How do I use a clothes iron in San Marino?

Sammarinese power outlet

Summary

Check that your clothes iron can handle the voltage in San Marino:

  • If your clothes iron can run using 230 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can tell) then you will only need to use the correct power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your clothes iron will not fit in the outlet.

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you may still need the correct power adapter for San Marino 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 230 volt Sammarinese power outlet, however this is significantly bulkier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but won't change the physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of wall outlet used in San Marino, so please check that the voltage transformer includes the correct power adapter for San Marino otherwise you will still need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Also worth noting that your existing clothes iron might not be suitable for travelling and you could risk potential damage in your luggage. [9] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run the risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Prior to using your clothes iron in San Marino read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in San Marino

Will my clothes iron work in San Marino?

This will depend on if your clothes iron can operate using the 230 volts as used in San Marino:

San Marino power outlets and plug sockets

What is the mains voltage in San Marino?

Power outlets in San Marino are 230 volts.

What is the electrical frequency used in San Marino?

The frequency of the alternating current from a Sammarinese power outlet is 50Hz. [10]

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

Type C, F and L power outlets

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

There are three different types of power outlets used in San Marino, these are type F, C and L with the primary power outlets being type F:

  • Plug Type C - You can recognise the plug socket by 2 holes adjacent to each other.
  • Plug Type F - You can identify the plug socket by the two holes 19 mm apart from each other where the live and neutral plug socket pins go, plus a pair of grounding clips above and below.
  • Plug Type L - The flattened hexagon shaped power outlet, also called a type L power outlet, looks like 3 holes forming a line for live, neutral and earth pins. Please note there are two variations of Type L wall outlet, one rated at 10 amps and one at 16 amps. A 10 amp wall outlet has 4mm thick round pins that are spaced 5.5mm apart and a 16 amp version has larger 5mm thick round pins that are spaced 8mm apart.

A Type F power adapter is suitable for powering a 230 volt clothes iron in San Marino, read the simple guide below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in San Marino using a plug adapter. Please be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also need to bring a voltage converter.  [6] [11] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

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

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron supports a dual voltage power outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle, base or plug. The location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron, it should also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage models might change automatically but other irons will feature a button which allows you to toggle between different regions depending on which country you are in.

  • Single voltage might say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 230 volts used in San Marino then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Sammarinese 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 Sammarinese power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in San Marino.
  • 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 San Marino or any other country if these numbers are shown.

Travelling to San Marino with a clothes iron

Can you bring a clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA also recommends that you should verify that your airline which is taking you to San Marino will allow clothes irons onboard and that it will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aircraft. The TSA also recommends wrapping wires tightly around electronic items.

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

Power converters for San Marino

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

Voltage converter

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

A lightweight, small and cheap power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet found in San Marino, but an expensive and bulkier power converter transforms a 230 volt Sammarinese power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron. [9] [AD]

Do you need a voltage converter to use your clothes iron in San Marino?

The correct voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 230 volt power outlet used in San Marino. Travellers wishing to bring along their existing domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, 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 travel clothes iron can be significantly lighter than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suited for packing in luggage. [9] [AD]

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

How to power a clothes iron in San Marino by using a Type C 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 might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure you have set it to accept 230 volts, refer to the user guide 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 San Marino you will need to use a Type C plug adapter [4]. This power adapter will fit different plugs from other countries for an electrical outlet in San Marino by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Start by inserting the Type C plug adapter in the wall outlet. This power outlet, sometimes known as the Type C power outlet [3] or Europlug, is recognised by two round adjacent holes next to each other.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Sammarinese power outlet. Your iron can now be used in San Marino. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in San Marino using a type C power adapter

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

How to use your clothes iron in San Marino with a Type F power charger.

  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. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages make sure you have set it to accept 230 volts to use in San Marino; refer to the owners manual to find out where the switch is found.
  2. You'll need to bring a Type F plug adapter [6] if the shape of the power outlet used in San Marino isn't the same shape as the plug shape on your clothes iron. This power adapter helps adapt different plugs from other countries into an electrical outlet in San Marino 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. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type F plug adapter into the wall outlet. This sunken circular plug outlet, also called a Schuko outlet, can be recognised by the two large circular adjacent holes next to each other and two thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Sammarinese power outlet.
  6. Your iron can now be used in San Marino. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in San Marino using a type F power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in San Marino using a type L power adapter

Instructions showing how to power a clothes iron in San Marino with a three pin Type L travel adapter.

  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 do not attempt these instructions because you may damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a dual voltage travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure the switch is set to accept 230 volts - please refer to the instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet used in San Marino you will need to buy a Type L plug adapter [8]. The plug adapter will convert plugs from other countries for a power outlet found in San Marino by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type L plug adapter in the power outlet. This hexagon shaped power outlet (sometimes called a Type L power outlet [7]) can be recognised by the three large circular holes in a line for live, neutral and ground. Note that there are two different types of Type L power supply, one rated for 10 amps and one for 16 amps. The 10 amp plug supply has 4mm pins which are spaced 5.5mm apart, whilst the 16 amp version has larger 5mm pins which are spaced 8mm apart.
  4. Next plug in the clothes iron into the Type L plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Sammarinese power outlet. You can now switch on your iron for use in San Marino. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in San Marino using a type L power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia.org entry about San Marino
  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. iec.ch - Type L power outlet
  8. Type L plug adapter - A Type L travel adapter is compatible with Italy's 10A and 16A grounded outlets and can also be used in other countries like Chile and Uruguay which use the Italian standard CEI 23-50..
  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.