location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron, it should also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons will change automatically but other models will have a switch which allows you to change between different voltages.

  • Single voltage could say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 220 volts used in Guinea then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Guinean power outlet.
  • Single voltage might also have a small voltage range with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 100-120V. If the 220 volts used in a Guinean power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in Guinea.
  • Dual voltage will say a larger range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your clothes iron will be capable of being used in Guinea or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Guinea with a clothes iron

Can I bring a clothes iron in my carry on luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA also recommends that you should check that your airline which is flying you to Guinea will allow a clothes iron onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aircraft. The TSA also suggests wrapping cords tightly around electric items such as clothes irons. If you do intend to bring a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is advisable to bring hard carry on luggage as this offers the most protection against knocks and drops during your journey.   [12] [13] [AD]

Power converters for Guinea

Do you need a voltage converter to use your clothes iron in Guinea?

A power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 220 volt power outlet used in Guinea. A power converter is suitable for travellers wishing to use their own clothes iron, but it can be considerably cheaper to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it is to buy a power converter. In addition, a travel clothes iron can be substantially lighter and smaller than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suitable when travelling. [9] [AD]

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a plug adapter?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a plug adapter?

A small, cheap and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet in Guinea, whereas a heavier and more expensive power converter will convert a 220 volt Guinean power outlet to work with a non-220 volt clothes iron. [9] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in Guinea using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Guinea by using a two pin Type C travel adapter.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 220 volt power supply but if not then don't continue as you might damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure you have set it to accept 220 volts to use in Guinea; consult the owners manual for more details on how to do this.
  2. If the type of power outlet which is used in Guinea won't take the plug shape on your clothes iron you'll need to use a Type C plug adapter [4]. This power adapter will help adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for use with a power outlet used in Guinea simply by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type C plug adapter into the Guinean power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 circular holes adjacent to each other where the twin pins sit.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Guinean power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on the iron for use in Guinea. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Guinea using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Guinea using a type F power adapter

How to power a clothes iron in Guinea with a two pin Type F travel charger.

  1. Check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 220 volt power supply but if not then do not continue as you may damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure you have set it to accept 220 volts for use in Guinea; please consult the user guide for more details on how to do this.
  2. You'll need to buy a Type F plug adapter [6] if the type of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same type of power outlet which is used in Guinea. This Type F plug adapter is designed to adapt plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet used in Guinea simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Start by taking the Type F plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. You can recognise the plug supply by two 4.8mm circular holes 19 mm adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins, plus grounding clips above and below.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Guinean power outlet.
  6. Your clothes iron can now be used in Guinea. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Guinea using a type F power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Guinea using a type K power adapter

Instructions showing how to use your clothes iron in Guinea using a Type K power adapter.

  1. Check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 220 volt power supply but if not then do not continue as you may damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure you have set it to accept 220 volts for use in Guinea; please consult the user guide for more details on how to do this.
  2. You will need to buy a Type K plug adapter [8] if the type of power outlet which is used in Guinea won't take the plug shape on your clothes iron. This Type K plug adapter is designed to adapt plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet used in Guinea simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Start by taking the Type K plug adapter and inserting it into the Guinean power outlet. This wall supply, technically known as the Type K power outlet [7], looks like 3 holes in an upside-down triangular pattern with the bottom hole appearing in a semicircular shape.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type K plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Guinean power outlet. Your iron should now be ready to be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Guinea using a type K power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Guinea Wikipedia web page
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel iron
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C plug adapter - An unearthed Europlug Type C travel adapter with two 4mm rounded pins placed 19mm apart, designed to fit a variety of sockets commonly used across Europe, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Iceland..
  5. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  6. Type F plug adapter - A versatile Type F adapter, also known as Schuko, compatible with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 plugs. Ideal for use in countries using the Germany outlet type like Peru, Chile, and Uruguay..
  7. iec.ch - Type K power outlet
  8. Type K plug adapter - A Type K travel adapter enables you to power your foreign devices through Denmark's grounded, 3-pin outlets, compliant with the Danish Plug Equipment Section 107-2-D1 Standard..
  9. Power converter - Heavy-duty power converters are designed to convert voltage levels between different electrical standards, shifting between 110V/120V and 220V/240V with both 50Hz and 60Hz, often incorporating safety features such as fuse protection and circuit breakers..
  10. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  11. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  12. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for clothes irons -
  13. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.