How to lessen load on circuit breaker?

[steve1279]

My parents had the house rewired i would say roughly 15 years ago, well most of the house anyway. The problem lies in the kitchen and the circuit breaker that controls everything in the kitchen, part of my old bedroom, bathroom and laundry room. Whenever the microwave is used it trips the circuit. Only way to use it for more then 30 seconds at a time is to go around and turn off every single item that's on so it doesn't trip the breaker. It's been like this since it was rewired and it's beyond annoying.
How can this be fixed so that we can run the microwave for more then 30 seconds at a time?

 

[OccupantRJ]

Run a devoted circuit to the microwave from the panel of course. Next!

 

[BillK]

Steve,
I replaced our exhaust fan above the stove with a microwave and had the same problem. I had to run a new circuit for the microwave. When our house was built the fan was on the same circuit as a couple of upstairs bedrooms but was never a problem by itself. The instructions for the new microwave specified a dedicated circuit. Fortunately my house is built in such a way that it was easy to pull a new circuit.

 

[Superbec]

My parents had the house rewired i would say roughly 15 years ago, well most of the house anyway. The problem lies in the kitchen and the circuit breaker that controls everything in the kitchen, part of my old bedroom, bathroom and laundry room. Whenever the microwave is used it trips the circuit. Only way to use it for more then 30 seconds at a time is to go around and turn off every single item that's on so it doesn't trip the breaker. It's been like this since it was rewired and it's beyond annoying.
How can this be fixed so that we can run the microwave for more then 30 seconds at a time?

there's something wrong with the microwave,wire or the socket he's plugged in , usually they get about 8-900W so your braker should cover that easily

 

[CJ7VFR]

...The problem lies in the kitchen and the circuit breaker that controls everything in the kitchen, part of my old bedroom, bathroom and laundry room...

The problem is also increased because there are too many items/rooms on one circuit.

It is surprising that the electrician who did the work 15 years ago did not at least put the kitchen receptacles on their own circuit, and separate it from the other rooms.

Most kitchens should have separate circuits for the different items in there, like one circuit for the refrigerator, one for the microwave, one for the counter receptacles, and so on.

Would it be beneficial to your parents to get an electrician in there and at least run a few new circuits for the kitchen? It might cost a bit (if you can't do it yourself) but that would be the best thing in the long run.

Jim

 

[pattenp]

The only way to know for sure is to use a clamp-on amp meter in the panel on that circuit to check the actual current draw and go from there.

 

[Milton Shaw]

When I was a kid my parents built on the house and had a "electrician" wire the addition, and put in a new entrance service. He ended up with 37 lights and outlets on one 15 amp circuit. Needless to say it tripped all the time. I eventually split the circuit and ran new circuits to spit it into 4 different circuits. He should have been shot, but it passed inspection with probably something under the table. Pick a place and pull new wire to spit it up and put microwave by itself and another circuit or two in the kitchen for large loads like toasters, toaster ovens, electric skillet and crock pot. 20 amp only is what circuits you want 12-2/w ground and 20 amp breakers. Probably need to change to tamper free and GCFI outlets also.

 

[BillK]

there's something wrong with the microwave,wire or the socket he's plugged in , usually they get about 8-900W so your braker should cover that easily

Not if there is a lot of other stuff on the circuit and it is only a 15 amp circuit. That was the case in my house. I could run the microwave if I turned off everything else but that was the only way.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Sometimes breakers which have tripped a lot lose capacity, you might try another one.

Put the microwave in the dining room and see how it works?

 

[mbatarga]

How old is the microwave? If an old model, maybe a new model with higher efficiency (lower amperage requirements) might solve the issue.

 

[James-W]

My personal opinion is that every electrical outlet in a kitchen should be on its own circuit. I firmly believe that microwaves should be on their own circuit, along with refrigerators and dishwashers. Traditionally, kitchens use a lot of appliances that have resistance heating in them. Many of these appliances require a substantial amount of current to operate. So when you plug in your electric frying pan, your toaster and coffee maker, all on the same circuit, you have to expect to trip the breaker. But if you have different circuits for each outlet, no problem. When we talk about the cost of building a house, the minor amount of money it costs to have extra circuits in the kitchen is negligible. Even if you feel it isn't totally necessary, what does it hurt to do it?

 

[APEowner]

There may be something wrong with the microwave but it should also be on its own dedicated circuit.

