Which power adapter will I need to bring when using a clothes iron in Faroe Islands?

Faroese power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can work in Faroe Islands:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need an appropriate power adapter for Faroe Islands 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 Faroese power outlet, however this is noticeably bulkier, heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter changes the voltage but won't change the actual shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of wall outlet used in Faroe Islands, therefore please check that your voltage transformer has the right power adapter for Faroe Islands otherwise you will need to purchase another power adapter. Please note that your own personal clothes iron might not be suitable for travelling and you risk potential damage in your luggage. [10] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run a risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Before using your clothes iron in Faroe Islands please read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Faroe Islands

Will my clothes iron work in Faroe Islands?

This depends on if your clothes iron is designed to operate using the 230 volt power outlets in Faroe Islands:

Faroe Islands power outlets and plug sockets

What mains voltage is used in Faroe Islands?

The typical residential voltage in Faroe Islands is 230 volts.

What frequency is used in a Faroese power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current from a Faroese power outlet is 50Hz. [11]

Which travel adapter will you need when using a clothes iron in Faroe Islands?

There are four types of power outlets used in Faroe Islands, types E, C, F and K with the primary power outlets being type E:

  • Plug Type C - This ungrounded power socket is identified by two holes adjacent to each other where the two plug socket pins sit.
  • Plug Type E - This recessed round wall socket (technically known as a CEE 7/7 plug) can be identified by the two circular adjacent holes for live and neutral along with one long metal earth pin protruding in the top to form a triangle shape.
  • Plug Type F - The circular power outlet, technically called a Schuko plug, can be identified by two large holes 19 mm adjacent to each other and a pair of two metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  • Plug Type K - You can recognise the wall socket by three holes in a triangle shape with the bottom hole being semicircular in shape.

A recommended plug adapter to bring for using a 230 volt clothes iron in Faroe Islands is a Type E plug adapter, read the simple guide below for full details of using a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a plug adapter. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to check if you also need to use a voltage converter.  [6] [12] [AD]

Which travel adapter will you need when using a clothes iron in Faroe Islands?

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 will support a dual voltage power outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or the handle. This location will vary depending on the make and model of your clothes iron and should also be written on the box. Some dual voltage models will change automatically, however other models will feature a switch which allows you to change between different voltage ranges.

  • Single voltage might say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 230 volts used in Faroe Islands then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Faroese 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 a Faroese power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in Faroe Islands.
  • 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 Faroe Islands or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Faroe Islands with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in hand 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 US. The TSA also recommends that you should check that the airline that is taking you to Faroe Islands 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 advices wrapping wires 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 greatest protection against knocks and drops during your journey.   [13] [14] [AD]

Power converters for Faroe Islands

Do you need a converter for Faroe Islands to use your clothes iron?

The correct power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate using a 230 volt power outlet used in Faroe Islands. Travellers who want to use their existing clothes iron can use a power converter, but it can be cheaper to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it is to purchase a power converter. In addition, a travel clothes iron can be noticeably lighter than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suitable for travelling. [10] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

An expensive and heavy power converter will transform a 230 volt Faroese power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron, but a more lightweight and smaller power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in Faroe Islands. [10] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type C power adapter

A guide showing how to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands with a Type C travel adapter.

  1. Make sure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet but if not then do not proceed as you might damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some irons might sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 230 volts for use in Faroe Islands - consult the manufacturers instructions to find out where this switch is.
  2. You will need to use a Type C plug adapter [4] if the type of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the plug outlet which is used in Faroe Islands. The plug adapter will help fit plugs from other countries for use with a power outlet found in Faroe Islands 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. Start the process by taking the Type C plug adapter and inserting it in the Faroese power outlet. This unearthed plug supply is identified by two holes adjacent to each other.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Faroese power outlet.
  6. The iron is now ready to be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type E power adapter

A guide showing how to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands with a Type E travel adapter.

  1. Make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 230 volt power supply; if not then don't continue because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a travel iron make sure you have set it to the 230 volt setting to use in Faroe Islands; please refer to the owners manual to find out 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 Faroe Islands you will need to bring a Type E plug adapter [6]. This Type E plug adapter will fit different plugs on appliances from other countries into an electrical outlet used in Faroe Islands 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 230 volt outlet.
  3. Begin the process by taking the Type E plug adapter and plugging it into the power outlet. You can identify the wall outlet by the two large round holes 19mm apart from each other and a single metal grounding pin protruding in the top in a triangular pattern.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Faroese power outlet.
  6. The iron is now ready to be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type E power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type F power adapter

How to power your clothes iron in Faroe Islands by using a two pronged Type F power charger.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 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 make sure the switch is set to accept 230 volts to use in Faroe Islands - refer to the manufacturers instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. You'll need to buy a Type F plug adapter [6] if the type of power outlet used in Faroe Islands won't accomodate the plug on your clothes iron. This plug adapter helps adapt plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet found in Faroe Islands 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 F plug adapter and inserting it in the Faroese power outlet. The circular power supply, sometimes called a Schuko plug, can be identified by two large holes 19 mm adjacent to each other and a pair of two metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Faroese power outlet. The clothes iron can now be used in Faroe Islands. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type F power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type K power adapter

Instructions showing how to use your clothes iron in Faroe Islands with a 2 pinned Type K power adapter.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 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. Dual voltage irons sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure the switch is set to accept 230 volts for use in Faroe Islands - refer to the manufacturers instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. You'll need to buy a Type K plug adapter [9] if the type of power outlet used in Faroe Islands won't accomodate the plug on your clothes iron. This plug adapter helps adapt plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet found in Faroe Islands 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 K plug adapter and inserting it in the Faroese power outlet. You can recognise the wall outlet by the three holes in a triangle shape with the bottom hole being in a semicircular shape.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type K plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Faroese power outlet.
  6. The iron should now be ready to use. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Faroe Islands using a type K power adapter

See also

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