How do I use my clothes iron in The Grenadines?

Grenadines power outlet

Summary

Check that your clothes iron can work in The Grenadines:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need a suitable power adapter for The Grenadines 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 a 230 volt Grenadines power outlet, however this is significantly bulkier, heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter will change the voltage but won't change the physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the power outlet used in The Grenadines, so please check that the power converter has a power adapter for The Grenadines otherwise you will still need to purchase another power adapter. Also worth noting that your own existing clothes iron might not be suited for travelling and you could risk damage in transit. [11] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run the potential risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Before using your clothes iron in The Grenadines please read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in The Grenadines

Will my clothes iron work in The Grenadines?

This will depend on if your clothes iron is designed to operate using the 230 volt power outlets used in The Grenadines:

The Grenadines power outlets and plug sockets

What is the voltage in The Grenadines?

Power outlets in The Grenadines are 230 volts.

What frequency is used in The Grenadines?

The frequency of the current used in a Grenadines power outlet is 50 Hz. [12]

Which travel adapter will you need for using a clothes iron in The Grenadines?

There are five different types of power outlets used in The Grenadines, types G, C, E, I and K with the primary power outlets being type G:

  • Plug Type C - You can recognise the wall socket by the two circular holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  • Plug Type E - You can recognise this power socket by two large round holes 19mm apart from each other for live and neutral pins with a single metal grounding pin protruding in the top forming a triangle pattern.
  • Plug Type G - The wall socket (also known as a type G power outlet) can be identified by the 3 rectangular slots containing plastic shutters in a triangular pattern for live, neutral and ground.
  • Plug Type I - This wall socket (technically known as a type I power outlet) can be recognised by the 3 thin slots forming an upside-down triangle pattern with the top pair of slots sloping upward for the live, neutral and earth.
  • Plug Type K - The wall outlet, technically called a type K power outlet, can be identified by the 3 holes forming an upside-down triangle shape with the bottom hole being in a semicircle shape.

A suitable power adapter to bring when using a 230 volt clothes iron in The Grenadines is a Type G power adapter, read the step by step guide below for full details of using a clothes iron in The Grenadines. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also need to bring a power converter.  [8] [13] [AD]

Which travel adapter will you need for using a clothes iron in The Grenadines?

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 can accept dual voltage is to check 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 might change automatically, however other irons will have a button which allows you to toggle between different voltage ranges.

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

Travelling to The Grenadines with a clothes iron

Can I carry on a clothes iron 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 that is flying you to The Grenadines will allow clothes irons onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane. The TSA also recommends wrapping cables 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 most protection against bumps and knocks during transit.   [14] [15] [AD]

Power converters for The Grenadines

Can I use a clothes iron with a power converter for The Grenadines?

A suitable power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate using a 230 volt power outlet used in The Grenadines. Travellers wishing to use their existing domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, but it can be more costly to purchase a power converter than it is to purchase 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 plug adapter?

Voltage converter

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

An expensive and bulky power converter will transform a 230 volt Grenadines power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron, however a smaller and more lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet found in The Grenadines. [11] [AD]

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

How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines with a 2 prong Type C power charger.

  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 don't proceed 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 the 230 volt setting, consult the manufacturers instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. You'll need to buy 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 The Grenadines. This plug adapter will adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for an electrical outlet found in The Grenadines simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Insert the Type C plug adapter into the Grenadines power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by two adjacent holes for live and neutral pins.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Grenadines power outlet. You can now turn on your iron for use in The Grenadines. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines using a type E power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines with a 2 pinned Type E 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 attempt these instructions because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Some dual voltage 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 The Grenadines, please refer to the owners manual for more details on where the switch is found.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet used in The Grenadines you'll need to use a Type E plug adapter [6]. This Type E plug adapter will help convert different plugs from other countries into a power outlet found in The Grenadines 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 inserting the Type E plug adapter into the wall outlet. The sunken round power outlet (known as the Type E power outlet [5] or CEE 7/7 plug) can be recognised by two round adjacent holes next to each other and one long metal earth pin protruding from the top forming a triangular configuration.
  4. Then plug in your clothes iron into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Grenadines power outlet.
  6. Your clothes iron is now ready to be used in The Grenadines. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines using a type E power adapter

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

How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines with a 3 pin Type G power adapter.

  1. Check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 230 volt power outlet but if not 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 for use in The Grenadines - refer to the user guide to find out where the switch is located.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet used in The Grenadines you'll need to buy a Type G plug adapter [8]. This Type G plug adapter helps convert different plugs from other countries for a power outlet in The Grenadines simply 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. Begin the process by taking the Type G plug adapter and plugging it into the wall outlet. You can recognise this wall outlet by the three vertical slots forming a triangle configuration.
  4. Then plug in your clothes iron into the Type G plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Grenadines power outlet.
  6. Your clothes iron should now be ready to be used in The Grenadines. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines using a type G power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines using a type K power adapter

Instructions showing how to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines with a 2 prong Type K power charger.

  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 as you could 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 manufacturers instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. You'll need to use a Type K plug adapter [10] if the shape of the power outlet which is used in The Grenadines isn't the same shape as the plug shape of your clothes iron. This Type K plug adapter will fit different plugs on appliances from other countries for an electrical outlet in The Grenadines 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 by inserting the Type K plug adapter into the Grenadines power outlet. You can recognise this power outlet by three holes in a triangular configuration for the live, neutral and earth.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type K plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Grenadines power outlet. The clothes iron can now be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Grenadines using a type K power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia page about The Grenadines
  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 E power outlet
  6. Type E plug adapter - A CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug compliant Type E adapter designed with a focus on safety, featuring two round pins and an earthing hole. Ideal for use in the France, Belgium, Poland and several African nations..
  7. iec.ch - Type G power outlet
  8. 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..
  9. iec.ch - Type K power outlet
  10. Type K plug adapter - A Type K travel adapter enables you to power your foreign devices through Denmark's grounded, 3-pin outlets, compliant with the Danish Plug Equipment Section 107-2-D1 Standard..
  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.