Plug in microwave required in calc?

Frank D

Member
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Occupation
Electrical project manager
With a multifamily load calculation, if the microwave is not built in, do you have to add a microwave circuit or is it considered part of the small appliance circuits?
 
I consider the microwave to be a small appliance and included within that load. It is not necessary to include the microwave wattage as an additional item in the calc.
 
Thanks guys, appreciate input.
As an aside, since almost everyone has a microwave, it is a definite consideration, though the lengths of time of loading are minimal.
 
If there is no Microwave then there is no Microwave load. The same as everyone has a toaster oven, air frier, mixer, blender, coffee pot, electric frying pan, crock pot. etc. The code tells you what the allowance for small appliance circuits. They are usually not run for a long time.
 
Only reason I might count it is only in determining how many beyond the minimum 2 SABC I want to install. But not needed for total article 220 loads if not fixed mounted like a hood/micro combo.
 
If the microwave is going to be connected to one of the required 2 small appliance circuits not additional calculation is required. If you are installing an additional small appliance circuit for the microwave then you would need to add the additional small appliance circuit to the load calc's.
 
Top