How do I use my clothes iron in The Sudan?

Sudanese power outlet

Summary

First check your clothes iron can work in The Sudan:

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

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need a suitable power adapter for The Sudan however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for the rigors of 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 Sudanese power outlet, however this is substantially heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer will change the voltage but won't change the actual physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the wall outlet used in The Sudan, therefore please check that the voltage transformer has a power adapter for The Sudan otherwise you will also 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 potential damage in a suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run the potential risk of a blown fuse, damage to your clothes iron or even an electrical fire hazard. Prior to using your clothes iron in The Sudan please read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in The Sudan

Will my clothes iron work in The Sudan?

This depends on if your clothes iron can handle the 230 volts used in The Sudan. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron can handle 230 volts and you have the correct power adapter then you should be able to use the clothes iron in The Sudan. If not then you will need to consider bringing either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2]. Read the section on can you use a voltage converter to use a domestic clothes iron in The Sudan for help deciding which option is more suitable. [7] [AD]

The Sudan power outlets and plug sockets

What mains voltage is used in The Sudan?

The standard voltage used in The Sudan is 230 volts.

What is the electrical frequency used in a Sudanese power outlet?

The frequency of the current from a Sudanese power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

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

Type C and D power outlets

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

There are two types of power outlets used in The Sudan, types D and C with the primary power outlets being type D:

  • Plug Type C - This ungrounded plug outlet is recognised by 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  • Plug Type D - You can identify the power outlet by the three holes forming a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.

A Type D power adapter will allow you to use a 230 volt clothes iron in The Sudan; read the simple instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in The Sudan with a plug adapter. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to check if you have to bring a power converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

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

The method to tell if your clothes iron supports dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or the handle of your clothes iron. The location will depend 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 models will change automatically, however other models will feature a button which allows you to operate between different voltages depending on which country you are in.

  • A specific number such as 110V indicates a single voltage clothes iron. If this number matches the 230 volts used in The Sudan then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Sudanese 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 230 volts used in a Sudanese power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in The Sudan.
  • A larger voltage range separated with a slash such as 100/240V indicates a dual voltage clothes iron capable of being used in The Sudan or any other country.

Travelling to The Sudan with a clothes iron

Can you carry on a clothes iron to The Sudan?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on carrying 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 taking you to The Sudan 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 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 provides the most protection against knocks and drops during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for The Sudan

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

Voltage converter

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

A heavy and expensive power converter converts the voltage of 230 volts from a Sudanese power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron, whereas a cheaper and smaller power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet found in The Sudan. [7] [AD]

Do you need a power converter in The Sudan to use your clothes iron?

A suitable power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 230 volt power outlet used in The Sudan. A power converter is more suited for travellers wishing to bring their own clothes iron, but it could be a lot less expensive to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it is to purchase a power converter. Also, a travel clothes iron can be substantially lighter than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suited for travelling. [7] [AD]

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

How to power your clothes iron in The Sudan by using a Type C power adapter.

  1. Ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet - if not then don't continue because you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a dual voltage travel iron make sure the switch is set to the 230 volt setting to use in The Sudan - consult the user guide for more information on how to do this.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet which is used in The Sudan you will need to use a Type C plug adapter [4]. This plug adapter helps adapt plugs from other countries into a power outlet in The Sudan simply by changing the shape of the plug, but 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 plugging the Type C plug adapter in the Sudanese power outlet. The power supply is identified by 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Sudanese power outlet.
  6. You can now switch on the iron to use in The Sudan. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Sudan using a type C power adapter

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

How to power your clothes iron in The Sudan with a Type D travel charger.

  1. Check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 230 volt power supply; if not then do not proceed as you might damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Dual voltage irons typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron make sure the switch is set to accept 230 volts, consult the owners manual to find out how to do this.
  2. You'll need to bring a Type D plug adapter [6] if the shape of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same type of plug outlet which is used in The Sudan. The plug adapter is designed to convert different plugs on appliances from other countries for an electrical outlet used in The Sudan 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 supply.
  3. Start by plugging the Type D plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the 3 round holes in a triangular configuration.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type D plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Sudanese power outlet. You can now switch on the iron to use in The Sudan. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Sudan using a type D power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - The Sudan 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 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. 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.