Which plug adapter will you need when using a clothes iron in Cape Verde?

Cape Verdean power outlet

Summary

First check your clothes iron can work in Cape Verde:

  • If your clothes iron can run using 220 volts or can support dual voltage (how to check) then you'll only need to use a suitable power adapter listed below 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 the right power adapter for Cape Verde however 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 a 220 volt Cape Verdean power outlet, however this is noticeably heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer will change the voltage but not the physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the power outlet used in Cape Verde, so check that your power converter includes a suitable power adapter for Cape Verde otherwise you will still need to bring 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. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle the 220 volts used in Cape Verde you run a risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Before using your clothes iron in Cape Verde please read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Cape Verde

Will my clothes iron work in Cape Verde?

That will depend on if your clothes iron can handle the 220 volts used in Cape Verde:

Cape Verde power outlets and plug sockets

What is the mains voltage in Cape Verde?

Power outlets in Cape Verde are 220 volts.

What frequency is used in a Cape Verdean power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current in a Cape Verdean power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

Which power adapter will you need for using a clothes iron in Cape Verde?

Type C and F power outlets

Which power adapter will you need for using a clothes iron in Cape Verde?

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

  • Plug Type C - This ungrounded power socket (known as a Europlug) is identified by the 2 round adjacent holes where the live and neutral pins go.
  • Plug Type F - The circular plug outlet, technically known as a Schuko plug, can be identified by the two round adjacent holes where the live and neutral pins slide into, plus thin grounding clips above and below.

A Type F power adapter allows you to use a 220 volt clothes iron in Cape Verde, read the step by step instructions below for full details of how to use a travel adapter for Cape Verde. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also have to bring a power converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

One method to tell if your clothes iron supports dual voltage is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle, base or plug of the clothes iron. The location might vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron, it could also be written on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons might change automatically but other models will have a button or switch which allows you to change between different regions.

  • Single voltage could say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 220 volts used in Cape Verde then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Cape Verdean 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 Cape Verdean power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in Cape Verde.
  • 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 Cape Verde or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Cape Verde with a clothes iron

Can you bring a clothes iron in your hand luggage?

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 recommends that you should verify that your airline who is flying you to Cape Verde will allow clothes irons 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 do intend to bring a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to use hard carry on luggage as this offers the most protection against knocks and drops during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Cape Verde

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

The correct type power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to operate using a 220 volt power outlet used in Cape Verde. Travellers wishing to use their existing domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, but it could be considerably less expensive to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it will be to buy a power converter. Also worth noting, a power converter is considerably bulkier and heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing. [7] [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?

A lightweight, cheap and small power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in Cape Verde, but a heavy and bulkier power converter converts the voltage of 220 volts from a Cape Verdean power outlet to work with a non-220 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

A guide on how to use a clothes iron in Cape Verde with a Type C power adapter.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 220 volt power supply but if not then do not proceed as you might damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some travel irons might typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure you have set it to accept 220 volts; consult the user guide for more information on where the switch is found.
  2. You will need to use a Type C plug adapter [4] if the shape of the power outlet which is used in Cape Verde isn't the same shape as the plug on your clothes iron. This plug adapter will help adapt plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet in Cape Verde by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 220 volt supply.
  3. Firstly insert the Type C plug adapter into the power outlet. You can identify the wall outlet by the two round holes next to each other.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Cape Verdean power outlet. The iron should now be ready to use. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Cape Verde using a type C power adapter

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

A guide showing how to use your clothes iron in Cape Verde with a Type F power adapter.

  1. Make sure that your 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 proceed as you might blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Some travel irons will usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron ensure you have set it to the 220 volt setting; please consult the owners manual for more details on how to do this.
  2. You will need to buy a Type F 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 Cape Verde. The plug adapter is designed to fit plugs from other countries into a power outlet in Cape Verde simply by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 220 volt supply.
  3. First insert the Type F plug adapter in the power outlet. The sunken round plug supply, also known as a Schuko plug, can be identified by two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral along with a pair of thin grounding clips above and below.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Cape Verdean power outlet.
  6. The clothes iron can now be used in Cape Verde. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Cape Verde using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia entry about Cape Verde
  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.