"Anonymous" wrote in message
...
Lately I've been noticing that when the microwave cycles on half-power
setting, the lights in the kitchen and every where else on that
particular circuit flickers perilously along with it. Sometimes just
turning on the kitchen light makes the other room lights flicker.

I suspect a short, but since nothing ever trips a circuit breaker, it
doesn't seem to be anything I can definitely put my finger on to test or
repair. Does anybody have any suggestions for tracking down this
problem?

Ron


If by "flickers" you mean that the lights actually go on and off, not just
dim, then it's likely that you have a loose connection somewhere, not a
short.

If you aren't comfortable working around electricity, call a professional
electrician right away. A loose connection can generate an electrical arc
(very hot) and cause a fire.

A loose connection could be anywhere in the branch circuit. The microwave
is a fair power load; so when it comes on, the current flowing in the
circuit probably stresses a connection somewhere and there's intermittent
contact.

You can check a few things. Kill the main power and look at the branch
circuit breaker for the microwave oven (you will have to take the cover off
the CB panel). Be careful. There is still power in the box by the main
breaker. Check the circuit breaker to be sure it's tight in the panel and
check especially the screw that connects the black or red branch circuit
wiring to the breaker. Check the white wire (neutral) for that circuit too.
If you are lucky, you may find a loose wire or melted insulation or
blackening that indicates arcing.

If the connections in the panel look good, check the outlet that feeds the
microwave. Again, make sure the power is off. Take off the wall plate and
look at the wiring that feeds the otulet. Take out the screws that hold the
outlet in place, pull the outlet out of the box and check the tightness of
the outlet screws. If there are other connections in the box (wires
fastened together with wire nuts), check those too. Put everything back
very carefully and watch that any bare (ground) wires don't touch any other
connections.

Those are the easy and obvious checks. Less likely would be an electrical
problem inside the microwave; but you can check that by running a
heavy-dluty extension cord to the microwave and plugging that into another
circuit.

Again, if you don't have a healthy respect for electricity and don't
understand what you're doing, have an electrician do the work.

TKM