Using your clothes iron in Saint Martin

St Martins power outlet

Summary

First check that your clothes iron can work in Saint Martin:

If not then either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need a suitable power adapter for Saint Martin 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 230 volt St Martins power outlet, however this is substantially bulkier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter changes the voltage but not the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the types of power outlet used in Saint Martin, therefore please check that the power converter has a power adapter for Saint Martin otherwise you will also need to bring another power adapter. Be aware that your existing clothes iron might not be suitable for travel and you could risk damage in transit. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 230 volts you run the potential risk of damage to your clothes iron, an electrical fire hazard or a blown fuse. Prior to using your clothes iron in Saint Martin check the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in Saint Martin

Will my clothes iron work in Saint Martin?

This depends on if your clothes iron can operate using the 230 volt power outlets in Saint Martin. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron is designed to operate using 230 volts and you have the appropriate power adapter then you can use it in Saint Martin. If not then you will need to consider buying either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2]. Read the guide on will a power converter work with a domestic clothes iron in Saint Martin for help deciding which option is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Saint Martin power outlets and plug sockets

What mains voltage is used in Saint Martin?

The common residential voltage in Saint Martin is 230 volts.

What is the electrical frequency used in a St Martins power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current in a St Martins power outlet is 60 Hz. [8]

Which travel adapter will you need when using a clothes iron in Saint Martin?

Type C and F power outlets

Which travel adapter will you need when using a clothes iron in Saint Martin?

There are two types of power outlets used in Saint Martin, these are type F and C with the primary power outlets being type F:

  • Plug Type C - This ungrounded plug socket (known as a Europlug) is identified by the 2 round adjacent holes for live and neutral.
  • Plug Type F - You can recognise the wall socket by two large holes 19 mm next to each other and a pair of metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.

A recommended travel adapter to bring to use a 230 volt clothes iron in Saint Martin is a Type F plug adapter - read the step-by-step guide below for full details of how to use a clothes iron in Saint Martin with a plug adapter. Please note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to see if you also need to use a power converter.  [6] [9] [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 check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, handle or the base of your clothes iron. This location will depend on the make and model of your clothes iron and should also state in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage clothes irons will change automatically, however other irons will feature a button which allows you to operate between different voltage ranges depending on which country you are in.

  • A specific number such as 110V indicates a single voltage clothes iron. If this number matches the 230 volts used in Saint Martin then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a St Martins 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 230 volts used in a St Martins power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you should be able to use it in Saint Martin.
  • A larger voltage range separated with a slash such as 100/240V indicates a dual voltage clothes iron capable of being used in Saint Martin or any other country.

Travelling to Saint Martin with a clothes iron

Can a clothes iron go in carry on hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there is no restriction on carrying a mains powered clothes iron in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also suggests that you should check that the airline which is flying you to Saint Martin 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 recommends wrapping cables 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 advisable to bring hard carry on luggage as this provides the greatest protection against drops and knocks during your journey.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for Saint Martin

Can I use my clothes iron with a voltage converter for Saint Martin?

A suitable power converter (or voltage transformer) will allow your clothes iron using a different voltage to work using a 230 volt power outlet used in Saint Martin. A power converter is suitable for travellers wishing to use their existing clothes iron, but it could be more expensive to purchase a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. Also worth noting, a power converter is considerably bulkier and heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing. [7] [AD]

What is the difference between a plug adapter and a power converter for Saint Martin?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a plug adapter and a power converter for Saint Martin?

A lightweight, cheap and small power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to slot into a power outlet in Saint Martin, but a heavy and bulkier power converter converts the voltage of 230 volts from a St Martins power outlet to work with a non-230 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

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

A guide showing how to power your clothes iron in Saint Martin with a two pinned Type C power adapter.

  1. Ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power outlet but if it doesn't then do not proceed as you might damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some travel irons will typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure you have set it to accept 230 volts, consult the user guide for more information on where the switch is found.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet used in Saint Martin you'll need to bring a Type C plug adapter [4]. This Type C plug adapter will fit different plugs on appliances from other countries into an electrical outlet used in Saint Martin by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Begin the process by taking the Type C plug adapter and inserting it in the St Martins power outlet. This unearthed plug supply is identified by two adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  4. After that plug in your clothes iron into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the St Martins power outlet. The iron is now ready for use. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Saint Martin using a type C power adapter

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

How to power a clothes iron in Saint Martin using a Type F travel charger.

  1. Please ensure that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power supply but if not then do not proceed as you could damage your iron, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some irons might typically have a switch to toggle between voltages, before operating the iron ensure the switch is set to accept 230 volts, consult the instructions for more information on where this switch is.
  2. If the plug shape on your clothes iron isn't the same type of outlet used in Saint Martin you'll need to buy a Type F plug adapter [6]. The Type F plug adapter helps fit different plugs on appliances from other countries for an electrical outlet used in Saint Martin simply by changing the shape of the plug, but the adapter doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the clothes iron to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Begin the process by taking the Type F plug adapter and plugging it into the wall outlet. The circular plug supply, sometimes known as a Schuko plug, can be identified by two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral along with a pair of thin metal grounding clips above and below.
  4. Plug in the clothes iron into the Type F plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the St Martins power outlet.
  6. The iron is now ready for use. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in Saint Martin using a type F power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - St Martins country page on Wikipedia.org
  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.