Electric accessories

Bathroom accessories; i.e., electric toothbrush, hair dryer, electric shaver: Use a circuit protected with a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI). Note: Most standard bathroom circuits are designed for hair dryers using no more than 1000 watts. Check the label on your hair dryer, it may be too strong for a "normal" bathroom circuit.
Microwave ovens: A separate 20 amp "dedicated" circuit on its own fuse or circuit breaker.
Dishwasher: Needs a separate 20 amp "dedicated" circuit.
Larger vacuum cleaners and irons: Plug directly into a 20 amp receptacle--usually found in kitchen and utility rooms.
TV, stereo, VCR, audio tape system: Check the wattage rating on each unit and limit load to 500 watts on a single room circuit. Add a separate circuit if necessary.
Electric blankets: Plug directly into an adequate receptacle with a 15 or 20 amp fuse or circuit breaker.
Personal computer system: A separate "dedicated" circuit on its own fuse or circuit breaker.
Portable electric space heater: Plug directly into a 3-pronged, grounded receptacle with a 15 or 20 amp fuse or circuit breaker. (1000 watt limit on any 15 amp circuit. 1500 watt limit on any 20 amp circuit.)
Outdoor equipment: Ground fault interrupter (GFI).
Home workshop tools: Purchase "double insulated" power tools.
Portable hot tub or spa: Needs a "dedicated" circuit with a GFI circuit breaker. Requires a 125 amp, or larger, electrical panel.
Kiln or arc welder: 220 volt circuit which may require a 200 amp, or larger, electrical panel.
Safe Extension Cord Practices
When purchasing an extension cord, select a cord which is rated for the desired use, for example, a desk lamp, a 13 amp portable saw or a computer.
Make sure that the extension cord is plugged into a properly wired receptacle.
Utility extension cords plugged into a ground fault interrupter receptacle for yard or power tools should follow the guide on the extension cord package.
One standard, indoor-use extension cord to connect a table or floor lamp to a receptacle.
Laptop computers
Virtually all laptop computers (including those with internal power supplies) will handle either 220 or 120 volts fine, however you will need to make sure that you have the plug that matches the outlet for the country you are going to.
Radios
Radios also tend to be interchangeable from country to country. The exact FM range being used can vary from country to country though, so you may not be able to access all stations. In the US, only odd channels (88.1,88.3, 100.1 etc) are used. A radio intended for the US market will not work correctly in most other countries. Japan, in particular, has an FM band from 76 MHz to 90 MHz rather than the more common 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz. The countries of the former Soviet Union also use a similar band. For the medium wave band, channel spacings (the difference between each valid frequency) can be 9kHz or 10kHz (for USA). Some digital radios will have a switch or setting to choose which channel spacing is used. Without this they will not work correctly outside their intended market. Old-fashioned analog-dial tuners don't have this limitation.
Mobile phones and digital cameras
Chargers for these may work with both 110V and 240V systems, though you may still need an adaptor plug or have to use the shaver socket. You may be able to get a second charger for the other voltage system, or even a dual voltage charger designed for both systems. However, your mobile phone handset may not be compatible with the country's network, or you may be limited to certain cellular providers.