How do I use my clothes iron in Principe?

Prinicipe power outlet

Summary

Check that your clothes iron can work in Principe:

  • If your clothes iron can run on 220 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can tell) then you will only need to bring the right power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your clothes iron will not fit.

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need to use an appropriate power adapter for Principe 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 Prinicipe power outlet, however this is substantially bulkier 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 Principe, therefore check that your voltage transformer includes a suitable power adapter for Principe otherwise you will still need to bring a seperate power adapter. Please be aware that your existing clothes iron might not be suitable for travel and you risk potential damage in a suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 220 volts 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 Principe please check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Principe

Will my clothes iron work in Principe?

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

Will my US clothes iron work in Principe?

The guides on this page assume that you're a reader from the US travelling to Principe and provide guidance for using your US clothes iron with a Prinicipe power outlet.

Principe power outlets and plug sockets

What frequency is used in Principe?

The frequency of the current found in a Prinicipe power outlet is 50 Hz. [8]

What is the voltage in Principe?

Power outlets in Principe are 220 volts.

Which plug adapter do you need to bring to use a clothes iron in Principe?

Type C and F power outlets

Which plug adapter do you need to bring to use a clothes iron in Principe?

There are two types of power outlets used in Principe, these are type F and C with the primary power outlets being type F:

  • Plug Type C - You can identify the wall outlet by the 2 circular holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  • Plug Type F - This sunken circular wall outlet can be recognised by the two round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other, plus two thin grounding clips above and below.

A recommended plug adapter to bring to use a 220 volt clothes iron in Principe is a Type F plug adapter - read the step-by-step guide below for full details of using a power adapter for Principe. Please be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to check if you need to use a voltage converter.  [6] [9] [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 will accept dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle, base or plug of the clothes iron. This location will depend on the make and model of your clothes iron and should also be written on the box. Some dual voltage models can change automatically but other models will have a button or switch which allows you to toggle between different regions depending on which country you are in.

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

Travelling to Principe with a clothes iron

Can I carry on a clothes iron in my luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on carrying a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also recommends that you should check that the airline who is taking you to Principe 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 advices wrapping cables tightly around electronic items. If you intend to bring a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to bring hard carry on luggage as this provides the most protection against knocks and bumps during your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Principe

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?

A heavy and bulky power converter converts the voltage of 220 volts from a Prinicipe power outlet to work with a non-220 volt clothes iron, but a more lightweight and cheaper power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in Principe. [7] [AD]

Do I need a voltage converter in Principe to use my clothes iron?

A voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 220 volt power outlet used in Principe. A power converter is suitable for travellers who want to use their own clothes iron, however it can be considerably less expensive to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it will be to buy a power converter. A power converter is significantly heavier and bulkier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable for packing compared to a travel clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

How to use a clothes iron in Principe with a 2 pinned Type C power adapter.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 220 volt power supply; if not then don't continue because you may create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Some dual voltage travel irons usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 220 volts to use in Principe - please refer to the owners manual to find out how to do this.
  2. You'll need to bring a Type C plug adapter [4] if the shape of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the power outlet used in Principe. The plug adapter is designed to fit plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet used in Principe by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Begin by inserting the Type C plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two adjacent holes where the twin pins go.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Prinicipe power outlet. Your iron can now be used in Principe. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Principe using a type C power adapter

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

How to use a clothes iron in Principe with a 2 pinned Type F power adapter.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 220 volt power supply; if it doesn't then don't continue as you may create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Some travel irons will typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure the switch is set to accept 220 volts to use in Principe, please refer to the owners manual for more details on where the switch is found.
  2. You'll need to buy a Type F plug adapter [6] if the shape of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the power outlet which is used in Principe. The plug adapter will help adapt plugs on appliances from other countries for use in an electrical outlet used in Principe by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Start by plugging the Type F plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the two large round adjacent holes for live and neutral and a pair of metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Prinicipe power outlet. Your iron can now be used in Principe. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Principe using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Principe
  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. 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.