 

[csp]

So nobody has thought to ask how many amps the breaker is that this overloaded circuit is operating at?

 

[TheEquineFencer]

The only way to know for sure is to use a clamp-on amp meter in the panel on that circuit to check the actual current draw and go from there.

He might be getting a voltage drop at a bad connection too. If everything is wired like the "old school" guys used to do, that's a good possibility. You may have a fire waiting to happen. AMP CLAMP it and see what the actual load is.
Then see what the breaker is rated for, then see what gauge wire is run for everything on that circuit.

 

[tfi racing]

The only safe solution is to have Mike Holmes come in and evaluate your house and and have his fear mongering electrician meter out all your electrical demands.Then the only recommended course of action is demolition of your current home,remediation of the soil and bedrock of your lot and the surrounding ones,a new eco friendly solar powered grass roof concrete home geo thermally heated built and wired by unionized professionals for the reasonable sum of 1.25 million dollars.

Or just wire a new circuit and receptacle for any of your major kitchen appliances for a small handful of bucks and live happily ever after...

 

[MushCreek]

This is why modern codes require so much more wiring in the kitchen. My smallish kitchen has six 120V circuits! Three for outlets, plus dedicated circuits for the dishwasher, fridge, and microwave. You're not allowed to have other rooms fed by kitchen circuits, either.

As for your problem, 1) make sure that the circuit is safely wired and that the outlet, wiring, and breaker are all solid. 2) Passing all of that, run a new circuit (or five).

 

[Ajustable]

This is why modern codes require so much more wiring in the kitchen. My smallish kitchen has six 120V circuits! Three for outlets, plus dedicated circuits for the dishwasher, fridge, and microwave. You're not allowed to have other rooms fed by kitchen circuits, either.

I just Reno-ed our old kitchen, Like MushCreek states. This is Code. I had to run 6 circuits to get ours kitchen to pass inspection as well. Allot easier to do while under construction.

Our old microwave was run on a shared Circuit, #12 aluminum, The plug would sizzle the longer we used the Microwave, Made me damn nervous. I feel much better now that its copper and wired correctly. The toaster is happier too.

Also, breakers are not designed to pop repeatedly, they will trip easier as they wear out.

My personal advice, Run a new circuit for the Microwave, and while your doing that you might wanna a couple more for the other appliances. Maybe its not the answer you wanna hear, In the long run it will be better/safer.

 

[sberry]

Run a couple new wires.

 

[steve1279]

The only safe solution is to have Mike Holmes come in and evaluate your house and and have his fear mongering electrician meter out all your electrical demands.Then the only recommended course of action is demolition of your current home,remediation of the soil and bedrock of your lot and the surrounding ones,a new eco friendly solar powered grass roof concrete home geo thermally heated built and wired by unionized professionals for the reasonable sum of 1.25 million dollars.

Or just wire a new circuit and receptacle for any of your major kitchen appliances for a small handful of bucks and live happily ever after...

This just made me bust out laughing. LOLOL

In all seriousness, I really appreciate all the feedback. From what I can remember, a new circuit breaker box was installad, most of the wiring in the house was re-done, not all of it ($$$$), Yes the kitchen, my old bedroom on the second floor (above kitchen), main bathroom and laundry room (below kitchen) are all on this same breaker, which is 20 amps, checked it the night I posted.

I am trying to convince my mother to replace some of the outlets in the kitchen since they are all original 2 prong outlets and I am not touching them. Which make me now wonder wtf? If all this wiring was done, why the hell didn't they get new outlets? More questions now then answers. grrrrrrrr If I can convince my mom to find someone to do the outlets, i'll see about running a dedicated circuit for the microwave, which btw, is relatively brand new. And while they are at it, they can put in a new outlet and switch in my garage. These things are so old the plastic covers are rotting and crumbling.

And if you guys saw how the original owners of this house from the time it was built in 1942 till my parents bought it in 1985 had the back garage wired up you would be amazed nothing burned down.

 

[csp]

Which make me now wonder wtf? If all this wiring was done, why the hell didn't they get new outlets?

Given that information, I would question how much of the wiring in the walls was actually replaced. You can easily open one of the outlets up and see if there is wiring with a ground leg in the boxes after shutting the breaker off.

