Isn't it kinda rule of thumb If it is GFIC then it does not have to be AFIC???
I don't think you need both??
I wouldn't bet my electrical licenese on that rule.
There are places in a house where both AFCI and GFCI can and will be required, and both should work together with no problems if wired correctly, an AFCI can not provide the 5ma people protection that a GFCI does, as a GCFI can not detect an arc fault, although they funtion simular when it comes to a ground fault, an AFCI will only provide 30ma of protection, which is too high to protect a person from a shock hazard.
Technically yes, it's in a family room, even though it's a bar/cooking area, unless it could be classified as a kitchen, but I don't think so. There's a kitchen upstairs and it's a single family dwelling. I just wondered if anyone else had this microwave tripping arc-fault problem, or maybe if it has something to do with the GFI. Not sure. Could be a problem with the Code too, what can you do? Thx.
When AFCI's first came out there was many problems with them and tripping on inductive kickback from inductive loads such as the big transformer in a microwave was one of them, from what I have heard they got better (Indiana took out the requirment for AFCIs way back in 2005) also the earlyer Square D home lines were notorous for this, and they did a recall, which you can tell which one it is by the test button color, If I remember right the bad ones had a blue test button and the new ones had a green one, (maybe someone will verify this)
Also check the micro cord with a high reading ohm meter, if there is any leakage from the hot or neutral to the grounding conductor, it will cause the AFCI to trip, also inductive kick back trips happen right when the inductive load is turned off, if it is tripping when the load is turned on then it could be a grounded neutral in the circuit feeding it.
just some food for thought.