Using your clothes iron in French Polynesia

French Polynesian power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can work in French Polynesia:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need a suitable power adapter for French Polynesia however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for the rigors of travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this enables you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 110 volt French Polynesian power outlet, however this is substantially heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter changes the voltage but not the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of power outlet used in French Polynesia, so please check that the power converter comes with the correct power adapter for French Polynesia otherwise you will also need to bring another power adapter. Please be aware that your domestic clothes iron might not be suited for travel and you could risk damage in transit. [9] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 110 volts used in French Polynesia you run the risk of a blown fuse, damage to your clothes iron or even an electrical fire hazard. Prior to using your clothes iron in French Polynesia please check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in French Polynesia

Will my clothes iron work in French Polynesia?

This depends on if your clothes iron can operate using the 110 volts as used in French Polynesia. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron is designed to operate using 110 volts and you have the appropriate power adapter then you can use it in French Polynesia. If not then you will need to consider buying either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2]. Read the section on will a voltage converter work with a domestic clothes iron in French Polynesia for help deciding which option is more suitable. [9] [AD]

French Polynesia power outlets and plug sockets

What mains voltage is used in French Polynesia?

The common residential voltage in French Polynesia is 110 volts.

What is the electrical frequency used in a French Polynesian power outlet?

The frequency of the current in a French Polynesian power outlet is 60 Hz. [10]

Which travel adapter do you need to bring for using a clothes iron in French Polynesia?

Type A, B and E power outlets

Which travel adapter do you need to bring for using a clothes iron in French Polynesia?

There are three types of power outlets used in French Polynesia, these are type E, A and B with the primary power outlets being type E:

  • Plug Type A - You can recognise the wall socket by two slots next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  • Plug Type B - The wall socket, also called a type B power outlet, is identified by the 2 thin slots next to each other where the live and neutral blades go with a single semicircular hole below for the longer grounded pin.
  • Plug Type E - This circular wall outlet (known as a CEE 7/7 plug) can be identified by the two circular adjacent holes where the twin pins go and a long metal grounding pin protruding in the top in a triangle pattern.

A recommended plug adapter to bring when using a 110 volt clothes iron in French Polynesia is a Type E power adapter, read the step by step instructions below for full details of using a clothes iron in French Polynesia. Please note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also have to bring a power converter.  [6] [11] [AD]

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 supports a dual voltage power outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, handle or the base of your clothes iron. This location will depend on the make or model of your clothes iron and should also state in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage clothes irons can change automatically, however other irons will have 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 110 volts used in French Polynesia then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a French Polynesian 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 110 volts used in a French Polynesian power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in French Polynesia.
  • A large voltage range separated with a slash such as 100/240V indicates a dual voltage clothes iron capable of being used in French Polynesia or any other country.

Travelling to French Polynesia with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in carry on hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on carrying a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also suggests that you should verify that the airline which is flying you to French Polynesia 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 recommends wrapping cords tightly around 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 drops and knocks during your journey.   [12] [13] [AD]

Power converters for French Polynesia

Can I use my clothes iron with a voltage converter for French Polynesia?

A voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 110 volt power outlet used in French Polynesia. A power converter is suitable for travellers wishing to use their existing domestic clothes iron, but it could be more expensive to buy a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. Also, a power converter is substantially heavier and bulkier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for travelling. [9] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

A lightweight, small and cheap power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet found in French Polynesia, but a heavy and bulkier power converter converts the voltage of 110 volts from a French Polynesian power outlet to work with a non-110 volt clothes iron. [9] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a type B power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a Type B travel charger.

  1. Please check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 110 volt power supply; but if not then do not attempt these instructions because you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Dual voltage irons sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 110 volts - consult the manufacturers instructions for more information on where this switch is.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet used in French Polynesia you'll need to buy a Type B plug adapter [4]. This Type B plug adapter will fit different plugs on appliances from other countries into an electrical outlet used in French Polynesia 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 110 volt outlet.
  3. Begin the process by taking the Type B plug adapter and inserting it in the French Polynesian power outlet. The wall outlet (known as the Type B power outlet [3]) is identified by two slots for live and neutral blades with a semicircle hole below for the slightly long ground pin.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the French Polynesian power outlet.
  6. The clothes iron can now be switched on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a type B power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a type E power adapter

How to power your clothes iron in French Polynesia by using a two pronged Type E power charger.

  1. Please check that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 110 volt power supply; if not then do not attempt these instructions because you could blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Dual voltage irons sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure the switch is set to accept 110 volts for use in French Polynesia - refer to the manufacturers instructions to find out where this switch is.
  2. If the type of power outlet which is used in French Polynesia won't accomodate the plug on your clothes iron you'll need to bring a Type E plug adapter [6]. The Type E plug adapter helps convert different plugs on appliances from other countries for an electrical outlet found in French Polynesia simply by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 110 volt outlet.
  3. Begin the process by taking the Type E plug adapter and plugging it into the wall outlet. The circular power supply, sometimes called a CEE 7/7 plug, can be identified by the two round adjacent holes for live and neutral along with one long metal earth pin protruding in the top forming a triangle pattern.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the French Polynesian power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on the iron to use in French Polynesia. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a type E power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a type A power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a Type A travel charger.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 110 volt power supply but if not then do not proceed because you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some irons might typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 110 volts, consult the user guide for more information on where the switch is.
  2. This guide assumes that you don't already own a clothes iron with a Type A plug - if it does then you won't need a power adapter (but still check that your clothes iron will work with a 110 volt power supply). If the shape of the power outlet used in French Polynesia doesn't take the plug shape on your clothes iron you will need to use a Type A plug adapter [8]. This plug adapter will adapt plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet found in French Polynesia by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 110 volt supply.
  3. Start by inserting the Type A plug adapter into the French Polynesian power outlet. This plug outlet, sometimes known as a Type A power outlet [7], is identified by the 2 thin slots next to each other where the live and neutral blades go.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the French Polynesian power outlet. The clothes iron can now be used in French Polynesia. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in French Polynesia using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - French Polynesian 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 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 A power outlet
  8. 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..
  9. 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..
  10. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  11. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  12. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for clothes irons -
  13. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.