Which travel adapter do I need to bring for using a clothes iron in Mali?

Malian power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can work in Mali:

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need to use the right power adapter for Mali however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for the rigors of travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this enables you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 220 volt Malian power outlet, however this is noticeably bulkier, heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter will change the voltage but won't change the physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of power outlet used in Mali, therefore please check that your voltage transformer includes a suitable power adapter for Mali otherwise you will still need to bring another power adapter. Please note that your own existing clothes iron might not be suited for travelling and you could risk damage in a suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 220 volts you run a risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in Mali read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Mali

Will my clothes iron work in Mali?

It depends on if your clothes iron is designed to operate using the 220 volt power outlets used in Mali:

How can I use my American clothes iron in Mali?

The guides on this page assume that you are an America reader visiting Mali and will provide advice on using your American clothes iron with a Malian power outlet.

Mali power outlets and plug sockets

What voltage is used in Mali?

Power outlets in Mali are 220 volts.

What is the frequency used with a Malian power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current from a Malian power outlet is 50 Hz. [8]

Which power adapter do you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Mali?

Type C and E power outlets

Which power adapter do you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Mali?

There are two different types of power outlets used in Mali, types E and C with the primary power outlets being type E:

  • Plug Type C - You can identify this power socket by two circular adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go.
  • Plug Type E - You can identify this plug socket by two large round adjacent holes next to each other where the plug socket pins go plus one metal grounding pin protruding in the top forming a triangle shape.

A suitable power adapter to bring when using a 220 volt clothes iron in Mali is a Type E plug adapter; read the step-by-step guide below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Mali with a travel adapter. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to confirm if you have to use a voltage converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

How can I tell if my clothes iron is dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron supports a dual voltage outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, handle or the base of the clothes iron. The location will depend on the make and model of your clothes iron and could also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons will change automatically, however other models will feature a button or switch which allows you to toggle between different voltages depending on which country you are in.

  • A specific number such as 110V indicates a single voltage clothes iron. If this number matches the 220 volts used in Mali then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Malian power outlet.
  • A small voltage range with a dash such as 100-120V also indicates a single voltage clothes iron which can accomodate small voltage fluctuations. If the 220 volts used in a Malian power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in Mali.
  • A large voltage range separated with a slash such as 100/240V indicates a dual voltage clothes iron capable of being used in Mali or any other country.

Travelling to Mali with a clothes iron

Can you carry on a clothes iron?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on carrying a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA recommends that you should verify that your airline which is flying you to Mali will allow a clothes iron onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane. The TSA also suggests wrapping wires tightly around clothes irons. If you 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 provides the greatest protection against knocks and bumps during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Mali

What is the difference between a power adapter and a voltage converter for Mali?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a power adapter and a voltage converter for Mali?

A lightweight, small and cheap power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in Mali, however a more expensive and heavier power converter will transform the voltage of 220 volts from a Malian power outlet to work with a non-220 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

Can I use a clothes iron with a power converter for Mali?

The correct power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to operate with the 220 volt power outlet used in Mali. Travellers who wish to bring their existing domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, but it can be a lot less expensive to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it will be to buy a power converter. A power converter is also substantially bulkier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing in luggage. [7] [AD]

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

How to use a clothes iron in Mali with a two pronged Type C travel charger.

  1. Make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 220 volt power outlet but if not then do not continue because you may create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Dual voltage irons sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 220 volts for use in Mali, please refer to the user guide for more information on how to do this.
  2. If the plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet which is used in Mali you'll need to bring a Type C plug adapter [4]. The power adapter is designed to fit plugs on appliances from other countries into an electrical outlet found in Mali simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 220 volt supply.
  3. Begin the process by inserting the Type C plug adapter into the Malian power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by the 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Malian power outlet. Your clothes iron can now be used in Mali. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Mali using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Mali using a type E power adapter

How to power a clothes iron in Mali with a 2 prong Type E travel charger.

  1. Make sure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 220 volt power supply but if it doesn't then do not proceed as you could blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a dual voltage travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure you have set it to the 220 volt setting, refer to the user guide for more details on where the switch is found.
  2. You will need to bring a Type E plug adapter [6] if the shape of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the power outlet which is used in Mali. This Type E plug adapter will convert different plugs from other countries into a power outlet found in Mali by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 220 volt supply.
  3. First you'll need to insert the Type E plug adapter in the Malian power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the two 4.8mm circular adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral pins plus a single metal grounding pin protruding in the top to form a triangular configuration.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Malian power outlet. Your iron can now be used in Mali. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Mali using a type E power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about Mali
  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 E power outlet
  6. Type E plug adapter - A CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug compliant Type E adapter designed with a focus on safety, featuring two round pins and an earthing hole. Ideal for use in the France, Belgium, Poland and several African nations..
  7. 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..
  8. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  9. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  10. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for clothes irons -
  11. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.