Which travel adapter do I need for using a clothes iron in Honduras?

Honduran power outlet

Summary

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

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need a power adapter for Honduras 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 110 volt Honduran power outlet, however this is considerably bulkier, heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer will change the voltage but not the actual shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the power outlet used in Honduras, so please check that your voltage transformer includes the correct power adapter for Honduras otherwise you will still need to purchase a seperate power adapter. Please be aware your own existing clothes iron might not be suited for travel and you risk potential damage in your suitcase. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 110 volts you run the risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Before using your clothes iron in Honduras please check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Honduras

Will my clothes iron work in Honduras?

That will depend on if your clothes iron can operate using the 110 volts as used in Honduras:

Honduras power outlets and plug sockets

What is the voltage in Honduras?

Power outlets in Honduras are 110 volts.

What is the frequency used with a Honduran power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current from a Honduran power outlet is 60Hz. [8]

Which travel adapter will you need to bring to use a clothes iron in Honduras?

Type A and B power outlets

Which travel adapter will you need to bring to use a clothes iron in Honduras?

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

  • Plug Type A - You can identify this plug socket by the 2 adjacent slots next to each other for live and neutral blades.
  • Plug Type B - You can identify this power socket by the 2 slots next to each other with a single hole below for the longer earth pin.

A recommended travel adapter to bring for using a 110 volt clothes iron in Honduras is a Type B power adapter; read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of using a power adapter for Honduras. Note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you might also need to use a power converter.  [4] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

Is my clothes iron dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your clothes iron will accept a dual voltage outlet is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or handle of your clothes iron. The location will vary depending on the make and model of your clothes iron, it should also state on the box. Some dual voltage clothes irons can change automatically, however other models will feature a button which allows you to toggle between different regions depending on which country you are visiting.

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

Travelling to Honduras with a clothes iron

Can you carry on a clothes iron in your 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 luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA also suggests that you should check that your airline who is flying you to Honduras will allow a clothes iron 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 intend to pack a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to use hard carry on luggage as this provides the greatest protection against bumps and knocks during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Honduras

Can you use a clothes iron with a power converter in Honduras?

The correct model of power converter (or voltage transformer) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 110 volt power outlet used in Honduras. A power converter is more suitable for travellers wishing to use their own domestic clothes iron, but it can be more costly to buy a power converter than it is to purchase a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. A power converter is also substantially heavier and bulkier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suitable when packing compared to a travel clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

A lightweight, small and cheap power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet found in Honduras, but a heavier and more expensive power converter transforms the voltage of 110 volts from a Honduran power outlet to work with a non-110 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in Honduras using a type B power adapter

How to power a clothes iron in Honduras with a three pin Type B power charger.

  1. Please ensure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 110 volt power outlet; if it doesn't then don't proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a dual voltage travel iron ensure the switch is set to accept 110 volts; consult the owners manual for more details on how to do this.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet used in Honduras you will need to buy a Type B plug adapter [4]. The plug adapter will fit different plugs from other countries for use in an electrical outlet found in Honduras 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 110 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type B plug adapter into the wall outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two thin slots for live and neutral blades with a semicircular shaped hole below for the grounded pin.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Honduran power outlet. The iron can now be used in Honduras. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Honduras using a type B power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in Honduras using a type A power adapter

A step-by-step guide showing how to use your clothes iron in Honduras using a Type A travel adapter.

  1. Please ensure that the iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 110 volt power outlet; but if it doesn't then don't proceed because you could create an electrical fire hazard, damage your iron or blow a fuse. Before using a dual voltage travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure you have set it to accept 110 volts to use in Honduras; consult the owners manual for more details on how to do this.
  2. These instructions assume that you don't already own 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 110 volt power outlet). So, if the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet used in Honduras you'll need to use a Type A plug adapter [6]. The power adapter will fit different plugs from other countries for use with an electrical outlet used in Honduras 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 110 volt outlet.
  3. Start by taking the Type A plug adapter and inserting it into the wall outlet. This plug outlet (sometimes known as the Type A power outlet [5]) can be identified by the two thin slots where the twin plug outlet blades go.
  4. After that plug in the clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Honduran power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on the iron for use in Honduras. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Honduras using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Honduras Wikipedia 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.