Which power adapter will I need to bring when using a clothes iron in Eritrea?

Eritrean power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can work in Eritrea:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need an appropriate power adapter for Eritrea 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 an 230 volt Eritrean 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 types of wall outlet used in Eritrea, therefore please check that your voltage transformer has the right power adapter for Eritrea otherwise you will need to purchase another power adapter. Please note that your own personal clothes iron might not be suitable for travelling and you risk potential damage in your luggage. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run a risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Before using your clothes iron in Eritrea please read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Eritrea

Will my clothes iron work in Eritrea?

This depends on if your clothes iron is designed to operate using the 230 volt power outlets in Eritrea:

Will my US clothes iron work in Eritrea?

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

Eritrea power outlets and plug sockets

What frequency is used in an Eritrean power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current from an Eritrean power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

What mains voltage is used in Eritrea?

The typical residential voltage in Eritrea is 230 volts.

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

Type C and L power outlets

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

There are two different types of power outlets used in Eritrea, types L and C with the primary power outlets being type L:

  • Plug Type C - You can identify the wall socket by the two round holes next to each other.
  • Plug Type L - You can recognise the hexagon shaped power outlet by the 3 large holes forming a line for live, neutral and ground pins. There are two different types of Type L wall socket rated at 10 amps and 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm round pins spaced 5.5mm apart, and a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm round pins which are spaced 8mm apart.

A recommended power adapter to bring to use a 230 volt clothes iron in Eritrea is a Type L plug adapter - read the step-by-step guide below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Eritrea with a plug adapter. Please be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to confirm if you also need to bring a power 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 support a dual voltage power outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or the handle. This location will vary depending on the make and model of your clothes iron and should also be written 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 230 volts used in Eritrea then you should be able to use your clothes iron with an Eritrean 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 230 volts used in an Eritrean power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in Eritrea.
  • 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 Eritrea or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Eritrea with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on bringing 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 Eritrea 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 your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Eritrea

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

Voltage converter

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

An expensive and heavy power converter will transform a 230 volt Eritrean power outlet to work with a non-230 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 fit into a power outlet in Eritrea. [7] [AD]

Do you need a converter for Eritrea to use your clothes iron?

The correct power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate using a 230 volt power outlet used in Eritrea. Travellers who want to use their existing clothes iron can use a power converter, but it can be cheaper to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it is to purchase a power converter. In addition, a travel clothes iron can be noticeably lighter than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suitable for travelling. [7] [AD]

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

A guide on how to use your clothes iron in Eritrea 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 230 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 accept 230 volts to use in Eritrea - please refer to the user guide to find out how to do this.
  2. If the shape of the power outlet which is used in Eritrea isn't the same shape as the plug on your clothes iron you will need to use a Type C plug adapter [4]. This plug adapter will adapt plugs on appliances from other countries for use in a power outlet used in Eritrea 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 230 volt outlet.
  3. Begin the process by taking the Type C plug adapter and inserting it in the wall outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the two round holes next to each other.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Eritrean power outlet. Your iron can now be used in Eritrea. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Eritrea using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Eritrea using a type L power adapter

How to power your clothes iron in Eritrea using a three pronged Type L travel charger.

  1. Make sure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet but if not then do not proceed as you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some irons might sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 230 volts for use in Eritrea - consult the manufacturers instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. You will need to use a Type L plug adapter [6] if the type of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the plug outlet which is used in Eritrea. This plug adapter will help adapt plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet found in Eritrea by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Start the process by taking the Type L plug adapter and inserting it in the Eritrean power outlet. This hexagon shaped power supply, technically called the Type L power outlet [5], can be identified by the 3 large circular holes forming a line for live, neutral and earth. You'll find there are two types of Type L wall supply rated at 10 and 16 amps. The 10 amp version has 4mm pins spaced 5.5mm apart whilst a 16 amp version has slightly larger 5mm round pins spaced 8mm apart.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type L plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Eritrean power outlet. You can now turn on your iron for use in Eritrea. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Eritrea using a type L power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Eritrean country Wiki 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 L power outlet
  6. Type L plug adapter - A Type L travel adapter is compatible with Italy's 10A and 16A grounded outlets and can also be used in other countries like Chile and Uruguay which use the Italian standard CEI 23-50..
  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.