How do I use a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands?

Cayman Islands power outlet

Summary

Check your clothes iron can work in The Cayman Islands:

  • If your clothes iron can run on 120 volts or can support dual voltage (how to tell) then you will only need to use the right power adapter listed below if the plug on your clothes iron won't fit.

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need to use an appropriate power adapter for The Cayman Islands but 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 120 volt Cayman Islands power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter will change the voltage but not the actual physical shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of wall outlet used in The Cayman Islands, so please check that your power converter has a suitable power adapter for The Cayman Islands otherwise you will also need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Please be aware that your own domestic clothes iron might not be suitable for travelling and you could risk potential damage in your suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 120 volts you run the risk of blowing a fuse, damage to your clothes iron or even an electrical fire hazard. Prior to using your clothes iron in The Cayman Islands read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands

Will my clothes iron work in The Cayman Islands?

This depends on if your clothes iron is designed to handle the 120 volt power outlets in The Cayman Islands. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron can operate using 120 volts and you have the correct plug adapter then you can use your clothes iron in The Cayman Islands. If not then you will need to consider purchasing either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2], read the guide on can you use a voltage converter with a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [7] [AD]

The Cayman Islands power outlets and plug sockets

What electrical frequency is used with a Cayman Islands power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current found in a Cayman Islands power outlet is 60Hz. [8]

What is the mains voltage in The Cayman Islands?

The common residential voltage used in The Cayman Islands is 120 volts.

Which power adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands?

Type A and B power outlets

Which power adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands?

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

  • Plug Type A - The plug socket, technically known as a type A power outlet, is recognised by the two thin adjacent slots next to each other where the twin blades slide into.
  • Plug Type B - You can identify this wall outlet by 2 slots where the twin blades slide into with a semicircle shaped hole below for the slightly longer earthed pin.

A Type B plug adapter allows you to use a 120 volt clothes iron in The Cayman Islands, read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of using a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands with a travel adapter. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also have to use a power converter.  [4] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

One way to tell if your clothes iron supports a dual voltage power outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or handle. The location will vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron and could also state in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage models might change automatically, however other models will have a switch which allows you to operate between different regions.

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

Travelling to The Cayman Islands with a clothes iron

Can clothes irons go in your carry on to The Cayman Islands?

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 suggests that you should check that your airline which is taking you to The Cayman Islands 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 cords tightly around electric items such as clothes irons. 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 offers the most protection against bumps and knocks during your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for The Cayman Islands

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

Voltage converter

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

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 found in The Cayman Islands, but a more expensive and heavier power converter will convert the voltage of 120 volts from a Cayman Islands power outlet to work with a non-120 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

Can I use a clothes iron with a converter in The Cayman Islands?

The correct model of voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 120 volt power outlet used in The Cayman Islands. A power converter is more suitable for travellers who want to use their own domestic clothes iron, but it can be more expensive to purchase a power converter than it is to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. Also worth noting, a power converter is significantly heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable when travelling. [7] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands using a type B power adapter

How to use your clothes iron in The Cayman Islands with a Type B power charger.

  1. Ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 120 volt power outlet but if not then don't proceed because you may damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some dual voltage travel irons might sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron make sure you have set it to accept 120 volts - please consult the user guide to find out how to do this.
  2. You will need to bring a Type B plug adapter [4] if the shape of the power outlet used in The Cayman Islands won't take the plug of your clothes iron. This power adapter helps fit plugs from other countries into a power outlet found in The Cayman Islands simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 120 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by taking the Type B plug adapter and plugging it into the Cayman Islands power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 slots with a hole below for the ground pin.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Cayman Islands power outlet. The clothes iron is now ready for use. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands using a type B power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands using a type A power adapter

How to use your clothes iron in The Cayman Islands with a Type A power charger.

  1. Make sure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 120 volt power supply but if not then don't attempt these instructions because you might damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some dual voltage travel irons might sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using the iron make sure you have set it to accept 120 volts - please consult the owners manual to find out how to do this.
  2. These instructions assume that you're not already using a clothes iron with a Type A plug - if it does then you won't need a power adapter (but please check that your clothes iron can work with a 120 volt power outlet). You will need to bring a Type A plug adapter [6] if the shape of the power outlet used in The Cayman Islands won't take the plug of your clothes iron. This power adapter helps fit different plugs from other countries into a power outlet found in The Cayman Islands simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 120 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by taking the Type A plug adapter and plugging it into the Cayman Islands power outlet. You can identify this wall supply by 2 slots.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Cayman Islands power outlet. You can now turn on the iron for use in The Cayman Islands. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Cayman Islands using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Cayman Islands Wiki 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.