How do I use a clothes iron in Norway?

Norwegian power outlet

Summary

Check your clothes iron can handle the voltage in Norway:

  • If your clothes iron can run using 240 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can check) then you'll only need to use the correct power adapter listed below 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 Norway however 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 a 240 volt Norwegian 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 Norway, so please check that your voltage transformer includes a power adapter for Norway otherwise you will still need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Note that your personal clothes iron might not be suited for travelling and you could risk potential damage in your suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 240 volts you run a risk of an electrical fire hazard, blowing a fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Prior to using your clothes iron in Norway read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Norway

Will my clothes iron work in Norway?

That depends on if your clothes iron can operate using the 240 volt power outlets in Norway. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron is designed to handle 240 volts and you have the appropriate power adapter then you should be able to use your clothes iron in Norway. If not then you will need to consider purchasing either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2]. Read our section on will a voltage converter work with a clothes iron in Norway for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Norway power outlets and plug sockets

What voltage is used in Norway?

The common residential voltage used in Norway is 240 volts.

What is the frequency used in Norway?

The frequency of the current from a Norwegian power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

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

Type C and F power outlets

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

There are two types of power outlets used in Norway, 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 round adjacent holes next to each other.
  • Plug Type F - The recessed circular power outlet, also called a Schuko plug, can be recognised by the two large circular adjacent holes next to each other along with a pair of two thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.

A recommended travel adapter to bring when using a 240 volt clothes iron in Norway is a Type F plug adapter - read the step by step guide below for full details of using a power adapter for Norway. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to check if you also have to bring a voltage converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Plug adapters for Norway

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron supports dual voltage is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, handle or base of your clothes iron. This location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron and could also be written on the box or in the instruction manual. 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 240 volts used in Norway then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Norwegian 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 240 volts used in a Norwegian power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in Norway.
  • A larger range separated with a slash such as 100/240V indicates a dual voltage clothes iron capable of being used in Norway or any other country.

Travelling to Norway with a clothes iron

Can I carry on a clothes iron in my 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 recommends that you should verify that the airline that is taking you to Norway 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 most protection against knocks and drops during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Norway

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

The correct type voltage transformer (or power converter) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate with the 240 volt power outlet used in Norway. A power converter is more suited for travellers who want to bring their existing clothes iron, but it might be more expensive to buy a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. A power converter is substantially bulkier and heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable for travelling. [7] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

A small, cheap and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in Norway, whereas a heavy and bulkier power converter will transform the voltage of 240 volts from a Norwegian power outlet to work with a non-240 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

Instructions showing how to use your clothes iron in Norway with a 2 pinned Type C power charger.

  1. Ensure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 240 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 240 volts for use in Norway; refer to the owners manual to find out where this switch is located.
  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 Norway. This Type C plug adapter is designed to adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for use with an electrical outlet found in Norway simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 240 volt supply.
  3. Start the process by plugging the Type C plug adapter in the Norwegian power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the 2 holes next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet pins go.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Norwegian power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on your iron to use in Norway. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Norway using a type C power adapter

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

How to use a clothes iron in Norway by using a Type F power adapter.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 240 volt power supply but if not then don't proceed because you might 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 240 volts to use in Norway; refer to the owners manual to find out where the switch is found.
  2. You will need to bring a Type F plug adapter [6] if the shape of the power outlet used in Norway isn't the same shape as the plug shape of your clothes iron. This power adapter will help adapt different plugs from other countries for use in an electrical outlet in Norway by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 240 volt supply.
  3. Insert the Type F plug adapter in the wall outlet. The recessed circular plug supply, also called a Schuko outlet, can be recognised by the two large circular adjacent holes next to each other along with 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 Norwegian power outlet. You can now turn on your iron to use in Norway. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Norway using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Norway Wikipedia web 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 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.