Microwave problem

[RVRAC]

My microwave keeps tripping the breaker.  It started all of the sudden.  The breaker, a 20 amp,  trips as soon as I turn it on.  Any ideas what might be causing this?

 

[RVRAC]

One more thing, I turn everything off to see if would make a difference but it did not. ????

 

[Gizmo100]

I would guess the microwave is having a issue.

I assume it's on it's own breaker.

And the breaker your referring to the breaker in the panel.

 

[Jim Godward]

Swap the breaker as it may be bad.  Take a 20 amp breaker that you know works and put it in the position for the uwave and see if that cure the problem.  if it does get a new breaker, if not you have a circuit or uwave problem.

 

[John From Detroit]

I would guess the microwave is having a issue.

I will second that.. THe Microwave **SHOULD** be on a circuit all by itself.. In facrt it should be a 15 not a 20 (so the fact it is a 20 means there may be other things on that line)..

But make sure the Microwave is the only thing on that circuit.. (Turn off breaker. find out what does not work and turn it off then turn breaker back on) 

List what else is on the circuit and we can be more specific

But I'm inclined to think as Gizmo does.

 

[Rene T]

Unplug it and run a extension cord from it to another outlet on another circuit or even better, run the extension cord out a window to a 15 amp outlet on the pedestal. 

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Don't worry about 20A vs 15A - most convection micros require a 20A circuit and large (high wattage) microwave only types may also use a 20A circuit.

I'd start with Rene's advice - plug the microwave into another circuit for a simple test.  Use a heavy duty extension cord (aka appliance cord , at least 12 gauge).

 

[Rene T]

I just checked and found that my microwave has a 20 Amp breaker and there is nothing else on that circuit.

 

[Gizmo100]

I just checked and found that my microwave has a 20 Amp breaker and there is nothing else on that circuit.

X's 2.......And my microwave is rated at 1300 watts.

 

[donn]

Possibly a bad breaker, but more likely a bad microwave.  New breakers are cheap, so take the old one with you and buy an exact replacement.  If that does not fix it, measure and go buy a new microwave at WalMart, BestBuy or home Depot.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

X's 2.......And my microwave is rated at 1300 watts.

That's the output power rating; a microwave typically requires 25-50% more input power than its output, plus it has a start-up surge. A microwave of more than 1200 watts often requires a 20A breaker to handle the peaks in its power demand.

 

[Gizmo100]

That's the output power rating; a microwave typically requires 25-50% more input power than its output, plus it has a start-up surge. A microwave of more than 1200 watts often requires a 20A breaker to handle the peaks in its power demand.

Totally agree Gary..Although I wasn't sure about the start up surge..

My microwave keeps tripping the breaker.  It started all of the sudden.  The breaker, a 20 amp,  trips as soon as I turn it on.  Any ideas what might be causing this?

On the lighter side here's a thread you might enjoy...Although I can't endorsed this as a proper repair method.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,119127.msg1083697.html#msg1083697

 

[wackymac]

It could also be a bad door switch.

 

[RVRAC]

The microwave is on its own breaker in the panel nothing else is connected to it.  It's a 20 amp.  The microwave has the convection feature.  Actually, it began to show this problem after I used it as a convection oven.  In addition, I turned everything off to make sure that the total amp was not more than the 30 AMP on my Class C. However, it didn't help. 

I will need to find out how to get to the microwave connection as it is not readily accessible.

 

[John From Detroit]

Ah yes convection/microwaved are more ... Hungry.. Power wise.

I like the suggestion of test it on another 20 amp circuit. Please use a 12 ga extension cord.

 

[RVRAC]

I removed the microwave and test it on an outside outlet on the site electric post and it worked.  So, I put it back.  I noticed that the GCFI outlet which is on a different breaker had tripped in the bathroom.  I reset it back and now everything is working, at least for the moment. I don't understand what is the connection as they are in different breakers but it worked.  Maybe some of you folks with more experience with electric systems can tell me why this happened.

 

[Gizmo100]

I removed the microwave and test it on an outside outlet on the site electric post and it worked.  So, I put it back.  I noticed that the GCFI outlet which is on a different breaker had tripped in the bathroom.  I reset it back and now everything is working, at least for the moment. I don't understand what is the connection as they are in different breakers but it worked.  Maybe some of you folks with more experience with electric systems can tell me why this happened.

I'll take a shot...

The microwave had something stuck that was causing the breaker to trip, by moving it around you may have dislodged it.

The GCFI may have trip due to the other circuit have problems and tripping the breaker.

 

[Molaker]

Just for giggles, try testing the GFCI (make it pop off) and while it is popped, see if the microwave still works OK...just to see if the two problems are somehow related. If they are, there is surely something screwy in the wiring.

 

[Gizmo100]

Just for giggles, try testing the GFCI (make it pop off) and while it is popped, see if the microwave still works OK...just to see if the two problems are somehow related. If they are, there is surely something screwy in the wiring.

Good idea

 

[cavie]

I removed the microwave and test it on an outside outlet on the site electric post and it worked.  So, I put it back.  I noticed that the GCFI outlet which is on a different breaker had tripped in the bathroom.  I reset it back and now everything is working, at least for the moment. I don't understand what is the connection as they are in different breakers but it worked.  Maybe some of you folks with more experience with electric systems can tell me why this happened.

Are you sure they are on different ckts? Some idiot manufacturers do wire the micro to the GFI ckt. Technically, per the NEC, the micro should be on the GFI as the outlet is within 6' of water.  I'm glade most don't do that. Don't rely on the printed label.