How do I use my clothes iron in Venezuela?

Venezuelan power outlet

Summary

First check your clothes iron can handle the voltage in Venezuela:

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need to use a power adapter for Venezuela 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 120 volt Venezuelan power outlet, however this is substantially bulkier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but not the physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the wall outlet used in Venezuela, therefore please check that the voltage transformer has a power adapter for Venezuela otherwise you will also need to bring a seperate power adapter. Please note that your own personal clothes iron might not be suitable for travel and you could risk damage in your suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 120 volts used in Venezuela you run a risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or a blown fuse. Prior to using your clothes iron in Venezuela check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Venezuela

Will my clothes iron work in Venezuela?

That will depend on if your clothes iron is designed to operate using the 120 volt power outlets in Venezuela:

How can I use my US clothes iron in Venezuela?

The guides on this page assume that you're a reader from the US travelling to Venezuela and will provide advice on using your US clothes iron with a Venezuelan power outlet.

Venezuela power outlets and plug sockets

What electrical frequency is used in a Venezuelan power outlet?

The frequency of the current from a Venezuelan power outlet is 60 Hz. [8]

What is the mains voltage in Venezuela?

The residential voltage in Venezuela is 120 volts.

Which plug adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in Venezuela?

Type A and B power outlets

Which plug adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in Venezuela?

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

  • Plug Type A - The power outlet, technically called a type A power outlet, can be recognised by 2 thin adjacent slots for live and neutral blades.
  • Plug Type B - The wall socket, also called a type B power outlet, can be recognised by 2 thin slots where the live and neutral blades go with a single hole below for the slightly long ground pin.

A Type B plug adapter is suitable for powering a 120 volt clothes iron in Venezuela; read the simple instructions below for full details of using a clothes iron in Venezuela. Please note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also have to bring a power converter.  [4] [9] [AD]

Buy a plug adapter for Venezuela

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron will handle a dual voltage power outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, handle or base. This location will depend on the make or model of your clothes iron, it could also state on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage models will change automatically, however other irons will have a button which allows you to operate between different regions.

  • Single voltage might say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 120 volts used in Venezuela then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Venezuelan 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 120 volts used in a Venezuelan power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in Venezuela.
  • Dual voltage will say a larger voltage range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your clothes iron will be capable of being used in Venezuela or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Venezuela with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in my hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on carrying a mains powered clothes iron in your hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA suggests that you should verify that your airline who is taking you to Venezuela 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 suggests wrapping cables tightly around clothes irons.

If you intend to bring a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to use hard carry on luggage as this offers the greatest protection against knocks and bumps during your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Venezuela

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

Voltage converter

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

A small, cheap and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in Venezuela, however a heavier and more expensive power converter converts the voltage of 120 volts from a Venezuelan power outlet to work with a non-120 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

Can you use your clothes iron with a converter for Venezuela?

A voltage transformer (or power converter) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 120 volt power outlet used in Venezuela. Travellers wishing to bring their own clothes iron can use a power converter, but it can be considerably less expensive to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it is to purchase a power converter. A power converter is also significantly bulkier and heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing compared to a travel clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

How to power your clothes iron in Venezuela by using a Type B travel charger.

  1. Make sure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 120 volt power outlet - if not then do not attempt these instructions because you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Travel irons typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron ensure you have set it to the 120 volt setting; please refer to the manufacturers instructions for more information on where the switch is found.
  2. If the type of power outlet which is used in Venezuela won't accomodate the plug shape on your clothes iron you will need to use a Type B plug adapter [4]. The Type B plug adapter will adapt plugs from other countries into a power outlet found in Venezuela simply by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 120 volt supply.
  3. Start the process by plugging the Type B plug adapter into the power outlet. The wall outlet, sometimes known as a Type B power outlet [3], can be recognised by 2 thin slots parallel to each other where the short two plug outlet blades slide into with a hole below for the slightly long grounded pin.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Venezuelan power outlet.
  6. You can now switch on the iron to use in Venezuela. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Venezuela using a type B power adapter

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

A page showing how to use a clothes iron in Venezuela using a 2 pronged Type A power adapter.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 120 volt power outlet - if not then don't continue because you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some travel irons typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron ensure you have set it to accept 120 volts; please refer to the manufacturers instructions to find out where this switch is.
  2. This guide assumes that you are not already using a clothes iron with a Type A plug - if it does then you won't need a power adapter (but you will still need to check that your clothes iron can work with a 120 volt power outlet). You'll need to buy a Type A plug adapter [6] if the shape of plug on your clothes iron isn't the same type of plug outlet which is used in Venezuela. The power adapter is designed to convert different plugs on appliances from other countries for use in a power outlet found in Venezuela by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 120 volt outlet.
  3. Begin the process by plugging the Type A plug adapter into the power outlet. You can identify the wall outlet by two slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Venezuelan power outlet.
  6. The iron is now ready for use in Venezuela. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Venezuela using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Venezuela Wikipedia page
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel iron
  3. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  4. Type B plug adapter - A Type B adapter, rated at 15 A and 125 V, featuring two parallel flat blades and a longer grounding pin, in compliance with NEMA 5-15 specifications. Suitable for travel to the US plug types and Canadian plugs..
  5. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  6. Type A plug adapter - A two-blade, ungrounded electrical plug adapter for US plug types, Canadian power outlets, Thailand sockets, Mexico plug types, and select Asian power outlets..
  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.