Easy question for people who are handy around the house

Dunder

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out of nowhere, my microwave has started tripping the circuit breaker in my main breaker box. It's on a dedicated breaker, nothing has changed electronically. It's not old

Background: had my kitchen completely remodeled 3 years sgo, all new appliances, all new wiring & breakers. The contractor was awesome & he did excellent quality work in all regards.

What are potential causes? What should I do to troubleshoot?

Thanks in advance
 

playzwtrux

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I think it really could only be one of a few things:

1) the microwave is bad, has a short in it somewhere, going bad, etc... - doesn't matter how old, electronics aren't built like they use to be :) - most likely
2) bad circuit breaker - it's true, this does happen from time to time.
3) there's something wrong in the wiring - prolly the least likely
 

cover2

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out of nowhere, my microwave has started tripping the circuit breaker in my main breaker box. It's on a dedicated breaker, nothing has changed electronically. It's not old

Background: had my kitchen completely remodeled 3 years sgo, all new appliances, all new wiring & breakers. The contractor was awesome & he did excellent quality work in all regards.

What are potential causes? What should I do to troubleshoot?

Thanks in advance
If it is knocking off the kitchen circuit, take it to another location in the house and plug it in and see if it trips that circuit. If so, sounds like a bad appliance.
 

crosscreekcooter

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If nothing has changed the first thing I would suspect would be a bad breaker. Somewhat common, cheap fix.
 

Dunder

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Are you doing anytime to the microwave for this to happen. If it happens as soon as you reset the breaker then lightning probably took out the "mov" that's across your input inside the microwave . More details please.
Just cooking food. It doesn't happen every time, but has happened 5 or 6 times. No consistency. No rhyme or reason as far as I can tell.
 

Dunder

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If it is knocking off the kitchen circuit, take it to another location in the house and plug it in and see if it trips that circuit. If so, sounds like a bad appliance.
It is not knocking anything else out. It's built in, so I can't move it... but now that you mention it, I can run an extension chord to another outlet, because it is not hard wired, there is an outlet inside the cabinet. So I can test it on a different outlet! Thanks!
 

G 2

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It is not knocking anything else out. It's built in, so I can't move it... but now that you mention it, I can run an extension chord to another outlet, because it is not hard wired, there is an outlet inside the cabinet. So I can test it on a different outlet! Thanks!
You need to make sure it's a different circuit, not just different outlet.
 

crosscreekcooter

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You need to make sure it's a different circuit, not just different outlet.

He said it was on a dedicated circuit. I'm still going with a bad breaker. It could also be a loose lug on the breaker or buss bar. Report back after you figure it out.
 

URGatorBait

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He said it was on a dedicated circuit. I'm still going with a bad breaker. It could also be a loose lug on the breaker or buss bar. Report back after you figure it out.
Should also make sure that breaker is properly sized for that circuit, dedicated or not, shouldn't he?

Edit: And Gren already spoke to it :lol:
 

Detroitgator

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I can't believe how crappy breakers have become in last 5-10 years. I thought I had a water heater issue. Turned out to be a breaker put in about 4 years ago as part of remodel. Replaced it with new breaker... that was bad out of the gate! Got second new breaker, no problem since. Light bulb quality is crap too... I can't tell you how often I have little 45w floods go bad.
 

NVGator

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Did you figure it out or do you need me to provide an opinion?
 

Gatordiddy

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Did you figure it out or do you need me to provide an opinion?

I'd like to hear what you have to say...
In the meantime make sure you always follow the instructions:

latest
 

crosscreekcooter

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also check the cable connection at the receptacle to make sure the screws are tight.
 

NVGator

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I'd like to hear what you have to say...
I'm with Cooter on it being a bad breaker. I've also seen a random garage outlet tied into a kitchen outlet without no one ever knowing till something like this happens.

I'd also question the micro cord.
 

crosscreekcooter

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I'm with Cooter on it being a bad breaker. I've also seen a random garage outlet tied into a kitchen outlet without no one ever knowing till something like this happens.

I'd also question the micro cord.
By code, all garage outlets are supposed to be on a gfi (except the door operator)
 

crosscreekcooter

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That code has only been around since NEC 2008 and this is a remodel job.

But it would be interesting to see if the handyman doubled up in the panel because breaker space in his panel box. This is my New Choice for # 1. :)
Good point on the remodel/double up on the breaker possibility. Metro Atlanta required it and basements on gfi since the early nineties so I just kinda assume it. Biggest problem with that is people like to keep a fridge or freezer in the garage and if it trips you suddenly lose a lot of food.
 
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NVGator

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If he had a garage this could be a good possibility because kitchens and garages share a common wall a lot of the time. At anyrate we are putting in more effort than the original poster so I'm waiting to hear from him.
Aren't you glad I brought up the garage?
 

NVGator

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