Why Is My Microwave Tripping the Circuit Breaker?

Few appliances in your home work harder to make life more convenient than your microwave oven. Whether you’re cooking dinner or warming up leftovers, it’s an essential appliance in the modern home.

However, many homeowners complain that using their microwave makes the breaker trip. Even the occasional tripped breaker can cause significant inconvenience, and it’s essential to identify the cause to stop it from recurring.

At All Comfort Services, we’ve resolved many tripped breakers in Madison, McFarland, Fitchburg, Cottage Grove, and Windsor. It’s our pleasure to help you identify the cause and apply the appropriate solution.

Common Causes of Tripped Breakers

There are several common causes of tripped breakers, including:

• Overloaded circuits: This is the most common cause of tripped breakers we see. Microwaves pull a significant amount of current. When there are too many appliances plugged into the circuit, it can easily create an overload.
• Circuit breaker failure: Circuit breakers aren’t indestructible. Damaged circuit breakers can falter and fail and should be replaced; otherwise, they can pose a significant fire hazard.
• Faulty microwave: Even the best-built microwaves only last around seven years. If the microwave is used frequently, that may be as short as four or five years. Design flaws, poor construction, and overuse can increase wear and tear on electrical components, which can result in a tripped circuit breaker.

Troubleshooting Guide for Circuit Breaker Tripping

Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue of your circuit breaker tripping:

Check for Overload

Most microwaves draw around 12 amps, and circuits are typically rated for 20 amps. Overloading can happen if multiple appliances, such as coffee machines, blenders, mixers, and toasters, are plugged into the same circuit.

To identify if overload is the issue, unplug these additional appliances and see if the circuit still trips. If it doesn’t trip, it was likely overloaded due to the simultaneous use of multiple devices.

Verify if There’s a Dedicated Circuit

Determine if your microwave is connected to a dedicated circuit. This is often labeled as “microwave” in newer homes on the breaker box. A dedicated circuit prevents overload from other appliances.

If your microwave doesn’t have a dedicated circuit, consider consulting a certified electrician to install one.

Assess GFCI & Circuit Breaker

If the issue persists after unplugging extra appliances and checking for a dedicated circuit, inspect the GFCI breaker and circuit breaker. A malfunctioning GFCI or circuit breaker could be the culprit.

Contact a certified electrician to inspect and test these components to ensure proper functionality.

Evaluate Microwave Faults

If all circuits are functioning correctly and there are no issues with additional appliances, it’s possible that the microwave itself is faulty. Faults may arise from a bad magnetron, damaged internal circuitry, or blown fuses.

Never attempt to repair these issues on your own due to the risk of fire hazards and electrocution. In most cases, repairing these internal components costs more than purchasing a new microwave.

Call (608) 838-7300, and we’ll send a certified electrician to your home in McFarland, Madison, Fitchburg, Cottage Grove, Monona, or nearby.

Aaron Robarge

Aaron is a master electrician for residential and commercial customers. He’s been performing electrical services at All Comfort Services since 2010. “I like it when everything all comes together when the lights turn on, and I see the satisfaction in the customer’s face,” says Aaron.