You’re reheating dinner in the microwave when suddenly it shuts off and the kitchen lights flicker out. You check the breaker box and realize the microwave has tripped the circuit again. Dealing with a microwave that repeatedly trips your breakers is not only inconvenient but could also indicate a more serious underlying electrical issue.
In this post, we’ll outline the common causes of microwaves tripping breakers – from faulty door switches to outdated wiring. You’ll learn how to troubleshoot and diagnose what exactly is making your microwave the circuit’s weak link. With some targeted electrical tests and strategic use of extension cords or outlets, you can often prevent future microwave vs. breaker battles.
We’ll provide actionable solutions to address tripped breakers caused by your microwave, from replacing defective parts to updating your home’s electrical capacity. Our troubleshooting tips will help you get to the root of the issue so you can heat up leftovers and pop popcorn without your lights shutting off unexpectedly. Read on to resolve those annoying tripped breaker episodes for good!
Your microwave keeps tripping the breaker because the circuit is overloaded, the microwave is faulty, or the breaker is defective. To solve this problem, you need to check the circuit, test the microwave, and replace the breaker if needed.
Check the Circuit
The first thing you need to do is to check the circuit that your microwave is connected to. A circuit is a path that electricity flows through to power your appliances. Each circuit has a limit on how much electricity it can handle, which is measured in amps. If you plug too many appliances into the same circuit, or if one appliance draws too much power, the circuit will overload and trip the breaker.
The breaker is a switch that automatically shuts off the power to the circuit when it detects an overload or a short circuit. This is a safety feature that prevents fires and damage to your appliances and wiring. However, if your breaker trips frequently, it may indicate a problem with your circuit or your microwave.
To check the circuit, you need to do the following:
- Locate your electrical panel, which is usually in your basement, garage, or closet. It contains all the breakers for your home’s circuits.
- Find the breaker that controls the circuit for your microwave. It should be labeled “Microwave” or something similar. If it’s not labeled, you can turn off each breaker one by one until you find the one that cuts off power to your microwave.
- Check if the breaker is in the “Off” position or in the middle between “On” and “Off”. If it’s in the middle, it means it has tripped and needs to be reset.
- To reset the breaker, flip it all the way to the “Off” position and then back to the “On” position. You should hear a click when it resets.
- Plug in your microwave and try to use it. If it works without tripping the breaker, then the problem was a temporary overload and you don’t need to do anything else. However, if it trips the breaker again, then you need to move on to the next step.
Test Your Microwave
The next thing you need to do is to test your microwave and see if it’s working properly. Sometimes, your microwave may have a faulty component that causes it to draw too much power or create a short circuit. This can trip the breaker and prevent your microwave from heating up.
Some of the components that can cause this problem are:
- The magnetron: This is the part that generates microwaves that heat up your food. If it’s damaged or worn out, it may not produce enough microwaves or none at all.
- The diode: This is the part that converts AC power from the outlet to DC power for the magnetron. If it’s burned out or shorted, it may not supply enough voltage or current to the magnetron.
- The thermostat: This is the part that monitors the temperature of your microwave and shuts it off if it overheats. If it’s malfunctioning or stuck open, it may cut off power to your microwave prematurely or not at all.
- The circuit board: This is the part that controls all the functions and settings of your microwave. If it’s faulty or damaged, it may not send or receive signals correctly or at all.
To test your microwave, you need to do the following:
- Unplug your microwave and discharge any stored electricity by touching a metal object before opening it up.
- Remove the cabinet of your microwave by unscrewing or unclipping it from its base.
- Locate each component and inspect them for any signs of damage, such as burns, cracks, corrosion, or loose wires.
- Use a multimeter (a device that measures voltage, current, and resistance) to test each component for continuity (the ability to conduct electricity). You can find instructions on how to use a multimeter and test each component online.
- If you find any component that has no continuity or has an abnormal reading, you need to replace it with a new one. You can order replacement parts online or from an appliance store.
- Reassemble your microwave and plug it in. Try to use it and see if it works without tripping the breaker. If it does, then you have fixed the problem. However, if it doesn’t, then you need to move on to the next step.
Replace Your Breaker
The last thing you need to do is to replace your breaker if none of the previous steps worked. Sometimes, your breaker may be defective or worn out and trip for no reason or at lower loads than it should. This can cause your microwave to not work or work inconsistently.
To replace your breaker, you need to do the following:
- Turn off the main power switch for your home at the electrical panel. This will cut off power to all the circuits and prevent any shocks or injuries.
- Remove the cover of the electrical panel by unscrewing or unclipping it from its frame.
- Find the breaker that controls the circuit for your microwave. It should be labeled “Microwave” or something similar. If it’s not labeled, you can identify it by its size and shape. Most microwave breakers are 20-amp breakers, which are usually double-pole (two switches) and have a thicker wire than other breakers.
- Disconnect the wire from the breaker by loosening the screw or clip that holds it in place. Be careful not to touch any other wires or metal parts in the panel.
- Remove the breaker from the panel by pulling it out or snapping it off its slot. Be careful not to damage any other breakers or components in the panel.
- Install a new breaker of the same type and rating as the old one by inserting it into the same slot and securing it in place. Make sure it fits snugly and firmly.
- Connect the wire to the new breaker by tightening the screw or clip that holds it in place. Make sure there are no loose or exposed wires.
- Replace the cover of the electrical panel and turn on the main power switch for your home.
- Plug in your microwave and try to use it. If it works without tripping the breaker, then you have fixed the problem. However, if it still trips the breaker, then you may have a more serious electrical issue that requires professional help.
Conclusion
Your microwave keeps tripping the breaker because of one of three reasons: your circuit is overloaded, your microwave is faulty, or your breaker is defective. To solve this problem, you need to check the circuit, test the microwave, and replace the breaker if needed. However, some of these steps may be difficult or dangerous to do yourself, so you may want to call a qualified technician for assistance.
We hope this post has helped you understand why your microwave keeps tripping the breaker and how to fix it. If you have any questions or feedback about this topic, feel free to leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
