Les wrote:
Planning on buying all new kitchen appliances, since they are all about 18
yrs old. Currently have a hood over the range that has a fan and light as
part of it. I would like to replace the hood with a microwave oven over the
range.

My condo is 18 yrs old. Can I assume that since I have electricity with the
hood, that the electrical wiring is ample for the microwave, like the
salesman says? Or how can it be tested to make sure that the current
electrical wiring is OK?


Just a touch of realism and a bit of sarcasm.
Replacing the hood with a hood/microwave can be
done but will likely be unsatisfactory (the hood
part) and will certainly cost a lot more than the
two separately. But, do it if you really want it.

Second. All house circuits are at least 15 amps.
It is unlikely that you would buy a microwave
that uses more than 13.5 amps. The hood fan and
light probably don't use more than 1-2 amps, thus
that circuit with the will support the microwave
alone and probably the microwave, hood fan, and
light all running at the same time. Just don't
put other things on it, or at least turn them on
when the microwave is running.

Just remember that thousands (err;; make that tens
of thousands, actually probably millions)) of
people just set the microwave on the counter and
plug it into wall circuit which is usually 15 amps
with no problem at all. Mine also has a toaster
in the same plug. Both do operate at the same
time, if yours won't then avoid the hassle of
resetting breakers by not operating other
appliance on that circuit when you use the
microwave.

See SQLit's comments, he seems to have a handle on
the issue and a reasonable view.