Which power adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in The Philippines?

Filipino power outlet

Summary

Check that your clothes iron can handle the voltage in The Philippines:

  • If your clothes iron can run using 220 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can check) then you will only need to use the correct power adapter listed below if the plug on your clothes iron will not fit in the outlet.

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need a power adapter for The Philippines however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 220 volt Filipino power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter will change the voltage but won't change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the power outlet used in The Philippines, so please check that your power converter comes with the right power adapter for The Philippines otherwise you will need to bring another power adapter. Be aware that your own existing clothes iron might not be suited for travel and you risk damage in a suitcase. [9] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle the 220 volts used in The Philippines you run the potential risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Prior to using your clothes iron in The Philippines please check the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in The Philippines

Will my clothes iron work in The Philippines?

This will depend on if your clothes iron can operate using the 220 volts which are used in The Philippines. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron is designed to handle 220 volts and you have the correct plug adapter then you can use your clothes iron in The Philippines. If not then you will need to consider buying either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or a heavier and more expensive power converter. Read our section on will a voltage converter work with a clothes iron in The Philippines for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [9] [AD]

Can I use my American clothes iron in The Philippines?

The guides on this page assume that you are an America reader travelling to The Philippines and provide advice on using your US clothes iron with a Filipino power outlet.

The Philippines power outlets and plug sockets

What electrical frequency is used in The Philippines?

The frequency from a Filipino power outlet is 60 Hz. [10]

What is the mains voltage in The Philippines?

Power outlets in The Philippines are 220 volts.

Which power adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in The Philippines?

Type A, B and C power outlets

Which power adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in The Philippines?

There are three types of power outlets used in The Philippines, types C, A and B with the primary power outlets being type C:

  • Plug Type A - You can recognise the power outlet by 2 slots adjacent to each other.
  • Plug Type B - This wall outlet, also known as a type B power outlet, is identified by two thin slots parallel to each other with a semicircular shaped hole below for the ground pin.
  • Plug Type C - You can recognise the power outlet by 2 round holes adjacent to each other.

A Type C plug adapter will allow you to use a 220 volt clothes iron in The Philippines, read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in The Philippines. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also have to use a power converter.  [6] [11] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

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

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron supports dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the base, handle or plug of your clothes iron. This location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron and could also be written on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons can change automatically, however other models will have a button which allows you to change between different voltages.

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

Travelling to The Philippines with a clothes iron

Can I carry on a clothes iron?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA recommends that you should verify that the airline who is flying you to The Philippines will allow clothes irons onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane. The TSA also advices wrapping cords tightly around clothes irons.

If you do intend to bring a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is advisable to use hard carry on luggage as this offers the most protection against knocks and bumps during transit.   [12] [13] [AD]

Power converters for The Philippines

Do I need a converter to use a clothes iron in The Philippines?

A power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 220 volt power outlet used in The Philippines. A power converter is more suited for travellers wishing to bring along their existing domestic clothes iron, but it can be more costly to buy a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. A power converter is substantially heavier and bulkier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable when travelling. [9] [AD]

What is the difference between a power converter and a plug adapter for The Philippines?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a power converter and a plug adapter for The Philippines?

A heavy and bulky power converter will transform the voltage of 220 volts from a Filipino power outlet to work with a non-220 volt clothes iron, but a more lightweight and smaller power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet in The Philippines. [9] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in The Philippines using a type B power adapter

How to power a clothes iron in The Philippines by using a Type B power 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 proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure the switch is set to accept 220 volts - please refer to the instructions for more details on how to do this.
  2. You will need to buy a Type B plug adapter [4] if the shape of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same type of plug outlet used in The Philippines. This Type B plug adapter is designed to adapt different plugs from other countries for use with an electrical outlet in The Philippines simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 220 volt supply.
  3. Begin by taking the Type B plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 slots next to each other where the short live and neutral plug outlet blades go with a single hole below for the grounded pin. Please note that power cords with type B outlets which are rated at 125 volts should not be used so we suggest checking prior to continuing.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Filipino power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on your iron to use in The Philippines. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Philippines using a type B power adapter

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

How to use your clothes iron in The Philippines with a 2 pinned Type C power charger.

  1. Ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 220 volt power outlet; but if it doesn't then do not attempt these instructions because you may damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Dual voltage irons typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron ensure the switch is set to the 220 volt setting for use in The Philippines, please consult the user guide for more details on where this switch is located.
  2. If the shape of the power outlet used in The Philippines isn't the same shape as the plug shape on your clothes iron you'll need to buy a Type C plug adapter [6]. This power adapter will fit different plugs from other countries for an electrical outlet in The Philippines by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type C plug adapter in the Filipino power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 holes next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins go.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Filipino power outlet. The iron can now be used in The Philippines. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Philippines using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in The Philippines using a type A power adapter

How to use your clothes iron in The Philippines with a 2 bladed Type A power charger.

  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 proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, blow a fuse or damage your iron. Before using a dual voltage travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure the switch is set to the 220 volt setting - please consult the instructions for more details on how to do this.
  2. This guide assumes that you don't already own a clothes iron with a Type A plug - if it does then you won't need a power adapter (but you will still need to check that your clothes iron will work with a 220 volt power supply). So, if the plug on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet which is used in The Philippines you'll need to use a Type A plug adapter [8]. The power adapter will convert plugs from other countries for a power outlet found in The Philippines by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by plugging the Type A plug adapter in the Filipino power outlet. The power supply, sometimes called a Type A power outlet [7], is recognised by two thin slots parallel to each other. Please be aware power cords used with type A plugs which are rated at less that 240 volts shouldn't be used in The Philippines so please check first.
  4. Next plug in the clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Filipino power outlet. The iron can now be used in The Philippines. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Philippines using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about The Philippines
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel iron
  3. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  4. Type B plug adapter - A Type B adapter, rated at 15 A and 125 V, featuring two parallel flat blades and a longer grounding pin, in compliance with NEMA 5-15 specifications. Suitable for travel to the US plug types and Canadian plugs..
  5. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  6. 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..
  7. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  8. Type A plug adapter - A two-blade, ungrounded electrical plug adapter for US plug types, Canadian power outlets, Thailand sockets, Mexico plug types, and select Asian power outlets..
  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.