How do I use my clothes iron in India?

Indian power outlet

Summary

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

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need to use a power adapter for India but 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 an 230 volt Indian power outlet, however this is considerably heavier, bulkier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter changes the voltage but not the physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the wall outlet used in India, therefore check that your voltage transformer has a power adapter for India otherwise you will also need to bring a seperate power adapter. Note that your own personal clothes iron might not be suitable for travel and you could risk damage in a suitcase. [9] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts used in India 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 India check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in India

Will my clothes iron work in India?

This depends on if your clothes iron can handle the 230 volt power outlets used in India:

India power outlets and plug sockets

What is the electrical frequency used in India?

The frequency of the alternating current in an Indian power outlet is 50 Hz. [10]

What mains voltage is used in India?

Power outlets in India are 230 volts.

Which plug adapter will you need when using a clothes iron in India?

Type C, D and M power outlets

Which plug adapter will you need when using a clothes iron in India?

There are three types of power outlets used in India, these are type D, C and M with the primary power outlets being type D:

  • Plug Type C - The wall socket, also known as the Europlug, can be recognised by 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other where the live and neutral pins slide into.
  • Plug Type D - You can recognise this plug outlet by the 3 circular holes in a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.
  • Plug Type M - You can recognise this plug outlet by the three circular holes forming a triangle pattern.

A recommended power adapter to bring for using a 230 volt clothes iron in India is a Type D plug adapter, read the step by step instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in India with a power adapter. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to see if you have to bring a power converter.  [6] [11] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

One method to tell if your clothes iron can accept a dual voltage power outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle, base or the plug. This location might vary depending on the make and model of your clothes iron and should also state on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage models can change automatically but other models will feature a button which allows you to operate between different regions depending on which country you are in.

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

Travelling to India with a clothes iron

Can I pack a clothes iron in my carry on luggage to India?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there are no restrictions when bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also suggests that you should verify that your airline that is taking you to India will allow clothes irons onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aircraft. The TSA also advices wrapping wires tightly around electric items such as clothes irons.

If you 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 provides the most protection against knocks and drops during your journey.   [12] [13] [AD]

Power converters for India

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a power adapter?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a power adapter?

A cheap, small and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in India, but a heavy and bulkier power converter will convert the voltage of 230 volts from an Indian power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron. [9] [AD]

Do you need a power converter to use a clothes iron in India?

The correct voltage transformer (or power converter) allows a clothes iron using a different voltage to operate using a 230 volt power outlet used in India. Travellers who wish to use their existing domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, but it could be cheaper to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it will be to purchase a power converter. Also worth noting, a power converter is substantially heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable for packing compared to a travel clothes iron. [9] [AD]

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

How to power your clothes iron in India with a 2 pronged Type C travel charger.

  1. Please check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 230 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then don't continue because you could blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a dual voltage travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure the switch is set to accept 230 volts; please refer to the user guide to find out where this switch is.
  2. You'll need to bring a Type C plug adapter [4] if the type of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same type of plug outlet which is used in India. The Type C plug adapter will fit plugs on appliances from other countries for use in a power outlet in India simply by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Insert the Type C plug adapter into the power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the two round holes next to each other for live and neutral pins.
  4. After that plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Indian power outlet. You can now switch on the iron to use in India. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in India using a type C power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in India using a type D power adapter

How to power your clothes iron in India with a Type D travel charger.

  1. Make sure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 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 230 volt setting, please refer to the manufacturers instructions for more information on where the switch is found.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet which is used in India you will need to use a Type D plug adapter [6]. This Type D plug adapter will adapt plugs from other countries for an electrical outlet found in India 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 230 volt supply.
  3. Start by plugging the Type D plug adapter into the Indian power outlet. You can recognise this plug supply by the three circular holes in a triangular configuration for live, neutral and earth.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type D plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Indian power outlet. The iron can now be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in India using a type D power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in India using a type M power adapter

A page showing how to power your clothes iron in India with a 3 pronged Type M travel charger.

  1. Please check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then don't continue because you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some irons will usually have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron make sure the switch is set to accept 230 volts; please refer to the user guide to find out where this switch is.
  2. You'll need to bring a Type M plug adapter [8] if the type of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the plug outlet which is used in India. The Type M plug adapter will adapt plugs from other countries for use in a power outlet in India 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 230 volt outlet.
  3. Insert the Type M plug adapter in the power outlet. The wall outlet, sometimes known as a Type M power outlet [7], looks like 3 large holes forming a triangle shape for live, neutral and earth.
  4. After that plug in your clothes iron into the Type M plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Indian power outlet. You can now switch on the iron to use in India. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in India using a type M power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - India Wikipedia 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 D power outlet
  6. Type D plug adapter - A BS-546 compliant, Type D electrical adapter featuring a grounded 3-prong plug, widely used in South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka..
  7. iec.ch - Type M power outlet
  8. Type M plug adapter - A BS-546 compliant, Type M travel adapter featuring a grounded 3-prong plug, widely used in African countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Swaziland, as well as in parts of India..
  9. 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..
  10. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  11. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  12. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for clothes irons -
  13. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.