[Pixie96]

Does a microwave require its own circuit? I have just been told it's in the Code.

[JudyKayTee]

Does a microwave require its own circuit? I have just been told it's in the Code.

The Code is presumably not universal. Where are you?

In my Town the microwave has to use a wall plug which has its own breaker built in, in addition to the breaker box.

[stanfortyman]

In my Town the microwave has to use a wall plug which has its own breaker built in, in addition to the breaker box.

Where in NY is this code? I've never heard of it.
If you are referring to a GFI receptacle that is NOT a circuit breaker, and is only required if the receptacle is serving the counter top.


Typically, if a microwave is randomly on the counter it is just plugged into the counter top circuit. If it is in a dedicated space or built in place it should/must have a dedicated circuit.

[JudyKayTee]

Where in NY is this code? I've never heard of it.
If you are referring to a GFI receptacle that is NOT a circuit breaker, and is only required if the receptacle is serving the counter top.


Typically, if a microwave is randomly on the counter it is just plugged into the counter top circuit. If it is in a dedicated space or built in place it should/must have a dedicated circuit.

I'm not comfortable posting where I live - yes, it's a plug with what I thought was a breaker. I have the same kind in my bathrooms. It has room for two plugs and has a light that goes out when overloaded and then you push a button in to reset it.

I had remodeling done when my husband died and the electrical inspector was here to check the plugs and the hard wired smoke detector.

[mike 165278]

The plug you are referring to is a GFCI receptacle. It is NOT a breaker and will not provide overcurrent protection. It trips when there is a ground fault. (required in Kitchens and baths)The microwave does not need to be on a dedicated circuit unless it is a built in.

[stanfortyman]

I'm not comfortable posting where I live - yes, it's a plug with what I thought was a breaker. I have the same kind in my bathrooms. It has room for two plugs and has a light that goes out when overloaded and then you push a button in to reset it.

I see you are just going by what you had done in your own home.

This is a GFCI, or GFI, receptacle. It is a ground fault device which monitors the current balance and trips if there is an imbalance. This is NOT a breaker that trips on an overload.

[JudyKayTee]

I see you are just going by what you had done in your own home.

This is a GFCI, or GFI, receptacle. It is a ground fault device which monitors the current balance and trips if there is an imbalance. This is NOT a breaker that trips on an overload.

I looked at the work order. This is what it says: "This GFCI circuit breaker." As a non-expert when it says "GFCI circuit breaker" I assume it is, in fact, a circuit breaker.

I stand corrected.

[stanfortyman]

It's odd that an electrician would write that, unless of course he did in fact install a GFI breaker, which does exist. Those serve both functions, but is in fact a circuit breaker that goes in the panel. What you described is clearly a GFI receptacle.

Kind of a shame that a real electrician doesn't know the difference. :(

[tkrussell]

And a GFI receptacle is not to be confused with a Ground Fault Circuit Breaker, which will do more that just a GFI receptacle.

Judy, you may have had a new standard circuit breaker installed with a new circuit that serves a GFI receptacle, that has the test and reset buttons on the front.

But please do not confuse both.

So, to answer the original question, does a microwave require its own circuit. Well it depends.

IF there are the two required kitchen small appliance circuits at the location of the microwave, then no, it can use that circuit.


If the small appliance circuits do not exist, then yes, a new dedicated circuit is needed.

Now, even if there are the two appliance circuits, AND you would want to use that circuit for another appliance at the same time as the microwave, then a dedicated circuit would be recommended.

And lastly, but ironically, the first thing to be done, is do what the manufacturers instructions state.

The wise decision will be to install a new dedicated circuit for the microwave. Whether the unit is stand alone, or built in has no bearing on the requirement.

[JudyKayTee]

It's odd that an electrician would write that, unless of course he did in fact install a GFI breaker, which does exist. Those serve both functions, but is in fact a circuit breaker that goes in the panel. What you described is clearly a GFI receptacle.

Kind of a shame that a real electrician doesn't know the difference. :(

Thanks - I watched him install it (sort of), see what's on the contract, can see the plug and know the electrical inspector looked at it. Yes, he was a licensed electrician.

Other than that -?

[mike 165278]

Judy sorry, but Stan is correct. What was described is a GFCI outlet.

[JudyKayTee]

Judy sorry, but Stan is correct. What was described is a GFCI outlet.

