Which travel adapter will I need for using a clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands?

British Virgin Islands power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can handle the voltage in The British Virgin Islands:

  • If your clothes iron can run on 110 volts or can support dual voltage (how to check) then you'll only need to bring the correct power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your clothes iron will not fit.

If not then:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need to use the correct power adapter for The British Virgin Islands however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this enables you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 110 volt British Virgin Islands power outlet, however this is significantly heavier, bulkier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but not the actual shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the wall outlet used in The British Virgin Islands, so please check that the voltage transformer comes with a suitable power adapter for The British Virgin Islands otherwise you will still need to bring another power adapter. Also worth noting that your domestic clothes iron might not be suitable for travel and you risk damage in transit. [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 attempting to use your clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands please read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands

Will my clothes iron work in The British Virgin Islands?

It depends on if your clothes iron is designed to handle the 110 volts used in The British Virgin Islands:

The British Virgin Islands power outlets and plug sockets

What is the electrical frequency used in a British Virgin Islands power outlet?

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

What mains voltage is used in The British Virgin Islands?

The residential voltage used in The British Virgin Islands is 110 volts.

Which power adapter will you need to bring to use a clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands?

Type A and B power outlets

Which power adapter will you need to bring to use a clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands?

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

  • Plug Type A - The plug outlet (technically known as the type A power outlet) can be identified by the 2 adjacent slots next to each other.
  • Plug Type B - The plug outlet (technically known as a type B power outlet) can be identified by the 2 slots for live and neutral blades with a semicircular shaped hole below for the earthed pin.

A recommended travel adapter to bring for using a 110 volt clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands is a Type B power adapter; read the step-by-step instructions below for full details of using a plug adapter for The British Virgin Islands. Be aware that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to see if you also have to bring a voltage converter.  [4] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage travel irons

How can I tell if my clothes iron is dual voltage?

One way to tell if your clothes iron supports dual voltage is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or the handle of the clothes iron. The location will vary depending on the make and model of your clothes iron, it could also state on the box. Some dual voltage models might change automatically, however other irons will feature a switch which allows you to toggle between different voltages.

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

Travelling to The British Virgin Islands with a clothes iron

Can you carry on a clothes iron to The British Virgin Islands in your 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 suggests that you should check that the airline who is taking you to The British Virgin 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 recommends wrapping wires tightly around electric items such as clothes irons. If you do intend to bring a fragile or expensive clothes iron in your hand held luggage then it is advisable to bring hard carry on luggage as this offers the greatest protection against drops and knocks during your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for The British Virgin Islands

Do you need a power converter for The British Virgin Islands to use a clothes iron?

A suitable power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow a clothes iron using a different voltage to work with the 110 volt power outlet used in The British Virgin Islands. A power converter is suitable for travellers who want to bring their existing 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]. In addition, a travel clothes iron can be substantially lighter and smaller than a power converter making a travel clothes iron more suitable when packing in luggage. [7] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

A heavy and bulky power converter will transform the voltage of 110 volts from a British Virgin Islands power outlet to work with a non-110 volt clothes iron, whereas a more lightweight and cheaper power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit into a power outlet in The British Virgin Islands. [7] [AD]

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

How to use your clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands by using a three pin Type B power charger.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 110 volt power supply but if it doesn't then do not attempt these instructions 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 the 110 volt setting for use in The British Virgin Islands - please refer to the user guide to find out how to do this.
  2. If the type of power outlet used in The British Virgin Islands isn't the same shape as the plug on your clothes iron you will need to buy a Type B plug adapter [4]. The plug adapter will adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for use with a power outlet used in The British Virgin Islands by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 110 volt supply.
  3. Begin by plugging the Type B plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by two thin slots with a single hole below for the longer ground pin.
  4. Then plug in the clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the British Virgin Islands power outlet.
  6. You can now turn on the iron for use in The British Virgin Islands. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands using a type B power adapter

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

How to power a clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands with a Type A power adapter.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 110 volt power supply but if it doesn't then do not attempt these instructions because you may 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 make sure you have set it to accept 110 volts for use in The British Virgin Islands - please refer to the user guide to find out where this switch is located.
  2. This guide assumes 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 you will still need to 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 The British Virgin Islands you'll need to use a Type A plug adapter [6]. The power adapter will help adapt different plugs on appliances from other countries for a power outlet found in The British Virgin Islands by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 110 volt supply.
  3. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type A plug adapter into the British Virgin Islands power outlet. You can identify the plug supply by two thin slots parallel to each other.
  4. Next plug in your clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the British Virgin Islands power outlet. The clothes iron should now be ready to be used in The British Virgin Islands. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The British Virgin Islands using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - The British Virgin 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.