Which plug adapter will I need when using hair straighteners in Andorra?

Andorran power outlet

Will my hair straighteners work in Andorra?

First check that your hair straighteners can work in Andorra:

If not then you can either:

Buy travel hair straighteners for Andorra
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - you can then use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with an 230 volt Andorran power outlet, however this is considerably bulkier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A voltage transformer will change the voltage but won't change the physical shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the wall outlet used in Andorra, so check that your voltage transformer comes with an appropriate power adapter for Andorra otherwise you will need to purchase another power adapter. Please be aware your own personal hair straighteners might not be suitable for travel and you risk potential damage in transit. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 230 volts you run the potential risk of damage to your hair straighteners, an electrical fire hazard or a blown fuse. Prior to using your hair straighteners in Andorra check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Andorra

Will my hair straighteners work in Andorra?

That will depend on if your hair straighteners can handle the 230 volts used in Andorra. If you're using either dual voltage hair straighteners or your hair straighteners can handle 230 volts and you have the correct plug adapter then you'll be able to use your hair straighteners in Andorra. If not then you will need to consider bringing either a power converter or dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2], read our guide on can you use a power converter with your domestic hair straighteners in Andorra for help deciding which option is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Andorra power outlets and plug sockets

What frequency is used in an Andorran power outlet?

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

What is the mains voltage in Andorra?

Power outlets in Andorra are 230 volts.

Which power adapter will you need when using hair straighteners in Andorra?

Type C and F power outlets

Which power adapter will you need when using hair straighteners in Andorra?

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

  • Plug Type C - You can identify the power outlet by the two round holes next to each other.
  • Plug Type F - This recessed round power socket (also called the type F power outlet or Schuko plug) can be recognised by two 4.8mm 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 230 volt hair straighteners in Andorra; read the step by step instructions below for full details of how to use hair straighteners in Andorra. Be aware that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you will need to confirm if you also need to use a power converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Buy a plug adapter for Andorra

Dual voltage hair straighteners

How can I tell if my hair straighteners are dual voltage?

Dual voltage hair straighteners

How can I tell if my hair straighteners are dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your hair straighteners will accept a dual voltage power outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle or the plug of your hair straighteners. The location will depend on the make or model of your hair straighteners, it could also state on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage hair straighteners might change automatically but other models will have a button or switch which allows you to toggle between different regions.

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

Travelling to Andorra with hair straighteners

Can I carry on hair straighteners to Andorra?

Travel hair straighteners with heat protective cap

Can I carry on hair straighteners to Andorra?

According to the TSA guidelines for hair straighteners there is no restriction on bringing mains powered hair straighteners in your carry on luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also recommends that you should check that the airline which is taking you to Andorra will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aircraft. Packing your hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible by airport security, they can be packed away quickly and should avoid a tangle of power cords in your carry on luggage (the TSA recommends wrapping cables tightly around hair straighteners). If you do intend to pack fragile or expensive hair straighteners in your hand held luggage then it is advisable to use hard carry on luggage as this offers the greatest protection against knocks and bumps during your journey.    [2] [10] [11] [12] [AD]

Should you bring your travel hair straighteners or domestic hair straighteners to Andorra?

It is preferable to packing dual voltage travel hair straighteners rather than packing your existing domestic hair straighteners to Andorra as it ensures that they'll work with the 230 volt power outlets used with an Andorran power outlet, provided that you bring the correct power adapter for Andorra.

Please be aware that packing expensive domestic hair straighteners might put them at risk because of potential damage or loss in transit by airline baggage handlers. The cost involved in replacing or repairing expensive quality domestic hair straighteners in Andorra could outweigh the cost of purchasing much cheaper dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] before setting off. If you intend to pack your own hair straighteners in your luggage either slide them inside a sneaker or boot to protect from light knocks, alternatively use a heat resistant and shockproof hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which will also allow the hair straighteners to be packed right after use without waiting to cool down.   [11] [13] [AD]

Power converters for Andorra

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

Voltage converter

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

A lightweight, cheap and small power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to slot into a power outlet in Andorra, but a heavy and bulkier power converter converts the voltage of 230 volts from an Andorran power outlet to work with non-230 volt hair straighteners. [7] [AD]

Can I use my hair straighteners with a voltage converter for Andorra?

A suitable power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your hair straighteners using a different voltage to work using a 230 volt power outlet used in Andorra. A power converter is suitable for travellers wishing to use their existing domestic hair straighteners, however it can be more expensive to buy a power converter than it is to purchase dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2]. In addition, travel hair straighteners can be considerably smaller than a power converter making travel hair straighteners more suitable for packing in luggage. [7] [AD]

Hair straightener safety

Are hair straighteners dangerous?

The temperature of the ceramic plates used in hair straighteners can reach over 200 degrees with the potential to burn hair, skin, and even start a fire if not used correctly. According to figures from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service electrical beauty products have been responsible for an estimated 650,000 fires in the United Kingdom alone.

How can I minimise risk using hair straighteners?

A heat resistant glove

How can I minimise risk using hair straighteners?