I'm not going to argue this with you. All I'm repeating is what is on the work order.

Maybe it's a GFCI outlet. Maybe it's what's described on the work order. I don't know. I am going to speak to the electrician. It is apparent that I was charged for what I did not get.

I will say that when I was first widowed and had questions about what various workmen told me, "TKrussell" did provide some valuable info. AMHD was a big help to me.

EDIT: I just got off the phone with the Town Building Inspector. Now it gets more confusing. He said it IS a GFCI circuit breaker according to his records. It also is on a dedicated line (if that matters). So apparently both my electrician and the Town are lying to me. I will find out.

[tkrussell]

The words get in the way, I often find. I suspect you will find all is well, you got what was contracted, and there is no problem.

I have to ask is the inspector only an electrical inspector, or a building inspector that does the electrical?

I have found that building inspectors often are not up to speed on all the terminology used by electrician, and much of the actual electrical methods of wiring.

I went for a pool permit, in ground concrete, which is the most complicated installation possible, in a small swanky town in Connecticut, and attempted to go over how and what exactly I was going to ground the steel mesh in the pool and deck, all ladders , diving boards, etc, and he said

"STOP...... Look,I am a building inspector, and I know the basics, house wiring etc,.....your the pro, I have to let you determine how to do this installation. Your signature on the permit will carry any liability to you. I will come out when your done and do a general inspection."


I said thank you sir, here is your fee, I will invite you out when there is water in the pool, bring your trunks.

My point is go ask with eyes wide open. I get from your other posts you may not have a temper, but do have the patience to gather info and go from there.

Let us know how you make out.

I find this discussion very informative for other readers regarding understanding what they purchased.

Now what do I do, continue this thread where poor Pixie asked a simple question, or move this to it's own thread, somehow.

[JudyKayTee]

I have to ask is the inspector only an electrical inspector, or a building inspector that does the electrical?

Bingo! Back to the topic on hand. And thanks -

[joypulv]

I'm just curious about my last house, nothing to do with GFIs. The house was 100 amps. The kitchen had a 70 amp subpanel with several 20 amp plugs. With nothing running but the fridge, microwave, a few lights here and there, and my LCD TV 25' away in the living room on a 15 amp circuit, the TV would turn into several bands of color when the microwave was on.

[mike 165278]

Who knows. You might have a GFCI breaker and a GFCI outlet on the same circuit. For curiosities sake, let us know how you make out. Best of luck to you, and sorry for the loss of your Husband.

[tkrussell]

My guess:

the TV would turn into several bands of color when the microwave was on.

Will be the units were close, and a magnetic field, or the RF radio frequency, was too strong from the microwave affecting the TV.

[JudyKayTee]

I'm just curious about my last house, nothing to do with GFIs. The house was 100 amps. The kitchen had a 70 amp subpanel with several 20 amp plugs. With nothing running but the fridge, microwave, a few lights here and there, and my LCD TV 25' away in the living room on a 15 amp circuit, the TV would turn into several bands of color when the microwave was on.

Joy, if I had had a clue that you know any of this stuff I would have called you.

I studied law, spent a lot of my time with my head in books. I know zip about electricity - and, for that matter, cars.

When I had the whole house generator installed and the installation guy and electrician talked to me I know I looked like a deer in the headlights. Eventually they asked me what I wanted to run off the generator. I said "Everything." They said OK and I went back to being blonde and vague.

Up to now I have said if I ever remarry it will be to an auto mechanic. Now I'm thinking electrician.

[JudyKayTee]

Who knows. You might have a GFCI breaker and a GFCI outlet on the same circuit. For curiosities sake, let us know how you make out. Best of luck to you, and sorry for the loss of your Husband.

Thank you - that's a kind remark. He was a really good guy.

I sit on one of the Town Boards so I'll ask the next time I'm at a meeting. I get the distinct feeling they were saying one thing and I was hearing another.

[mike 165278]

I'm just curious about my last house, nothing to do with GFIs. The house was 100 amps. The kitchen had a 70 amp subpanel with several 20 amp plugs. With nothing running but the fridge, microwave, a few lights here and there, and my LCD TV 25' away in the living room on a 15 amp circuit, the TV would turn into several bands of color when the microwave was on.

Maybe a neutral issue, or 'noise' (off frequency sine wave) on the line created by the microwave motor.