Using a clothes iron in El Salvador

Salvadoranf power outlet

Summary

Check your clothes iron can handle the voltage in El Salvador:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need to use the correct power adapter for El Salvador however 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 115 volt Salvadoranf power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but won't change the actual physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of power outlet used in El Salvador, therefore check that your power converter has the right power adapter for El Salvador otherwise you will need to bring a seperate power adapter. Also worth noting that your existing clothes iron might not be suitable for travelling and you could risk damage in a suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle the 115 volts used in El Salvador you run the risk of an electrical fire hazard, blowing a fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in El Salvador read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in El Salvador

Will my clothes iron work in El Salvador?

That will depend on if your clothes iron can operate using the 115 volts which are used in El Salvador. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron can operate using 115 volts and you have the correct power adapter then you'll be able to use it in El Salvador. If not then you will need to consider buying either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2], read our section on will a voltage converter work with a domestic clothes iron in El Salvador for help deciding which option is more suitable. [7] [AD]

El Salvador power outlets and plug sockets

What is the voltage in El Salvador?

Power outlets in El Salvador are 115 volts.

What is the frequency used with a Salvadoranf power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current from a Salvadoranf power outlet is 60Hz. [8]

Which power adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in El Salvador?

Type A and B power outlets

Which power adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in El Salvador?

There are two different types of power outlets used in El Salvador, these are type B and A with the primary power outlets being type B:

  • Plug Type A - This unearthed wall outlet (also called the type A power outlet) can be recognised by the two slots next to each other.
  • Plug Type B - You can identify the plug socket by 2 thin slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral blades with a single hole below for the slightly longer ground pin.

A recommended travel adapter to bring for using a 115 volt clothes iron in El Salvador is a Type B power adapter; read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in El Salvador. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also need to bring a power converter.  [4] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron supports a dual voltage outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or handle of the clothes iron. This location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron, it should also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage models will change automatically but other irons will have a switch which allows you to change between different voltages.

  • Single voltage could say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 115 volts used in El Salvador then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Salvadoranf 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 115 volts used in a Salvadoranf power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in El Salvador.
  • Dual voltage will say a larger range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your clothes iron will be capable of being used in El Salvador or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to El Salvador with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in my carry on hand luggage to El Salvador?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA also recommends that you should check that your airline which is taking you to El Salvador will allow a clothes iron onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aircraft. The TSA also suggests wrapping cords tightly around electric items such as clothes irons. If you do 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 offers the most protection against knocks and drops during your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for El Salvador

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

The correct model of voltage transformer (or power converter) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate with the 115 volt power outlet used in El Salvador. Travellers who want to bring along their existing domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, however it might be less expensive to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it will be to purchase a power converter. Also, a power converter is significantly heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing in luggage. [7] [AD]

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?

An expensive and heavy power converter converts a 115 volt Salvadoranf power outlet to work with a non-115 volt clothes iron, however a smaller and more lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in El Salvador. [7] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in El Salvador using a type B power adapter

How to use your clothes iron in El Salvador by using a 3 prong Type B travel adapter.

  1. Please ensure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 115 volt power outlet; but if it doesn't then do not proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Some irons might usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to the 115 volt setting - refer to the user guide to find out where this switch is located.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet which is used in El Salvador you will need to bring a Type B plug adapter [4]. This power adapter will help adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for use with a power outlet used in El Salvador simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 115 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type B plug adapter into the power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the short twin blades sit with a single hole below for the longer earth pin.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Salvadoranf power outlet. The iron should now be ready for use in El Salvador. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in El Salvador using a type B power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in El Salvador using a type A power adapter

A step by step guide showing you how to power your clothes iron in El Salvador with a Type A power adapter.

  1. Please make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 115 volt power outlet; but if it doesn't then don't proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a dual voltage travel iron ensure the switch is set to the 115 volt setting, refer to the owners manual to find out where this switch is located.
  2. This guide assumes that you're not already using a clothes iron with a Type A plug - if it does then you won't need a power adapter (but you will still need to check that your clothes iron will work with a 115 volt power supply). If the type of power outlet which is used in El Salvador doesn't take the plug on your clothes iron you'll need to use a Type A plug adapter [6]. This power adapter is designed to adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for use with a power outlet used in El Salvador simply by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 115 volt outlet.
  3. Start by taking the Type A plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the short twin blades sit.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Salvadoranf power outlet.
  6. Your iron can now be used in El Salvador. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in El Salvador using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - El Salvador country entry on Wikipedia.org
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel iron
  3. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  4. Type B plug adapter - A Type B adapter, rated at 15 A and 125 V, featuring two parallel flat blades and a longer grounding pin, in compliance with NEMA 5-15 specifications. Suitable for travel to the US plug types and Canadian plugs..
  5. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  6. Type A plug adapter - A two-blade, ungrounded electrical plug adapter for US plug types, Canadian power outlets, Thailand sockets, Mexico plug types, and select Asian power outlets..
  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.