Which travel adapter will you need to use a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea?

Equatorial Guinean power outlet

Summary

Check that your clothes iron can handle the voltage in Equatorial Guinea:

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need to use the correct power adapter for Equatorial Guinea however 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 an 220 volt Equatorial Guinean power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but won't change the actual physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of wall outlet used in Equatorial Guinea, therefore check that the power converter has an appropriate power adapter for Equatorial Guinea otherwise you will need to bring another power adapter. Please note that your personal clothes iron might not be suited for travelling and you could risk potential damage in your luggage. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 220 volts used in Equatorial Guinea you run the potential risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea please check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea

Will my clothes iron work in Equatorial Guinea?

This will depend on if your clothes iron is designed to handle the 220 volt power outlets in Equatorial Guinea:

Will my US clothes iron work in Equatorial Guinea?

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

Equatorial Guinea power outlets and plug sockets

What is the frequency used in Equatorial Guinea?

The frequency from an Equatorial Guinean power outlet is 50 Hz. [8]

What is the mains voltage in Equatorial Guinea?

The typical voltage in Equatorial Guinea is 220 volts.

Which travel adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea?

Type C and E power outlets

Which travel adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea?

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

  • Plug Type C - This unearthed wall outlet (called a Europlug) is recognised by 2 adjacent holes.
  • Plug Type E - This recessed circular plug outlet can be recognised by the two large round holes 19mm apart from each other for live and neutral and a long metal grounding pin protruding in the top forming a triangular pattern.

A Type E power adapter is suitable for powering a 220 volt clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea - read the step by step guide below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to confirm if you have to use a power converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Buy a plug adapter for Equatorial Guinea

Dual voltage travel irons

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

A simple way to tell if your clothes iron will handle a dual voltage outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or handle of your clothes iron. This location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron, it should also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons will change automatically but other models will have a switch which allows you to change between different voltages.

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

Travelling to Equatorial Guinea with a clothes iron

Can I bring a clothes iron in my carry on luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA also recommends that you should check that your airline which is flying you to Equatorial Guinea 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 suggests wrapping cords tightly around electric items such as clothes irons. If you do 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 offers the most protection against knocks and drops during your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Equatorial Guinea

Do you need a voltage converter to use your clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea?

A power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 220 volt power outlet used in Equatorial Guinea. A power converter is suitable for travellers wishing to use their own clothes iron, but it can be considerably cheaper to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it is to buy a power converter. In addition, a travel clothes iron can be substantially lighter and smaller than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suitable when travelling. [7] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

A small, cheap and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet in Equatorial Guinea, whereas a heavier and more expensive power converter will convert a 220 volt Equatorial Guinean power outlet to work with a non-220 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

Instructions on how to power a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea with a two pinned Type C power charger.

  1. Make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible 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. Some irons sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure you have set it to the 220 volt setting for use in Equatorial Guinea, please consult the instructions for more details on how to do this.
  2. You will need to bring a Type C plug adapter [4] if the type of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same type of power outlet used in Equatorial Guinea. This Type C plug adapter is designed to fit plugs on appliances from other countries for a power outlet found in Equatorial Guinea 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. Begin by taking the Type C plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. This plug outlet can be identified by the two circular holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Equatorial Guinean power outlet.
  6. Your iron can now be used in Equatorial Guinea. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea using a type C power adapter

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

A step-by-step guide showing how to power your clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea with a Type E power adapter.

  1. Make sure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 220 volt power outlet - but if not then don't proceed as you could create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a dual voltage travel iron ensure the switch is set to accept 220 volts, refer to the owners manual to find out where this switch is located.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet which is used in Equatorial Guinea you'll need to bring a Type E plug adapter [6]. The plug adapter will fit different plugs from other countries into an electrical outlet in Equatorial Guinea simply 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 supply.
  3. Insert the Type E plug adapter in the Equatorial Guinean power outlet. The recessed round wall supply, sometimes known as the CEE 7/7 outlet or Type E power outlet [5], can be recognised by two adjacent holes plus a single long metal earth pin protruding the top to form a triangular configuration.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Equatorial Guinean power outlet. The iron should now be ready for use in Equatorial Guinea. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Equatorial Guinea using a type E power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org page about Equatorial Guinea
  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.