Hello all!

New to the site and my 50 year old house of 8 months. I got a new microwave oven for Christmas that keeps tripping the breaker. The garbage disposal is also on the same circuit but the two never run at the same time. The wiring is newer as well.

I've looked at as much as the wiring as I can and do not see anything wrong but I am a novice when it comes to wiring. Can anyone give my some direction in how to pinpoint this problem? Thanks in advance!

 

Are the disposal and the microwave the only two things on that circuit? Are you sure?

Look for the sticker inside the microwave. Tell us what the input power is (not the output power).

Is the breaker that keeps tripping a 15-amp breaker or a 20-amp breaker?

 

The input power for the oven is 120v AC 60 Hz phase only w/ grounding - Rated 13.0 amps.

I believe the breaker is a 20 amp (there is a twenty on the handle)

I thought that the oven & disposal were the only thing on that circuit but I found a gangbox for the disposal and noticed there is some old wiring leading out of the gangbox which leads through my bathroom. I do not know what is on this line. The bathroom has newer wiring as well as the upstairs, so I just have not figured that one out yet. I know its no major appliance and I believe it may be to some outlets. When I figure that one out, I'll re-post.

Is anything I listed here helpful? Please let me know. Thanks!

 

Another possibility is a faulty microwave. Try running off a different circuit and see if the breaker for that circuit trips. Since it is new there is a small chance it may have been a manufacturing fault so it is also worth checking even if just to rule it out.

 

Check the tightness of the screws that connect the wires to the breaker. If the screws get even a little loose the resistance of the connection can increase. As current flows through the connection with the increased resistance the temperature of the breaker can increase greatly. That may cause intermittant breaker trips. I've seen it happen many times. Breakers themselves can and do go bad but it's worthwhile checking the connections first it could save you from buying another one.

 

you can walk me through this? I'm assuming its as simple as cut the power to that breaker, pull off the electric box faceplate and retighten the screw? Please let me know.

Thanks!

 

It would be a good idea to have one of those electrician's screwdrivers that's insulated all the way up to the handle, cut the power, remove the font panel and tighten up the screws.

 

Bob there is one very important thing that cannot be overstated,if you do not feel comfortable about working close to live voltage DO NOT ATTEMPT this repair.It will be worth the money spent to call in a pro.