How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar

Myanmar power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can work in Myanmar:

  • If your clothes iron can run using 230 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can tell) then you will only need to bring an appropriate power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your clothes iron will not fit.

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need an appropriate power adapter for Myanmar but these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 230 volt Myanmar power outlet, however this is significantly bulkier, 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 types of power outlet used in Myanmar, therefore please check that the voltage transformer has an appropriate power adapter for Myanmar otherwise you will need to bring a seperate power adapter. Please be aware your existing clothes iron might not be suitable for travel and you risk potential damage in your luggage. [11] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle the 230 volts used in Myanmar you run a risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in Myanmar check the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Myanmar

Will my clothes iron work in Myanmar?

It depends on if your clothes iron can operate using the 230 volt power outlets used in Myanmar:

Myanmar power outlets and plug sockets

What voltage is used in Myanmar?

The standard residential voltage in Myanmar is 230 volts.

What electrical frequency is used in Myanmar?

The frequency from a Myanmar power outlet is 50Hz. [12]

Which power adapter will you need to use a clothes iron in Myanmar?

There are four different types of power outlets used in Myanmar, these are type G, C, D and F with the primary power outlets being type G:

  • Plug Type C - This plug socket (called the Europlug) can be recognised by the two adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  • Plug Type D - You can recognise the wall outlet by the 3 round holes forming a triangle shape.
  • Plug Type F - The sunken round plug socket can be recognised by the two 4.8mm adjacent holes for live and neutral pins and a pair of two metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  • Plug Type G - You can recognise the wall socket by the 3 vertical rectangular slots in a triangular shape for live, neutral and ground pins.

A Type G power adapter will allow you to use a 230 volt clothes iron in Myanmar - read the simple instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Myanmar. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also have to use a voltage converter.  [10] [13] [AD]

Which power adapter will you need to use a clothes iron in Myanmar?

Dual voltage travel irons

How can I tell if my clothes iron is dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron will handle dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the base, handle or the plug. This location will vary depending on the make and model of your clothes iron, it could also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons can change automatically, however other irons will feature a switch which allows you to change between different regions depending on which country you are visiting.

  • Single voltage could say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 230 volts used in Myanmar then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Myanmar 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 a Myanmar power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in Myanmar.
  • Dual voltage will typically say a larger voltage range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your clothes iron will be capable of being used in Myanmar or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Myanmar with a clothes iron

Can I carry on a clothes iron to Myanmar in my 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 United States. The TSA recommends that you should verify that your airline which is flying you to Myanmar 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 suggests 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 recommended to use hard carry on luggage as this provides the most protection against drops and knocks during your journey.   [14] [15] [AD]

Power converters for Myanmar

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

The correct type voltage transformer (or power converter) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 230 volt power outlet used in Myanmar. A power converter is suitable for travellers who want to use their own clothes iron, but it could be more expensive to purchase a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. Also, a power converter is noticeably bulkier and heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable when packing in luggage. [11] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

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 found in Myanmar, but a heavy and bulkier power converter converts a 230 volt Myanmar power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron. [11] [AD]

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

How to power a clothes iron in Myanmar using a Type C power adapter.

  1. Make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 230 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then do not proceed because you could blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Travel irons usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 230 volts to use in Myanmar, please refer to the owners manual for more details on where the switch is.
  2. You'll need to bring 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 Myanmar. This plug adapter will adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for an electrical outlet in Myanmar simply by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Begin the process by taking the Type C plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. The wall outlet can be recognised by 2 adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  4. Then plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Myanmar power outlet. The clothes iron can now be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar using a type D power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar with a 3 pinned Type D power charger.

  1. Check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet; but if not then do not continue because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a dual voltage travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure the switch is set to the 230 volt setting; please consult the user guide for more information on how to do this.
  2. If the plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet which is used in Myanmar you will need to bring a Type D plug adapter [6]. This Type D plug adapter helps convert different plugs from other countries into a power outlet in Myanmar 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. Firstly plug in the Type D plug adapter in the power outlet. This plug outlet, sometimes known as the Type D power outlet [5], can be identified by the three holes in a triangular shape for live, neutral and ground pins.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type D plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Myanmar power outlet.
  6. Your clothes iron can now be used in Myanmar. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar using a type D power adapter

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

How to power a clothes iron in Myanmar using a 2 pin Type F power adapter.

  1. Please check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 230 volt power supply but if it doesn't then do not proceed as you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Travel irons typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 230 volts for use in Myanmar - please refer to the owners manual for more details on where the switch is found.
  2. You'll need to bring a Type F plug adapter [8] if the shape of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the power outlet which is used in Myanmar. The plug adapter helps adapt plugs on appliances from other countries into an electrical outlet found in Myanmar simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Start the process by taking the Type F plug adapter and inserting it in the wall outlet. The sunken round plug outlet can be recognised by the two 4.8mm adjacent holes for live and neutral pins and a pair of two metal grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  4. Then plug in your clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Myanmar power outlet. The clothes iron can now be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar using a type F power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar using a type G power adapter

How to power a clothes iron in Myanmar with a 3 pinned Type G power charger.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 230 volt power supply - if it doesn't then don't attempt these instructions as you might damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a travel iron ensure you have set it to accept 230 volts - refer to the user guide to find out where the switch is located.
  2. You will need to buy a Type G plug adapter [10] if the shape of the power outlet used in Myanmar doesn't accomodate the plug shape on your clothes iron. The power adapter is designed to fit plugs from other countries for use in an electrical outlet used in Myanmar simply by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Plug in the Type G plug adapter into the Myanmar power outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the 3 vertical slots forming a triangular configuration.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type G plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Myanmar power outlet. Your clothes iron should now be ready for use in Myanmar. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Myanmar using a type G power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia web page about Myanmar
  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 D power outlet
  6. Type D plug adapter - A BS-546 compliant, Type D electrical adapter featuring a grounded 3-prong plug, widely used in South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka..
  7. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  8. 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..
  9. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  10. Type G plug adapter - An earthed BS 1363 certified UK power adapter, featuring a fuse to protect against overload and consequent fire risks. Ideal for use in over 50 countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, and also in international cities like Dubai and Hong Kong..
  11. 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..
  12. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  13. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  14. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for clothes irons -
  15. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.