Low voltage will cause slow cooking. In case your microwave oven does not perform normally in spite of proper voltage, remove and reinsert the plug.
How Voltage Drops Damage Your Electronics and Appliances: What You Need to Know. Voltage drops in your electrical system can be more than just a minor annoyance; they can actually cause serious damage to your electronics and appliances over time.
A typical household microwave might use around 7.5 amps. However, larger microwaves (like those over 1,200 watts) can draw more, around 10-15 amps. This is because most household microwaves used in kitchens across the United States are in the 600-1,200 watt range.
More than likely, the circuit your microwave is plugged into is hooked onto another circuit at the circuit breaker panel. This was probably done by a previous owner of your house. When you turn your microwave on, it draws more current than the circuit breaker can handle, and so it blows.
The damage to appliances and electronics doesn't normally occur when the power goes out, rather it's when it comes back on that the network voltage may be higher or lower than the ideal amount. If the voltage is too high it's called a surge, and the mini blast can definitely damage equipment and appliances.
If the Microwave is overheating and shutting itself down, this is caused by high voltage parts inside the unit getting too hot the leading the thermal cut-out switch to be activated as a safe feature to prevent further overheating.
The Microwaves require a 120 volt, individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3 prong grounding type receptacle protected by a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse. Over-the-Range Microwave models should always be on a dedicated circuit.
A microwave oven of 600 - 800W draws typically 5 amps during regular operations. A midsize microwave oven of 800 - 1200W draws 10 amps, and a full-sized microwave of 1200 - 1800W uses 15 amps. A commercial microwave of 1800 - 2200W can use 20 amps or more.
1500-watt microwaves use 12.5 amps. 2000-watt microwaves use 16.67 amps.
The Dangers of Low Voltage
The risk of an appliance and wiring overheating causing low voltage situations increases with low voltage situations. This makes the appliances prone to catch fire. Electrical appliances subject to low voltage cannot be repaired or replaced for their condition if damage is irreversible.
Insufficient amperage means the device is starved of the current it needs to operate. This can lead to incomplete operations, erratic behavior, or failure to start. It's akin to trying to run a marathon without sufficient food – the body simply cannot perform optimally. Another major risk is overheating.
Electrical appliances not working correctly - Low voltage can cause electrical appliances to malfunction and not work as they should. This includes items such as refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines. Overheating - If your appliances or electronics are overheating, it may be a sign of low voltage.
Plate Not Turning
Probably the most common issue of any microwave is when the plate doesn't turn. The turning plate helps cook and reheat your food evenly, so it's a major headache when it's not working. Usually, the problem could be from something obstructing the spinning assembly.
If the cost of repairing a microwave comes close to or exceeds the price of a new one, it might make more financial sense to replace it. However, if the costs of repairing are relatively low and the microwave isn't too old, it could be worth repairing the microwave.
Generally, metal pans or aluminum foil should also not be used in a microwave oven, as the microwaves are reflected off these materials causing the food to cook unevenly and possibly damaging the oven.
Therefore, a 1,000W microwave might need as much as 1,700 W of power. In this case, you may end up needing a dedicated 17 amps circuit. While most residential outlets are 15amps or 20amps, you will need a circuit that can provide much more power than the expected power needs of your microwave.
Microwaves. A circuit must be dedicated for any built-in oven or microwave. Small countertop models typically have lower wattage than built-in units and can be plugged into a standard outlet on a shared circuit.
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.
If your microwave trips a breaker regularly, it could be due to a sensitive circuit breaker or a short-duration power surge. While these breakers are designed to protect your electrical system from damage, frequent tripping might indicate an underlying problem.
Microwaves demand more power than a power strip can provide, so they typically require their own dedicated outlet.
If the power cord isn't the issue, it could be that the breaker was tripped. This is the likely explanation if your microwave shuts down while it's in use. Try resetting the breaker or replacing the fuse to restore power. If you're still having no luck, the problem could be with an internal fuse.
With normal usage for an average family and good maintenance, a microwave often lasts for 7 to 8 years. If the microwave is used less frequently by a single person or a couple and is well-maintained, the lifespan can increase to up to 10 years.
As the best microwave overall, we chose the Panasonic Microwave Oven; it combines a 1,200-watt motor with a compact exterior. If you're looking to save money and space, the Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave is the best budget microwave: simple but effective, much like microwave cooking itself.