Microwave ovens have become an essential kitchen appliance for our daily cooking. But, like all power-hungry electrical devices, they require much energy to work. This sometimes trips the breaker.
If your microwave is tripping the breaker, it may be due to circuit overload, faulty microwave, or defective electrical component.
Keep on reading to find out why microwave oven trips circuit breaker and how to fix it.
Common problems with microwave ovens
Despite the use of microwaves in our daily cooking, it sometimes encounters some problems that can affect their performance.
Some of these problems include:
- Uneven heating
- Faulty turntable motor
- Unresponsive buttons
- Faulty door latch.
Reasons why your microwave keeps tripping the breaker
Circuit breakers are rated in amps and are designed to carry a certain number of loads. If it carries more load than rated or there is a faulty appliance on the circuit, it will draw more currents causing the breaker to trip.
So the major reasons your microwave keeps blowing the breaker include:
1. Overloaded circuit breaker
Every circuit breaker on the electrical panel has a specific amp load it can safely handle. If you plug more appliances on the circuit than rated, it will trip the breaker.
A microwave draws between 12 and 15 amps and should be on a dedicated 20-amp circuit breaker connected to the main breaker box. You should never plug more appliances into a dedicated circuit for safety purposes.
2. Defective microwave components (turntable motor, capacitor, or switch)
If a certain component of your microwave is faulty, it can trip the circuit breaker. Defective components, such as a faulty capacitor, door switch or turntable motor draw more current than rated.
This excessive current can lead to circuit overload and subsequently tripping your circuit breaker.
To see if there is a defective component that is tripping your breaker, unplug the oven and plug it into a higher dedicated circuit such as a 30 amp breaker.
If the appliance trips the circuit again, then the microwave is faulty and you will need an expert to repair it.
3. Faulty wiring
When there is loose connection or partial contact along the electrical circuit, it can result to a short circuit and tripped breaker.
Inspect the socket to see if there are burnt parts or wire, or if the plug is hard to unplug.
If you cannot do this on your own, call a certified electrician to help you troubleshoot the cause.
4. Power surge
External factors such as lightning strike or power surge from the electrical grid can also cause microwave related circuit breaker trip.
You can install surge protector on your electrical outlets to help safeguard your appliances from voltage spike.
When to Call an electrician
If you have tried all the troubleshooting tips mentioned in this article and your microwave keeps tripping the circuit breaker, it may be time to call a professional.
An experienced technician will have the expertise to diagnose and repair any issues with your microwave. It is important not to attempt any complicated repairs yourself, as microwaves can be dangerous if mishandled.
An expert will ensure that your appliance is repaired safely, giving you peace of mind.
Conclusion
From the article above, I hope you have been able to understand the reasons behind your microwave tripping the breaker?
This is mostly due to circuit overload, malfunctioning components and bad wiring system.
Always call an electrician if you can’t fix it yourself.
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