View Full Version : Microwave oven on AFGI circuit
bverity
Sep 19, 2011, 08:46 AM
We just had the basement finished and code requires that we have AFGI circuits becaue of a bedroom issue? The new microwave oven keeps tripping the circuit. I have taken the oven back in case it was faulty. Are some microwae ovens better in this regard than other?
joypulv
Sep 19, 2011, 08:54 AM
There was nothing wrong with the microwave. Old ones ran around 900 watts and new ones are 1300 or so. They draw a lot of power. You don't have enough amps on that circuit. You sound unsure of what is going on so call the electrician back to put the microwave on it's own circuit, and go buy another microwave.
Stratmando
Sep 19, 2011, 09:45 AM
I would remove the Arc Fault if only for the Microwave. The Nature of the Electronics in a Microwave MAY trip Arc Faults.
tkrussell
Sep 19, 2011, 10:14 AM
I am not sure how Joy knows the load is too great for your circuit.
If for some reason you have a microwave in a bedroom, the receptacle needs to be AFCI protected.
If the unit is in an area that can be considered as a kitchenette, it does not need to be arc fault protected.
Exactly what is the situation, where is this unit located?
joypulv
Sep 20, 2011, 12:06 AM
Apologies to the electricians.
Kyle_in_rure
Sep 21, 2011, 06:28 PM
I could understand the sophisticated electronics in a microwave tripping an AFCI. However, you might simply be overloading your circuit ,depending on what else is plugged in. What is the microwave's amps/watts rating? Is this a 15 or a 20 amp circuit? What else is plugged in on the circuit?