How do I use a clothes iron in Monaco?

Monacan power outlet

Summary

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

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need to use a suitable power adapter for Monaco but these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - you can then use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 230 volt Monacan power outlet, however this is substantially heavier, bulkier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter will change the voltage but not the actual shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the power outlet used in Monaco, therefore please check that your power converter comes with a power adapter for Monaco otherwise you will need to bring a seperate power adapter. Note that your personal clothes iron might not be suitable for travelling and you could risk potential damage in your luggage. [10] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run the potential risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or a blown fuse. Prior to using your clothes iron in Monaco please check the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Monaco

Will my clothes iron work in Monaco?

This will depend on if your clothes iron can handle the 230 volt power outlets used in Monaco:

Monaco power outlets and plug sockets

What is the mains voltage in Monaco?

Power outlets in Monaco are 230 volts.

What is the electrical frequency used in Monaco?

The frequency of the current from a Monacan power outlet is 50Hz. [11]

Which plug adapter do you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Monaco?

There are four types of power outlets used in Monaco, types D, C, E and F with the primary power outlets being type D:

  • Plug Type C - You can identify the plug socket by the 2 adjacent holes where the live and neutral plug socket pins go.
  • Plug Type D - You can recognise the power outlet by three round holes forming a triangular configuration.
  • Plug Type E - You can recognise the plug socket by two round adjacent holes with a single long metal earth pin protruding in the top to form a triangular pattern.
  • Plug Type F - This round power socket, technically known as the type F power outlet, can be recognised by the two large round holes 19 mm next to each other for live and neutral, plus a pair of grounding clips above and below.

A Type D plug adapter allows you to use a 230 volt clothes iron in Monaco, read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Monaco using a plug adapter. Please note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to see if you also have to use a voltage converter.  [6] [12] [AD]

Which plug adapter do you need to bring when using a clothes iron in Monaco?
Plug adapters for Monaco

Dual voltage travel irons

How can you tell if your clothes iron is dual voltage?

A simple method to tell if your clothes iron supports a dual voltage outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, handle or the base. This location might depend on the make and model of your clothes iron and could also state on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons can change automatically, however other models will have a button which allows you to change between different regions.

  • Single voltage might say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 230 volts used in Monaco then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Monacan power outlet.
  • Single voltage might also have a small voltage range with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 100-120V. If the 230 volts used in a Monacan power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in Monaco.
  • Dual voltage will say a larger range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your clothes iron will be capable of being used in Monaco or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to Monaco with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in my carry on hand luggage to Monaco?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there are no restrictions when carrying a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA suggests that you should verify that the airline who is flying you to Monaco will allow clothes irons onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane. The TSA also advices 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 greatest protection against knocks and drops during your journey.   [13] [14] [AD]

Power converters for Monaco

Can you use your clothes iron with a voltage converter in Monaco?

The correct type power converter (or voltage transformer) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate using a 230 volt power outlet used in Monaco. A power converter is more suitable for travellers who want to bring along their existing clothes iron, however it could be considerably cheaper to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2] than it is to buy a power converter. Also worth noting, a power converter is considerably heavier and bulkier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing. [10] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

A heavy and expensive power converter transforms a 230 volt Monacan power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron, but a smaller and more lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet in Monaco. [10] [AD]

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

Instructions showing how to power a clothes iron in Monaco with a two pin Type C travel charger.

  1. Ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 230 volt power outlet - but if it doesn't then don't proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Some irons will typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron make sure you have set it to the 230 volt setting for use in Monaco, please consult the user guide for more details on how to do this.
  2. You will need to bring a Type C plug adapter [4] if the shape of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same type of power outlet used in Monaco. This Type C plug adapter is designed to adapt plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet used in Monaco simply by changing the shape of the plug, however it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. First you'll need to plug in the Type C plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise the plug supply by 2 round adjacent holes.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Monacan power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on your iron to use in Monaco. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Monaco using a type C power adapter

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

How to use your clothes iron in Monaco using a Type D power charger.

  1. Please make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 230 volt power outlet; 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 ensure you have set it to accept 230 volts to use in Monaco; refer to the owners manual to find out where this switch is located.
  2. If the shape of the power outlet used in Monaco isn't the same shape as the plug shape on your clothes iron you will need to bring a Type D plug adapter [6]. This power adapter helps adapt different plugs from other countries for use in an electrical outlet in Monaco simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Begin by taking the Type D plug adapter and plugging it in the power outlet. This wall supply (sometimes called a Type D power outlet [5]) can be recognised by the three round holes forming a triangle configuration for live, neutral and ground pins.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type D plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Monacan power outlet. Your iron can now be turned on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Monaco using a type D power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Monaco using a type E power adapter

How to power a clothes iron in Monaco with a two pin Type E 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 do not continue as you might blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a dual voltage travel iron ensure the switch is set to the 230 volt setting - please refer to the instructions 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 Monaco you'll need to use a Type E plug adapter [8]. The plug adapter will convert plugs from other countries for a power outlet in Monaco by changing the shape of the plug, but 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 E plug adapter in the Monacan power outlet. The sunken round wall supply (known as the Type E power outlet [7] or CEE 7/7 outlet) can be recognised by the two large circular holes 19mm adjacent to each other where the two pins slide into plus a metal earth pin protruding the top to form a triangle configuration.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Monacan power outlet.
  6. Your clothes iron can now be powered on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Monaco using a type E power adapter

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

A page on how to power a clothes iron in Monaco with a two pin Type F travel adapter.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 230 volt power supply - but if not then don't proceed because 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 the switch is set to the 230 volt setting for use in Monaco, please consult the manufacturers instructions for more details on how to do this.
  2. You will need to bring a Type F plug adapter [8] if the shape of plug used on your clothes iron isn't the same type of plug outlet used in Monaco. This Type F plug adapter is designed to fit plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet used in Monaco simply 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. Firstly you'll need to plug in the Type F plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by two round adjacent holes and a pair of two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Monacan power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on the iron for use in Monaco. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Monaco using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Monacan 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 E power outlet
  8. Type E plug adapter - A CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug compliant Type E adapter designed with a focus on safety, featuring two round pins and an earthing hole. Ideal for use in the France, Belgium, Poland and several African nations..
  9. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  10. 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..
  11. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  12. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  13. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for clothes irons -
  14. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.