How to use your clothes iron in Austria

Austrian power outlet

Summary

Check your clothes iron can handle the voltage in Austria:

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need the correct power adapter for Austria but 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 an 230 volt Austrian power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter will change the voltage but not the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the power outlet used in Austria, therefore check that the voltage transformer comes with an appropriate power adapter for Austria otherwise you will also need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Please note that your personal clothes iron might not be suited for travel and you risk damage in a suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle the 230 volts used in Austria you run the potential risk of a blown fuse, damage to your clothes iron or even an electrical fire hazard. Prior to using your clothes iron in Austria read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Austria

Will my clothes iron work in Austria?

This will depend on if your clothes iron can operate using the 230 volt power outlets in Austria:

Can I use my American clothes iron in Austria?

The guides on this page assume that you are a reader from America visiting Austria and will provide advice on using your American clothes iron with an Austrian power outlet.

Austria power outlets and plug sockets

What electrical frequency is used in Austria?

The frequency of the current used in an Austrian power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

What is the mains voltage in Austria?

The standard residential voltage used in Austria is 230 volts.

Which power adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Austria?

Type C and F power outlets

Which power adapter will you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Austria?

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

  • Plug Type C - You can recognise this power outlet by 2 adjacent holes next to each other.
  • Plug Type F - This round power socket (called a type F power outlet or Schuko socket) can be recognised by the two 4.8mm round holes 19 mm apart from each other where the two pins sit along with grounding clips on the top and bottom.

A Type F power adapter will allow you to use a 230 volt clothes iron in Austria, read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of how to use a plug adapter for Austria. Please note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to check if you also have to use a power converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Get a plug adapter for Austria

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 support dual voltage is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle, base or the plug. The location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron and could also be written on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons will change automatically but other irons will have a switch which allows you to operate between different regions.

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

Travelling to Austria with a clothes iron

Can you take a clothes iron in your carry on luggage?

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 US. The TSA recommends that you should verify that the airline who is flying you to Austria 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 cables tightly around clothes irons. If you intend to pack a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to bring hard carry on luggage as this offers the greatest protection against knocks and drops during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Austria

Do you need a power converter for Austria to use your clothes iron?

The correct model of voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 230 volt power outlet used in Austria. Travellers who wish to use their own domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, however it can be considerably cheaper to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it will be to purchase a power converter. Also worth noting, a travel clothes iron can be significantly lighter than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suitable when packing. [7] [AD]

What is the difference between a power adapter and a power converter for Austria?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a power adapter and a power converter for Austria?

An expensive and heavy power converter will convert the voltage of 230 volts from an Austrian power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron, however a more lightweight and cheaper power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet in Austria. [7] [AD]

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

How to use your clothes iron in Austria by using a 2 pinned Type C travel charger.

  1. Please make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power supply but if not then don't proceed because you may blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Dual voltage irons usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure you have set it to accept 230 volts, refer to the instructions for more details on how to do this.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet which is used in Austria you'll need to use a Type C plug adapter [4]. The Type C plug adapter will help fit plugs on appliances from other countries for use with an electrical outlet found in Austria by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type C plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two circular adjacent holes.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Austrian power outlet.
  6. The iron can now be used in Austria. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Austria using a type C power adapter

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

How to use your clothes iron in Austria using a 2 pinned Type F travel adapter.

  1. Please make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 230 volt power outlet but if not then don't proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Dual voltage irons typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron make sure you have set it to accept 230 volts for use in Austria; refer to the instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet which is used in Austria you'll need to buy a Type F plug adapter [6]. The plug adapter will convert plugs on appliances from other countries into an electrical outlet found in Austria simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Plug in the Type F plug adapter in the wall outlet. This round power outlet (called a Schuko outlet or Type F power outlet [5]) can be recognised by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm apart from each other where the two pins slide into along with grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Austrian power outlet.
  6. The iron can now be used in Austria. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Austria using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Austria country entry on Wikipedia.org
  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.