How do I use a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic?

Dominican Republic power outlet

Summary

Check your clothes iron can handle the voltage in The Dominican Republic:

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

If not then you can either:

  • Use a dual voltage travel iron [2] - you might still need a power adapter for The Dominican Republic however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.
  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing clothes iron and other applicances with a 110 volt Dominican Republic power outlet, however this is significantly heavier and more expensive than a dedicated travel clothes iron. A power converter will change the voltage but won't change the shape of the plug on your clothes iron to fit in the wall outlet used in The Dominican Republic, so please check that your power converter includes a power adapter for The Dominican Republic otherwise you will need to bring a seperate power adapter. Please note that your personal clothes iron might not be suited for travel and you could risk potential damage in transit. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your clothes iron won't handle 110 volts you run a risk of an electrical fire hazard, blowing a fuse or damage to your clothes iron. Before attempting to use your clothes iron in The Dominican Republic read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic

Will my clothes iron work in The Dominican Republic?

That depends on if your clothes iron can operate using the 110 volt power outlets in The Dominican Republic. If you're using either a dual voltage clothes iron or your clothes iron is designed to handle 110 volts and you have the appropriate power adapter then you should be able to use your clothes iron in The Dominican Republic. If not then you will need to consider purchasing either a power converter or a dual voltage travel iron [2], read our section on will a voltage converter work with a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [7] [AD]

The Dominican Republic power outlets and plug sockets

What voltage is used in The Dominican Republic?

The common residential voltage used in The Dominican Republic is 110 volts.

What is the frequency used in a Dominican Republic power outlet?

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

Which travel adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic?

Type A and B power outlets

Which travel adapter will you need to bring for using a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic?

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

  • Plug Type A - The plug socket, also called a type A power outlet, is recognised by the two thin adjacent slots next to each other.
  • Plug Type B - You can recognise the power outlet by 2 thin slots for live and neutral blades with a hole below for the slightly longer earth pin.

A Type B power adapter is suitable for powering a 110 volt clothes iron in The Dominican Republic; read the simple guide below for full details of using a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic. Please note that unless you that have a dual voltage clothes iron you will need to see if you also have 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 supports dual voltage is to check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug, base or handle of your clothes iron. This location might vary depending on the make or model of your clothes iron and could also be written on the box or in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage clothes irons might change automatically, however other models will have a button which allows you to change 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 Dominican Republic then you should be able to use your clothes iron with a Dominican Republic 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 Dominican Republic power outlet falls within the range shown on your clothes iron then you can use it in The Dominican Republic.
  • A larger range separated with a slash such as 100/240V indicates a dual voltage clothes iron capable of being used in The Dominican Republic or any other country.

Travelling to The Dominican Republic with a clothes iron

Can I carry on a clothes iron in my hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for clothes irons there are no restrictions when bringing a mains powered clothes iron in your hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA recommends that you should verify that the airline who is flying you to The Dominican Republic 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 cables tightly around 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 most protection against knocks and bumps during transit.   [10] [11] [AD]

Power converters for The Dominican Republic

Can you use your clothes iron with a voltage converter in The Dominican Republic?

The correct model of voltage transformer (or power converter) allows your clothes iron using a different voltage to operate with the 110 volt power outlet used in The Dominican Republic. Travellers wishing to use their own domestic clothes iron can use a power converter, but it might be more expensive to purchase a power converter than it is to buy a dedicated dual voltage travel iron [2]. A power converter is also substantially bulkier and heavier than a travel clothes iron making a power converter less suited for packing. [7] [AD]

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

Voltage converter

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

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 Dominican Republic, whereas a heavy and bulkier power converter will transform the voltage of 110 volts from a Dominican Republic power outlet to work with a non-110 volt clothes iron. [7] [AD]

How to use a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic using a type B power adapter

Instructions showing how to power a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic with a three pin Type B travel adapter.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or can work with a 110 volt power outlet - but if it doesn't then don't proceed because you may blow a fuse, damage your iron or create an electrical fire hazard. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure the switch is set to accept 110 volts - refer to the instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. If the plug on your clothes iron isn't the same shape as the outlet used in The Dominican Republic you will need to buy a Type B plug adapter [4]. The plug adapter will convert plugs on appliances from other countries for a power outlet found in The Dominican Republic by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of your clothes iron to work with a 110 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type B plug adapter in the Dominican Republic power outlet. You can recognise the plug outlet by the 2 slots next to each other where the short live and neutral plug outlet blades go with a single hole below for the long earthed pin.
  4. Plug in your clothes iron into the Type B plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Dominican Republic power outlet.
  6. The clothes iron can now be switched on. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic using a type B power adapter

How to use a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic using a type A power adapter

How to power a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic by using a Type A travel adapter.

  1. Check that your iron is either a dual voltage travel iron [2] or works with a 110 volt power supply - but if not then don't proceed because you might create an electrical fire hazard, blow a fuse or damage your iron. Before using a travel iron which can toggle between different voltages ensure you have set it to accept 110 volts, refer to the instructions to find out how to do this.
  2. Please check 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). You will need to buy a Type A plug adapter [6] if the type of power outlet which is used in The Dominican Republic doesn't take the plug of your clothes iron. The Type A plug adapter is designed to fit plugs on appliances from other countries into a power outlet used in The Dominican Republic 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 supply.
  3. Start the process by inserting the Type A plug adapter in the Dominican Republic power outlet. The power supply, sometimes called a Type A power outlet [5], is identified by two slots parallel to each other for live and neutral blades.
  4. Next plug in the clothes iron into the Type A plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Dominican Republic power outlet. The iron can now be used in The Dominican Republic. [AD]
How to use a clothes iron in The Dominican Republic using a type A power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - The Dominican Republic country 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.