If you have a microwave that keeps tripping the circuit breaker in your home, it is likely because the microwave has been damaged or is not working correctly.
There are many reasons why a microwave can fail to operate. The most common reasons for a tripped circuit breaker in a house are: Worn out electrical wires in the walls and ceilings of the home, Faulty switches and sockets, and overloaded circuits among others.
The first step is to determine the problem and gather information. This may not be as easy as it sounds, but you can narrow your options by paying attention to what has changed recently.
Is the problem happening only on some days? Has anyone else noticed a change in the microwave’s behavior? Does it seem like there’s a pattern?
If you are looking to find a solution to why your microwave keeps tripping breaker then read along.
Why Does Microwave Keeps Tripping Breaker?
To determine the cause of a microwave’s tripping breaker, it is important to note whether or not the appliance is plugged in. If the microwave isn’t plugged in, then there may be a problem with either the cord or the outlet itself.
Next, if the appliance is plugged in, check to see if it is making any unusual noises before deciding what might be wrong with it.
If no noise is coming from inside of the machine and it has been tripped again by something electrical outside of the appliance then it has an internal breakdown.
Reasons Why Does My Microwave Keep Tripping the Breaker
1. There is an issue with the electricity supply to the appliance
The first thing to do is check the PowerPoint where you plug in your appliances. Ensure that all socket outlets are switched on and working properly.
If that’s not the case, try switching off all your microwave before switching them back on again one by one. If this issue occurs only during the winter months (because of extreme cold weather), turn off unnecessary devices before turning them back on after they have warmed up.
Try plugging the microwave into another power outlet if possible. Alternatively, if you have a multi-plug adapter, use it with another power outlet to see if the problem persists.
2. The turntable motor is wet
Do you know how to test a turntable motor? It’s easy, but you have to remove the motor from the turntable. This is important because it’s possible to find out if your motor is wet without removing it.
But before we get into that, let’s talk about what makes up a turntable motor. There are three basic parts: the actuator arm, the driveshaft, and the bearing.
All of these parts need lubrication to ensure proper movement during operation. If one part isn’t lubricated enough, friction will heat up the
3. The interference suppressor has blown
A microwave interference suppressor is a device for suppressing the electromagnetic interference produced by high-power microwave sources.
Microwave interference occurs as a result of an intense magnetic field, such as those created by MRI machines and particle accelerators.
The buildup of photons within the waveguide walls causes multiple reflections, which results in severe heating and eventual destruction of the device itself. You need to find a new replacement and fix it.
4. The door safety latch is broken
A broken microwave door latch is not something that should be ignored. A person could suffer severe burns, or worse yet, they could lose their life. The problem with these latches is that although they are incredibly easy to fix, most people don’t know-how.
The solution for this problem is simple: put it in place of the current safety latch on microwaves. It can be installed by anyone who owns a screwdriver and about 5 minutes of time during their day.
5. The magnetron has an electrical leak
The magnetron in a microwave oven has an electrical leak. This causes the magnetron to overheat and eventually destroy itself. The solution is to remove the electrical leak by adding a simple 1-cent resistor in series with the power supply.
The resistor would last the life of the appliance, and no one would ever know that it was there except for technicians who were servicing or repairing microwaves.
So why do they not add this resistor? Simple: cost! It would cost about $0.03 per unit to add this small part, but it would save many times more than that because of reduced repair costs
6. The capacitor is faulty
There are two main reasons why microwave capacitors fail – the presence of moisture and high temperatures.
Moisture can accumulate in your microwave, causing it to malfunction or short circuit, thereby damaging the plate transformer.
High-temperature conditions will also damage the components inside your microwave oven, leading to the failure of your appliance.
7. The high voltage diode is short-circuiting
First, turn off the power to prevent an electric shock accident. The high-voltage diode has two wires connected to it.
Connect one end of a multimeter to each wire, and then measure if there are any electrical resistances when they touch each other. If there is no resistance in between them when they touch then it is broken. Consider replacing it.
8. The transformer is faulty
A microwave transformer is a device used to transfer power from one point to another through a high-frequency alternating current.
Its use has become very common all over the world because of its ability to provide the same power at different places. It converts an AC voltage into DC voltage which can be transmitted through wires or cables at longer distances.
There are two types of appliances that use microwave transformers—microwaves and electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps.
A faulty transformer may lead to damage of other appliances as well as fire hazards. So if you notice any faults in your microwave transformers, contact an electrician immediately.
9. The timer is jammed
Microwave ovens are a great way to prepare food quickly and efficiently, but there’s a problem: the timer can get stuck. When this happens, you need to know how to free it up without damaging the appliance.
In many cases, you can free a broken microwave from an improperly timed cycle by simply removing the door of the unit and manually turning the timer past zero.
In some cases where the power is still on, it may be necessary to flip off your circuit breaker or unplug your microwave first before touching anything inside of it. Use caution when working around electrical appliances as they often
How to Fix Microwave Tripping Circuit Breaker
When a microwave trips the circuit breaker, it could be one of several things. The first thing to check is that your breaker is set at the right size for the load you have.
The second thing to check would be to see if you have too many large wattage items plugged in on other circuits. This will cause a tripped breaker as well as dimming or flickering lights and dimming or flickering LED strips.
Another reason your microwave may be tripping the circuit is that there was something wrong with the wiring done by an electrician that wired into an outlet that was already there.
Related Posts: How to Fix a Microwave That won’t Go Off
FAQs on Microwave Trips Breaker
When I open my microwave door it trips the breaker?
If your microwave door is not opening all the way it can trip the breaker. The microwave will still work but you will need to reset or replace the breaker. The solution would be to remove the microwave, unplug it and see if that fixes things.
What causes a microwave to trip a breaker?
A microwave oven draws power to heat the food, but also to operate its internal electronics. This includes the timer and light. If you use a microwave for something other than heating (e.g., drying or agitating), it can draw too much current through the safety circuit breaker in your electrical panel, causing it to trip.
How long should a microwave last?
The average life expectancy of a microwave is 10 years, assuming it’s used for an average of 2 minutes per day (which seems like a lot). And almost all microwaves will still work for many years after their official lifespan.
Why does my GE microwave keep tripping the breaker?
The first thing to check is whether you have too many high-wattage devices plugged into the same circuit as your microwave. The breaker can only handle a certain amount of electricity, and if it’s overloaded, it will shut off to protect itself and everything else on that circuit (including your microwave). Make sure that nothing else in your kitchen is drawing more than its share of power.
Final Thoughts on Microwave Tripping Breaker
The most common cause of a microwave tripping a breaker is when it’s not grounded properly.
If your breaker keeps tripping for no reason, make sure to follow the troubleshooting guide in this post and contact an electrician if you continue to have problems. Good luck!
