Microwave oven circuits in remodeled kitchens

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jeff48356

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Livonia, Michigan
Just wondering how many of these types of calls you all get. I get these quite frequently, with the latest being today. I see this scenario far too often: Someone has their kitchen remodeled, which originally had a range hood over the stove. The customer wants a built-in microwave oven installed in its place. So the remodelers, who have no business doing electrical work, take the 14-2 cable from the range hood and use it to power an outlet in the cabinet for a microwave. The customer uses the microwave while other loads on the circuit are being used, and the breaker trips every time. So they call me to figure out what's going on. I determine that to be the cause, then end up running a new 20A circuit from that outlet to the breaker panel -- what should have been done during the renovation in the first place. When are people going to understand that you CANNOT run a microwave oven off a 15A lighting circuit without popping a breaker??
 
jeff48356 said:
Just wondering how many of these types of calls you all get. I get these quite frequently, with the latest being today. I see this scenario far too often: Someone has their kitchen remodeled, which originally had a range hood over the stove. The customer wants a built-in microwave oven installed in its place. So the remodelers, who have no business doing electrical work, take the 14-2 cable from the range hood and use it to power an outlet in the cabinet for a microwave. The customer uses the microwave while other loads on the circuit are being used, and the breaker trips every time. So they call me to figure out what's going on. I determine that to be the cause, then end up running a new 20A circuit from that outlet to the breaker panel -- what should have been done during the renovation in the first place. When are people going to understand that you CANNOT run a microwave oven off a 15A lighting circuit without popping a breaker??
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When we remodeled the kitchen in our last home, we picked the spot where the microwave would live (counter-top model) and I had the electricians run a dedicated 20 amp circuit to that location. This was in addition to the required SABC's.
 
Never was code, but around here fortunately the hood was always fed from the SABC and as such when over the ranger micros are added breaker tripping usually isn't a problem.
 
jeff48356 said:
Just wondering how many of these types of calls you all get. I get these quite frequently, with the latest being today. I see this scenario far too often: Someone has their kitchen remodeled, which originally had a range hood over the stove. The customer wants a built-in microwave oven installed in its place. So the remodelers, who have no business doing electrical work, take the 14-2 cable from the range hood and use it to power an outlet in the cabinet for a microwave. The customer uses the microwave while other loads on the circuit are being used, and the breaker trips every time. So they call me to figure out what's going on. I determine that to be the cause, then end up running a new 20A circuit from that outlet to the breaker panel -- what should have been done during the renovation in the first place. When are people going to understand that you CANNOT run a microwave oven off a 15A lighting circuit without popping a breaker??
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Sounds like the bold is the problem. If the installer followed the electrical code then there would be no issue.
 
We had a minor remodel of our kitchen several years ago. We now have 3 SABCs that each serve 2 countertop duplexes. There is a separate 15 amp circuit that only serves the microwave that is "built-into" the range's vent hood. We are planning another remodel for next January, this time very extensive. There won't be a microwave above the range, but rather a proper range hood that vents outside. I will make sure the electrician is aware of the existence of these 4 circuits and what they now serve. I am certain the existing 15 amp circuit can be used for the new range hood. I think it can also handle the LED strip lights that I will have installed under the upper cabinets. The kitchen remodel will impact the existing dining room. I don't think the circuit(s) that serve that room would satisfy the SABC requirements. So when the GC hires an EC, I will discuss options with them.

I will have a minor role in electrical design, but I will not do any installation. I won't even be home most of the time the work is going on. So this is not a DIY project. I will endeavor to make it a SOOTCW project (stay out of the contractor's way).
 
mbrooke said:
To be fair it is not cheap or easy in some cases run a new circuit.
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True but IMO that's not a sufficient reason to hire the trunk slammer and not install per code which I believe is that the point the OP was trying to make.
 
mbrooke said:
To be fair it is not cheap or easy in some cases run a new circuit.
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A. To also be fair, it's not always cheap or easy to do something correctly, but that's really no excuse. If the lighting circuit keeps tripping, the microwave effectively becomes useless.

B. It's usually possible to extend a cable from an existing receptacle up, across above or within a cabinet, and down to a new receptacle. Not ideal, but better than on the lighting circuit.
 
infinity said:
True but IMO that's not a sufficient reason to hire the trunk slammer and not install per code which I believe is that the point the OP was trying to make.
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LarryFine said:
A. To also be fair, it's not always cheap or easy to do something correctly, but that's really no excuse. If the lighting circuit keeps tripping, the microwave effectively becomes useless.

B. It's usually possible to extend a cable from an existing receptacle up, across above or within a cabinet, and down to a new receptacle. Not ideal, but better than on the lighting circuit.
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I agree with everything said, however sometimes putting it on the SABC is the best solution and doesn't cause any tripping.
 
mbrooke said:
Never was code, but around here fortunately the hood was always fed from the SABC and as such when over the ranger micros are added breaker tripping usually isn't a problem.
Click to expand...

Could you clarify, What was never code?
 
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