How do I use my clothes iron in Albania?

Albanian power outlet

Summary

Check that your clothes iron can handle the voltage in Albania:

  • If your clothes iron can run using 230 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can check) then you will only need to use the correct power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your clothes iron will not fit in the outlet.

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need a power adapter for Albania 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 an 230 volt Albanian power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter changes the voltage but won't change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the wall outlet used in Albania, so please check that your power converter includes a power adapter for Albania otherwise you will need to bring a seperate power adapter. Please note that your personal clothes iron might not be suited for travel and you could risk potential damage in transit. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run a risk of blowing a fuse, damage to your clothes iron or even an electrical fire hazard. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in Albania please read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Albania

Will my clothes iron work in Albania?

This will depend on if your clothes iron can operate using the 230 volts which are used in Albania. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron is designed to operate using 230 volts and you have the correct plug adapter then you can use the clothes iron in Albania. If not then you will need to consider using either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or a heavier and more expensive power converter. Read our section on can you use a power converter to use your clothes iron in Albania for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Can I use my American clothes iron in Albania?

The guides on this page assume that you're an America reader travelling to Albania and provide guidance for using your US clothes iron with an Albanian power outlet.

Albania power outlets and plug sockets

What is the electrical frequency used in Albania?

The frequency from an Albanian power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

What is the mains voltage in Albania?

Power outlets in Albania are 230 volts.

Which travel adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in Albania?

Type C and F power outlets

Which travel adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in Albania?

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

  • Plug Type C - The plug socket, also called a Europlug, is recognised by two circular adjacent holes next to each other.
  • Plug Type F - You can recognise the power outlet by two round holes 19 mm adjacent to each other along with grounding clips above and below.

A recommended plug adapter to bring to use a 230 volt clothes iron in Albania is a Type F power adapter; read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Albania. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also have to use a power converter.  [6] [9] [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 dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle, base or plug of your clothes iron. The location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron and should also be written in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage models might change automatically, however other models will feature a button which allows you to change between different regions.

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

Travelling to Albania with a clothes iron

Can you pack a clothes iron in your hand 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 also recommends that you should verify that the airline that is taking you to Albania will allow clothes irons onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane. The TSA also suggests wrapping cables tightly around electronic items.

If you do intend to bring 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 most protection against knocks and drops during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Albania

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

Voltage converter

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

A lightweight, cheap and small power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet found in Albania, but a heavier and more expensive power converter transforms a 230 volt Albanian power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

Do I need a converter to use a clothes iron in Albania?

A suitable voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 230 volt power outlet used in Albania. A power converter is more suited for travellers wishing to bring along their own domestic clothes iron, however it could be considerably cheaper to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it will be to buy a power converter. A power converter is considerably heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable when packing compared to a travel clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

How to power a clothes iron in Albania by using a Type C travel adapter.

  1. Ensure 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 attempt these instructions as you could create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure you have set it to accept 230 volts, 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 shape as the outlet used in Albania you will need to use a Type C plug adapter [4]. The plug adapter will convert plugs on appliances from other countries for a power outlet used in Albania by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by plugging the Type C plug adapter in the Albanian power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by 2 holes adjacent to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins slide into.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Albanian power outlet. You can now switch on the iron in Albania. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Albania using a type C power adapter

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

How to use your clothes iron in Albania with a 2 pinned Type F power charger.

  1. 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 attempt these instructions as you could create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Some travel irons might typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure you have set it to accept 230 volts to use in Albania; refer to the owners manual to find out where the switch is found.
  2. If the plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet used in Albania you'll need to use a Type F plug adapter [6]. The power adapter will convert plugs from other countries for a power outlet found in Albania by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type F plug adapter in the Albanian power outlet. This round wall supply can be identified by two 4.8mm holes 19 mm apart from each other for live and neutral, plus a pair of two thin grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Albanian power outlet.
  6. The iron can now be used in Albania. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Albania using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia web page about Albania
  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.