  • Skin protection: Wear heat resistant gloves during styling to protect hands from heat.
  • Children's protection: With 10% of children's burns being caused by hair straighteners it is recommended to look for flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag to keep the plates closed shut when not in use, making it easier to store out of reach of children.
  • Luggage protection: Placing hair straighteners directly into luggage without allowing them to cool down can risk damage to clothes and heating up combustible or flammable packed items. If your hair straighteners weren't supplied with a heat protective cap then wrap them in a heat resistant mat or use a hot tools travel case to pack them into luggage whilst warm. A travel case will also keep expensive hair straighteners protected from damage during transit.
  • Hair protection: Applying a heat protectant spray prior to using hair straighteners is essential to prevent burning, as well as using the correct technique for your hair type - read our guide on how to use hair straighteners for comprehensive information.
  • Fire protection: It can take up to 40 minutes for hair straighteners to cool down so resting your straighteners on a heat resistant mat could reduce the risk of setting fire to furniture. Forgetting to turn off hot domestic appliances can also cause fires. This risk can be reduced by using a model of straightener with a timer socket which will turn itself off automatically after a certain length of time, you can also add this feature to any basic straighteners by using a timer socket in a power outlet.    [11] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [AD]
How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

Energy saving outlet with timer

How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

1 in 12 owners of hair straighteners admit to forgetting to turn them off after use, unless your hair straighteners have a built in automatic timer then leaving them on could potentially start a fire. However you can add this functionality to any model even if it doesn't have an integrated timer:

  1. Add an automatic timer to any hair straighteners by plugging them into a timer socket then plugging the timer into a power outlet.
  2. Turn on the timer and use the hair straighteners as normal.
  3. After you have finishing using the hair straighteners turn off the power at the outlet.
  4. However if you forget to turn the power outlet off then the timer will automatically switch off the straighteners after a pre-set length of time. Depending on the model of timer this could be 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes - ideally pick the shortest length of time possible.
  5. For added peace of mind use a power outlet splitter to share the outlet from the timer with both your hair straighteners and a lamp. When the timer is running both the straighteners and the lamp will be turned on, making the lamp a clear indicator that the straighteners are still being heated. When leaving a room it is second nature to ensure all lights are turned off, if the lamp is still on then this acts as a reminder to switch off the straighteners.
  [16] [18] [AD]

How to treat a hot iron burn

If you accidentally burn yourself run cold water under your burn and if it is severe it is advised to seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital.

How to use hair straighteners in Andorra using a type C power adapter

A guide on how to use hair straighteners in Andorra with a Type C travel adapter.

  1. Please check that the hair straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then don't attempt these instructions as you may create an electrical fire hazard, damage your hair straighteners or blow a fuse. Travel straighteners sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating your hair straighteners ensure you have set it to the 230 volt setting; please consult the owners manual for more details on how to do this.
  2. If the plug on your hair straighteners isn't the same shape as the outlet which is used in Andorra you will need to buy a Type C plug adapter [4]. The Type C plug adapter will fit different plugs on appliances from other countries into an electrical outlet used in Andorra by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your hair straighteners to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Plug the Type C plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  4. Then plug in your hair straighteners into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Andorran power outlet.
  6. The straighteners should now be ready to use. [AD]
How to use hair straighteners in Andorra using a type C power adapter

How to use hair straighteners in Andorra using a type F power adapter

Instructions showing how to use hair straighteners in Andorra with a Type F travel charger.

  1. Please check that your hair straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then don't attempt these instructions as you may create an electrical fire hazard, damage your hair straighteners or blow a fuse. Before using a travel hair straighteners ensure you have set it to the 230 volt setting; please refer to the owners manual to find out how to do this.
  2. If the plug on your hair straighteners isn't the same type of outlet which is used in Andorra you will need to use a Type F plug adapter [6]. This Type F plug adapter will adapt plugs on appliances from other countries for use in a power outlet used in Andorra by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your hair straighteners to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Firstly 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 the two circular holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral along with two grounding clips at the top and bottom.
  4. Plug in your hair straighteners into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Andorran power outlet.
  6. The straighteners should now be ready to use. [AD]
How to use hair straighteners in Andorra using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org entry about Andorra
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel hair straighteners
  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 hair straighteners -
  11. Hard case for hot tools - Hard case designed for storing and protecting a flat irons, curling irons and hair straighteners.
  12. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.
  13. Heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons - Protects surfaces from hot hair irons and wraps around the appliance allowing instant packing into baggage.
  14. Heat resistant gloves for hair styling - Heat resistant glove recommended to protect skin against the risk of heat from a curling iron, flat iron or hair dryer.
  15. Heat protectant spray - Thermal protector spray used prior to styling with heated tools such as blow dryers and flat irons.
  16. Energy saving outlet with timer - Automatic power shut down of a connected appliance after a preset length of time.
  17. Flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag - Example of hair straighteners with a protective bag suitable for travel.
  18. Power outlet splitter - A power outlet splitter transforms a single wall outlet into multiple AC outlets which is a practical solution for using multiple appliances in locations with limited access to power outlets, such as hotels or airports..