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

Egyptian power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can work in Egypt:

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need to use a power adapter for Egypt but these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for the rigors of travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - you can then use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with an 220 volt Egyptian power outlet, however this is noticeably heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but not the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of power outlet used in Egypt, therefore please check that the voltage transformer has the correct power adapter for Egypt otherwise you will need to purchase another power adapter. Also worth noting that your own existing clothes iron might not be suited for travelling and you could risk damage in your suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 220 volts used in Egypt you run the potential risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or a blown fuse. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in Egypt check the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Egypt

Will my clothes iron work in Egypt?

It depends on if your clothes iron can handle the 220 volts as used in Egypt. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron is designed to operate using 220 volts and you have the appropriate power adapter then you can use the clothes iron in Egypt. If not then you will need to consider bringing either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2], read our guide on do you need a voltage converter to use your clothes iron for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Can I use my US clothes iron in Egypt?

The guides on this page assume that you're a reader from America travelling to Egypt and will provide guidance for using your American clothes iron with an Egyptian power outlet.

Egypt power outlets and plug sockets

What voltage is used in Egypt?

The standard voltage in Egypt is 220 volts.

What frequency is used in Egypt?

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

Which plug adapter will you need to bring to use a clothes iron in Egypt?

Type C and F power outlets

Which plug adapter will you need to bring to use a clothes iron in Egypt?

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

  • Plug Type C - You can recognise this power socket by two round adjacent holes where the twin pins go.
  • Plug Type F - You can recognise this wall socket by two large round adjacent holes where the twin pins go, plus a pair of thin metal grounding clips above and below.

A Type F plug adapter is suitable for powering a 220 volt clothes iron in Egypt - read the simple instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Egypt. Note 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]

Plug adapters for Egypt

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

The method to tell if your clothes iron will support a dual voltage power outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or the handle. The location might vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron, it could also state in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage clothes irons can change automatically, however other irons will feature a button which allows you to toggle between different voltage ranges.

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

Travelling to Egypt with a clothes iron

Can you bring a clothes iron in your carry on luggage to Egypt?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there are no restrictions when bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA suggests that you should verify that the airline which is flying you to Egypt 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 recommends wrapping cables 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.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Egypt

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

Voltage converter

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

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

Can I use my clothes iron with a power converter for Egypt?

A suitable power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate using a 220 volt power outlet used in Egypt. A power converter is more suited for travellers who wish to bring along 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 Egypt using a type C power adapter

Instructions showing how to use your clothes iron in Egypt with a two prong Type C power charger.

  1. Check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 220 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then do not proceed as you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a travel iron make sure you have set it to the 220 volt setting; please consult the user guide for more information on where the switch is.
  2. You'll need to buy a Type C plug adapter [4] if the shape of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the power outlet which is used in Egypt. The plug adapter will help adapt plugs on appliances from other countries for use in an electrical outlet used in Egypt 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. Begin by inserting the Type C plug adapter into the Egyptian power outlet. This ungrounded power outlet, also known as the Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug, can be identified by the 2 holes adjacent to each other.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Egyptian power outlet.
  6. Your iron is now ready for use in Egypt. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Egypt using a type C power adapter

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

How to use a clothes iron in Egypt with a Type F power adapter.

  1. Ensure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 220 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then don't proceed as you might damage your iron, blow a fuse 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 Egypt; please refer to the owners manual for more information on where the switch is found.
  2. You'll need to buy a Type F plug adapter [6] if the shape of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the power outlet used in Egypt. The plug adapter is designed to fit plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet found in Egypt by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 220 volt outlet.
  3. Begin by inserting the Type F plug adapter into the Egyptian power outlet. This circular power supply can be recognised by the two round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the twin plug outlet pins sit along with two grounding clips above and below.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Egyptian power outlet.
  6. The clothes iron can now be used in Egypt. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Egypt using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Egypt 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. 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.