Over-the-range microwave: Is 15 amps enough?
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Over-the-range microwave: Is 15 amps enough?
I currently have a range hood/light over my stove that I'd like to replace with a microwave. When I checked to see which breaker it was on, I saw that it is a 15 amp circuit.
All of the models I looked at are rated at 15 amps, but you shouldn't max that out, right? There should be some wiggle room? My dining room light is also on this circuit (that's the only other thing.)
All of the models I looked at are rated at 15 amps, but you shouldn't max that out, right? There should be some wiggle room? My dining room light is also on this circuit (that's the only other thing.)
#2
A fixed in place cooking appliance falls under the 50% rule. If the amperage of the appliance exceeds 50% of the circuit capacity there can be nothing else on the circuit. A fixed in place microwave/hood often exceeds 7.5 amps so a dedicated circuit is almost always used. What is the amp rating of the microwave?
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What is the amp rating of the microwave?
Electrical Specification
Amperage
15 amperes
Voltage
120 volts
#5
My dining room light is also on this circuit (that's the only other thing.)
It's common for the old vent hoods to be on a lighting circuit and this is insufficient for the oven.
It's even more uncommon for a single light to be the only device on a circuit.
If you're sure the dining lights are the only thing on this circuit, you can run power to the lights from another circuit and use this 15amp circuit for the oven.
#6
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A fixed in place cooking appliance falls under the 50% rule. If the amperage of the appliance exceeds 50% of the circuit capacity there can be nothing else on the circuit. A fixed in place microwave/hood often exceeds 7.5 amps so a dedicated circuit is almost always used. What is the amp rating of the microwave?
#7
What happens when the draw of a fixed microwave exceeds 10 A
Anyone considering changing out a vent hood for a microwave combo should expect to run a new dedicated 20amp circuit. There are houses pre-wired for a microwave, but rare.
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Anyone considering changing out a vent hood for a microwave combo should expect to run a new dedicated 20amp circuit.
There are houses pre-wired for a microwave, but rare.
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Running a new circuit isn't that hard. We can walk you through it.
#12
I'm just nervous about making a connection inside the panel, as I've never done that before.
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OK, I bought the microwave today. It wasn't set up to be hard wired like I'd expected. It has a standard 3-prong plug. The instructions say I need an outlet in the cabinet above the microwave.
Can I just wire this new outlet from the current counter-top outlets? After all, that's where my old microwave is plugged in, and I won't be using it anymore.
Can I just wire this new outlet from the current counter-top outlets? After all, that's where my old microwave is plugged in, and I won't be using it anymore.