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

Mexican power outlet

Summary

Check your clothes iron can work in Mexico:

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need the correct power adapter for Mexico 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 127 volt Mexican 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 Mexico, therefore check that the power converter has a suitable power adapter for Mexico otherwise you will also need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Also worth noting 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 the 127 volts used in Mexico you run the risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Prior to using your clothes iron in Mexico read the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Mexico

Will my clothes iron work in Mexico?

That depends on if your clothes iron is designed to handle the 127 volt power outlets in Mexico:

Will my American clothes iron work in Mexico?

The instructions on this page assume that you are a reader from America visiting Mexico and will provide guidance for using your US clothes iron with a Mexican power outlet.

Mexico power outlets and plug sockets

What is the frequency used in Mexico?

The frequency from a Mexican power outlet is 60 Hz. [8]

What voltage is used in Mexico?

The voltage in Mexico is 127 volts.

Which power adapter do you need to use a clothes iron in Mexico?

Type A and B power outlets

Which power adapter do you need to use a clothes iron in Mexico?

There are two types of power outlets used in Mexico, these are type B and A with the primary power outlets being type B:

  • Plug Type A - The plug socket (also called the type A power outlet) can be identified by two thin slots next to each other where the two blades sit. Type A power outlets in Mexico aren't as commonplace however are still used by some hotels.
  • Plug Type B - You can recognise the power outlet by 2 slots parallel to each other with a semicircular hole below for the slightly longer earthed pin. These are the most commonly used sockets in Mexico.

A suitable plug adapter to bring to use a 127 volt clothes iron in Mexico is a Type B power adapter; read the simple instructions below for full details of using a power adapter for Mexico. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also need to bring a voltage converter.  [4] [9] [AD]

Plug adapters for Mexico

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

The way to tell if your clothes iron can support a dual voltage outlet 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 could also state on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons will change automatically but other irons will feature 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 127 volts used in Mexico then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Mexican 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 127 volts used in a Mexican power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in Mexico.
  • A larger range separated with a slash such as 100/240V indicates a dual voltage clothes iron capable of being used in Mexico or any other country.

Travelling to Mexico 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 suggests that you should verify that the airline who is flying you to Mexico 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 Mexico

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a plug adapter for Mexico?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a plug adapter for Mexico?

A lightweight, cheap and small power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet found in Mexico, but a more expensive and heavier power converter will convert the voltage of 127 volts from a Mexican power outlet to work with a non-127 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

Do I need a power converter for Mexico to use my clothes iron?

A suitable power converter (or voltage transformer) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate with the 127 volt power outlet used in Mexico. A power converter is more suited for travellers who want to use their own domestic clothes iron, but it can be more costly to buy a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. Also worth noting, a power converter is considerably heavier and bulkier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing in luggage compared to a travel clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

Instructions showing how to power a clothes iron in Mexico with a Type B travel adapter.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 127 volt power supply - but if it doesn't then do not attempt these instructions because you may damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure you have set it to accept 127 volts - please 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 Mexico you'll need to use a Type B plug adapter [4]. The power adapter will convert plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet used in Mexico simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 127 volt supply.
  3. Start by inserting the Type B plug adapter in the Mexican power outlet. The plug outlet (sometimes called a Type B power outlet [3]) can be identified by two slots next to each other where the two blades sit with a single hole below for the grounded pin. Type B power outlets will be the most common outlets found in Mexico.
  4. Next plug in the clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Mexican power outlet. The clothes iron can now be switched on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Mexico using a type B power adapter

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

Instructions showing how to power a clothes iron in Mexico by using a Type A power charger.

  1. Ensure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 127 volt power supply - but if it doesn't then don't attempt these instructions because you may damage your iron, blow a fuse 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 127 volts, refer to the instructions for more details on how to do this.
  2. This guide assumes that you're not already using 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 can work with a 127 volt power supply). You'll need to use a Type A plug adapter [6] if the type of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the plug outlet used in Mexico. This Type A plug adapter is designed to adapt different plugs from other countries into an electrical outlet in Mexico by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 127 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by taking the Type A plug adapter and plugging it into the power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 slots. Type A plug sockets in Mexico might not be as common but might still found in some hotels.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Mexican power outlet.
  6. The iron can now be used in Mexico. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Mexico using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Visitmexico - Visit Mexico Web Site
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel iron
  3. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  4. Type B plug adapter - US and Japanese 3 pinned Type B plug adapters have a single unearthed round pin along with 2 shorter parallel rectangular flat blades containing holes in each blade.
  5. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  6. Type A plug adapter - There are 2 parallel rectangular flat blades on an unearthed Type A plug adapter with small holes in each blade.
  7. Power converter - A step up step down power converter converts 110-120 volts up to 220-240 volts and 220-240 volts down to 110-120 Volts.
  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.