How do I use my clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau?

Bissau-Guinean power outlet

Summary

First check your clothes iron can work in Guinea-Bissau:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need an appropriate power adapter for Guinea-Bissau but 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 Bissau-Guinean power outlet, however this is noticeably bulkier, heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter changes the voltage but won't change the actual shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the wall outlet used in Guinea-Bissau, therefore please check that your voltage transformer comes with an appropriate power adapter for Guinea-Bissau otherwise you will need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Also worth noting that your own existing clothes iron might not be suited for travelling and you risk damage in your luggage. [5] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 220 volts used in Guinea-Bissau you run a risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Prior to using your clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau please check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau

Will my clothes iron work in Guinea-Bissau?

It depends on if your clothes iron can handle the 220 volts which are used in Guinea-Bissau:

Can I use my US clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau?

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

Guinea-Bissau power outlets and plug sockets

What frequency is used in Guinea-Bissau?

The frequency used in a Bissau-Guinean power outlet is 50Hz. [6]

What is the mains voltage in Guinea-Bissau?

The normal voltage used in Guinea-Bissau is 220 volts.

Which travel adapter do you need when using a clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau?

Type C power outlets are used in Guinea-Bissau. You can identify the wall outlet by the two circular adjacent holes. A Type C plug adapter is suitable for powering a 220 volt clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau - read the simple instructions below for full details of using a power adapter for Guinea-Bissau. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also need to bring a power converter.  [4] [7] [AD]

Which travel adapter do you need when using a clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau?

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

One method 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 your clothes iron. This location will depend on the make and model of your clothes iron and should also be written in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage models will change automatically, however other models will feature a switch which allows you to change between different voltage ranges.

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

Travelling to Guinea-Bissau with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in carry on luggage to Guinea-Bissau?

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 also recommends that you should check that the airline that is taking you to Guinea-Bissau 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 advices wrapping wires tightly around electric items such as clothes irons. If you do intend to pack 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 greatest protection against knocks and drops during transit.   [8] [9] [AD]

Power converters for Guinea-Bissau

Do I need a voltage converter to use my clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau?

The correct voltage transformer (or power converter) allows a clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 220 volt power outlet used in Guinea-Bissau. A power converter is more suitable for travellers wishing to bring their existing domestic clothes iron, however it could be more expensive to buy a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. In addition, a travel clothes iron can be significantly lighter and smaller than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suitable for packing in luggage. [5] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

An expensive and heavy power converter will convert the voltage of 220 volts from a Bissau-Guinean power outlet to work with a non-220 volt clothes iron, whereas a smaller and more lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet found in Guinea-Bissau. [5] [AD]

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

How to power your clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau using a Type C travel charger.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 220 volt power supply; but if not then do not attempt these instructions because 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 the switch is set to the 220 volt setting to use in Guinea-Bissau, please refer to the owners manual to find out how to do this.
  2. You will need to buy a Type C plug adapter [4] if the shape of the power outlet which is used in Guinea-Bissau isn't the same shape as the plug shape of your clothes iron. The Type C plug adapter is designed to convert different plugs from other countries for a power outlet in Guinea-Bissau simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 220 volt supply.
  3. Start by inserting the Type C plug adapter into the Bissau-Guinean power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by two holes next to each other.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Bissau-Guinean power outlet. Your clothes iron can now be used in Guinea-Bissau. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Guinea-Bissau using a type C power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Guinea-Bissau country wikipedia 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. 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..
  6. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  7. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  8. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for clothes irons -
  9. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.