Using a clothes iron in Romania

Romanian power outlet

Summary

Check your clothes iron can handle the voltage in Romania:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need to use the correct power adapter for Romania however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 230 volt Romanian 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 physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of wall outlet used in Romania, therefore check that the power converter has an appropriate power adapter for Romania otherwise you will need to bring another power adapter. Note that your personal clothes iron might not be suitable for travelling and you could risk damage in your luggage. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts used in Romania you run the potential risk of blowing a fuse, damage to your clothes iron or even an electrical fire hazard. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in Romania please read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Romania

Will my clothes iron work in Romania?

That will depend on if your clothes iron can operate using the 230 volts which are used in Romania:

Romania power outlets and plug sockets

What is the frequency used in a Romanian power outlet?

The frequency from a Romanian power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

What voltage is used in Romania?

Power outlets in Romania are 230 volts.

Which plug adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Romania?

Type C and F power outlets

Which plug adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Romania?

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

  • Plug Type C - The wall outlet is recognised by the two adjacent holes where the live and neutral plug socket pins go.
  • Plug Type F - This sunken circular plug outlet (called the type F power outlet or Schuko socket) can be recognised by the two large round adjacent holes where the twin plug socket pins go and two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.

A recommended travel adapter to bring for using a 230 volt clothes iron in Romania is a Type F power adapter; read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Romania. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also need to bring a power converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Plug adapters for Romania

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 might vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron and should also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage models can change automatically but other irons will have a switch which allows you to toggle between different voltages.

  • Single voltage could say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 230 volts used in Romania then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Romanian power outlet.
  • Single voltage could 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 Romanian power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in Romania.
  • Dual voltage will say a large range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your clothes iron will be capable of being used in Romania or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Romania with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in my carry on luggage to Romania?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there are no restrictions when bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also recommends that you should verify that your airline which is taking you to Romania 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 recommends wrapping cables 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 bumps during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Romania

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

The correct type voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate with the 230 volt power outlet used in Romania. Travellers who want to bring along their existing domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, however it can be more expensive to purchase a power converter than it is to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. A power converter is considerably heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing in luggage compared to a travel clothes iron. [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?

A heavy and expensive power converter converts a 230 volt Romanian power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron, whereas a cheaper and smaller power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in Romania. [7] [AD]

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

Instructions showing how to power your clothes iron in Romania with a Type C power charger.

  1. Please 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 don't proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Some travel irons might usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to the 230 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 Romania you'll need to bring a Type C plug adapter [4]. The power adapter helps adapt different plugs from other countries for use with an electrical outlet found in Romania simply by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type C plug adapter in the Romanian power outlet. You can recognise the plug supply by two circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Romanian power outlet.
  6. Your iron can now be used in Romania. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Romania using a type C power adapter

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

Instructions showing how to power a clothes iron in Romania with a Type F power charger.

  1. Please ensure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 230 volt power outlet; if it doesn't then do not proceed because you may create an electrical fire hazard, blow a fuse or damage your iron. Some irons will typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure the switch is set to the 230 volt setting - please refer to the user guide to find out where the switch is found.
  2. If the plug on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet which is used in Romania you'll need to buy a Type F plug adapter [6]. The plug adapter will fit different plugs from other countries for use in an electrical outlet found in Romania simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Begin the process by plugging the Type F plug adapter in the Romanian power outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by two round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other where the twin pins sit, plus a pair of grounding clips above and below.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Romanian power outlet.
  6. Your iron can now be used in Romania. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Romania using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Romania Wikipedia web 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 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 clothes irons -
  11. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.