On Aug 2, 4:14*am, "RBM" wrote:
"Higgs Boson" wrote in message

...
On Aug 1, 10:11 am, jeff_wisnia
wrote:



Higgs Boson wrote:
Lately, one circuit on my box blows. It covers the microwave and
regular oven. I could
understand it blowing when another heat-using appliance, like toaster
oven or toaster runs at same time as microwave. But now it's blowing
all on its own.

Last time, today, only the micro was being used, to "reduce" a glass
dish of chicken drippings.

Can one circuit go bad all on its own? If so, why? And what should I
do about it.

Any info appreciated.

Since nobody has mentioned this yet and it sounds like it's a kitchen
circuit, is the breaker perchance a GFI one?

The microwave may have marginal "hot to ground" leakage which sometimes
becomes high enough to trip a GFI breaker.

If it's not a GFI breaker, then I'll side with those who say, "change
the breaker.

The breaker box was installed many years ago and I don't have any
paper work on it. *Is there a way for a *non-techie to ascertain
whether it is a GFI breaker?

Also, is it normal for a near-new MW to have the "marginal "hot to
ground" leakage? * How do I ascertain this?

(Starts to look like an expensive electrician visit...sob...)



Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10e12 furlongs per fortnight.

From your two replies, it sounds like this circuit is not dedicated to the
microwave. Is it a 15 or 20 amp circuit? What is the wattage of the
microwave? If there is truly nothing else operating simultaneously on the
circuit, and it trips, it's most likely a problem with the microwave, or a
bad breaker. Have you checked to see if anything else goes out when that
circuit trips, such as the refrigerator or something in another room?

The microwave is only a few months old, as I mentioned earlier. It is
a
Sears Kenmore Elite. Here are the specs:

Power Supply: 120 V AC, 60 Hz
Rated Power Consumption: 1,600 W
Microwave Output: 1,200 W
Rated Current: 14.0 A

You are correct; the circuit is not dedicated to the microwave. As
another poster mentioned, older houses don't always have dedicated MW
circuits.

How do I find out whether it is a 15 or 20 amp circuit? Is this
relevant if, as it appears, I will have to have a
dedicated MW circuit installed?

******QUESTION: What should such an electrician visit cost, including
parts. This is a fairly expensive area,
and I am not a fairly expensive homeowner, so I need to budget ahead.
Estimates appreciated.

In answer to your q. if anything else goes out when the circuit
trips: No, just the light panel on the wall oven
and the toaster and/or toaster oven IF either happens to be on and
pulling juice. Nothing in another room.

Your advice much appreciated.

As another poster mentioned, older houses don't always have dedic