 

[steve1279]

Given that information, I would question how much of the wiring in the walls was actually replaced. You can easily open one of the outlets up and see if there is wiring with a ground leg in the boxes after shutting the breaker off.

Oh it's not hard to figure out, unless it was done purposely this way due to finances back then. Parent's never had alot of money, was always a struggle to save for them.

Anyway, the outlet I wanted to try and replace last summer is all original 1942 equipment, plug, metal box, wiring, everything. No new wire there. The only new wire in the kitchen is where a new 4 outlet plug was installed by the counter and the switch/outlet to the new deck door and outdoor outlet on the deck.

I wish I had friends that were in construction or electricians. Would be so helpful trying to get these things done.

 

[steve1279]

oh i figured i'd tell everyone about the rear garage powering situation. In order for this rear garage, which is a full sized garage, to get power. They ran a metal pipe under ground from the main garage which is attached to the house to the rear garage. In the main garage this pipe comes up and the wiring goes into the wall to a double outlet. Several feet away on the wall that faces the master bedroom is another outlet. The would take an extension cord basically with 2 male plugs on it and just plug in each outlet to send power to the rear garage. It worked, flawlessly for years. Just never really had a use for the lights in the rear garage so they pulled the bulbs and tossed the "connection" cord. lol

 

[UpstateNY]

I am trying to convince my mother to replace some of the outlets in the kitchen since they are all original 2 prong outlets and I am not touching them. Which make me now wonder wtf?

Time to man up, get yourself a how-to book on electrical wiring, and get 'er done. It ain't rocket science, buy some basic tools, turn off the breaker and get busy.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

My personal opinion is that every electrical outlet in a kitchen should be on its own circuit. I firmly believe that microwaves should be on their own circuit, along with refrigerators and dishwashers. Traditionally, kitchens use a lot of appliances that have resistance heating in them. Many of these appliances require a substantial amount of current to operate. So when you plug in your electric frying pan, your toaster and coffee maker, all on the same circuit, you have to expect to trip the breaker. But if you have different circuits for each outlet, no problem. When we talk about the cost of building a house, the minor amount of money it costs to have extra circuits in the kitchen is negligible. Even if you feel it isn't totally necessary, what does it hurt to do it?

I agree! All should be 20amp circuits. The additional cost of the heavier wire, slight more expensive outlets, and the additional breakers is modest in comparison to what the "rewire job" cost. This is where the electrician should have counseled the customer.

Other posters have mentioned possible bad connections. I you're handy, pull out all the outlets and switches. Make sure the connections are good connections. Look for arcing. If there are any backstabbed outlets, get rid of the backstabbing. Either loop the wire around the screw and tighten firmly or toss the receptacles and get good quality receptacles that support backwiring. This might be the problem, but more than likely you have too much stuff on one circuit.

 

[steve1279]

Time to man up, get yourself a how-to book on electrical wiring, and get 'er done. It ain't rocket science, buy some basic tools, turn off the breaker and get busy.

I have no problem doing that. But reading about going from 2 prong outlets to 3 prong grounded outlets doesn't seem so cut and dry. If anyone has any tips on doing the swap from 2 prong to 3 prong i'd appreciate.

 

[Mustang51js]

Need to test to see if the box is grounded,if it is then all you need is self grounding outlets and replace. If there is no ground they can be changed to gfi outlets or you need to run a ground to each one

 

[csp]

The only new wire in the kitchen is where a new 4 outlet plug was installed by the counter and the switch/outlet to the new deck door and outdoor outlet on the deck.

So the original post in this thread is a bit misleading. If the kitchen wasn't rewired you should have stated it as such.

My parents had the house rewired i would say roughly 15 years ago, well most of the house anyway.

 

[steve1279]

So the original post in this thread is a bit misleading. If the kitchen wasn't rewired you should have stated it as such.

How is it misleading? I thought the whole kitchen was done when i posted originally. Then after receiving replies a few days later remembered that I tried to fix the one outlet which was all original wiring.

Need to test to see if the box is grounded,if it is then all you need is self grounding outlets and replace. If there is no ground they can be changed to gfi outlets or you need to run a ground to each one

i'll have to get me a good wiring book or something from barnes and noble or i'll see if my late father had any books down in the basement. I remember as a kid he had something.

 

[csp]

It was misleading because you made everyone else think it was re-wired also. I didn't say that you did it intentionally, so don't get all bound up about it.