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    memphissteve1's Avatar
    memphissteve1 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 4, 2013, 10:15 AM
    My microwave is tripping the breaker instantly
    My microwave trips the 20 amp breaker so I go down stairs and trip the breaker and it instantly trips again... the microwave is on its own 12-2 20amp breaker as I even changed the breaker with a new 20 amp breaker and still does the same thing.When I unplug the microwave and trip the breaker the breaker doesn't trip so I know the wiring is correct and not touching any metal but I don't know what else to do to get my microwave working
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #2

    Jul 4, 2013, 10:49 AM
    It seems kind of obvious, but have you tried the microwave on another circuit?

    When I had this problem the answer was a problem in the wall plug.
    memphissteve1's Avatar
    memphissteve1 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jul 4, 2013, 11:29 AM
    Yes I did and it still trips that breaker also
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #4

    Jul 4, 2013, 11:32 AM
    There are two electricians around - hopefully one shows up.

    I'd be afraid my house is going to burn down every time I use the microwave!
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #5

    Jul 4, 2013, 12:05 PM
    A microwave uses a lot of power. If you are tripping breakers, you have an issue with the unit, probably in the magnetron, the radiation generator. They are not worth repairing unless under warranty. I recently had a MW repaired under warranty and they charged Kitchen Aide more then I paid tor the unit. I will assume this is an on counter MW. HD, Lowe's and HH Gregg sell units for $100-150 that would be cheaper then repair.
    drtom4444's Avatar
    drtom4444 Posts: 3,282, Reputation: 145
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    #6

    Jul 5, 2013, 06:28 AM
    You can take it apart and check the magnetron for a dead short and look around until you can find the part or wire that's shorting out. The magnetron has an overload in it that should trip and prevent it from tripping a breaker. More than likely, what you have is a loose wire somewhere touching the cabinet. First, take your ohm meter and read from the hot prong (The small one that goes on right-hand side of receptacle.) to ground. If it reads zero you have a dead short to the cabinet. It could be a very simple and easy fix, you will never know until you try. Learn to use a meter and track down problems. It's fun to fix your own equipment. Look at these: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...e%20Manual.pdf
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...Electronic.pdf
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