[Andrew9999]

I removed a range hood and called an electrician to put in a direct line for a microwave. He said I don't need one and his talking about slicing up my ceiling convinced me. So he just put in a new outlet in the cabinet above for the microwave. I bought and installed 1000 watt microwave. Plugged it in and tried vent and everything was working. Started cooking something and within 2 seconds, its power went out. And all power downstream from it. The ceiling fan/light in kitchen still worked as well as dining room light. The Living room ceiling light/fan did not work which seems to be downstream. The circuit breaker did not trip.

I called, but I am working a lot now and we could not agree on a time for him to come out. So I checked all gcfi's and flipped the circuit breaker a few times just in case. So trying to find the short, I intended to look at the wiring in the ceiling fan/light I installed two years ago in the kitchen which seems to be the next thing upstream. When I unsnapped the plastic wiring harness from the bottom light fixture to the top fan unit, the living light came on and now the microwave outlet has power.

I did not try plugging in the microwave. My question is is there some kind of GCFI within the ceiling fan/light?...I could find none. Why would it do this and should I just try and run the microwave with the the kitchen light/fan turned off?

Thanks for your time

 

[circuitman]

sounds like you have some loose connections. i would find the breaker that cuts off this circuit, & check all connections.:smile:

 

[joecaption]

No clue where you are since there's no location in your profile, but any modern code in the US would have called for that wiring for an over the stove microwave to be on it's own 20 amp. circuit.

 

[gregzoll]

Sounds like either a loose junction point or a GFCI that tripped. Also sounds more like you hired a Handyman not a licensed electrician.

 

[Jim Port]

If the hack had read the instructions they would have seen it calls for a dedicated circuit. Attempt to get your money back.

 

[Andrew9999]

Well everyone has a different answer. Appliance person at home depot insists a dedicated line is required while Lowes insists it does not require a dedicated line. The person is from an A rated electrical company on Angies List and has a card saying he is an electrician. The microwave instructions say a dedicated line should be used, but does not require one. I am in USA.
I appreciate the help. Will look at the wiring hopefully tomorrow.

 

[gregzoll]

Well everyone has a different answer. Appliance person at home depot insists a dedicated line is required while Lowes insists it does not require a dedicated line. The person is from an A rated electrical company on Angies List and has a card saying he is an electrician. The microwave instructions say a dedicated line should be used, but does not require one. I am in USA.
I appreciate the help. Will look at the wiring hopefully tomorrow.

Forget Lowe's, forget Home Depot, forget some person wandering around in the store handing out cards that state that they are on "Angie's List".

The line for the Microwave oven over the range, needs to be a dedicated 20 amp circuit, using 12/2 wire, or can be a part of a MWBC (Multi-Wire Branch Circuit), that 12/3 was pulled.

Everything you need to know about wiring that appliance can be found on here or in the online NEC that nfpa.org has available.

Running that circuit does not involve tearing up the ceiling or wall. Just need Fish Stick and Flexible Drill Bit for this job.

 

[Jim Port]

Running that circuit does not involve tearing up the ceiling or wall. Just need Fish Stick and Flexible Drill Bit for this job.

Glad to see your psychic abilities have not diminished and you can state without even seeing the house that no drywall work will need to be done.

Cleanup on the poopdeck, please.

 

[Arrow3030]

Range hoods are required to be on an individual circuit. I'm guessing this is a micro/hood. Not sure where the code says it has to be 20 amp, I think 15 amp would be okay for most unless the installation manual calls for 20

 

[Andrew9999]

I read that range hoods are required to be installed on an individual circuit for new buildings just for this reason. Homeowners replacing range hoods with microwaves. From what I read there is no requirement for current home owners to run a new line just for the range hood.

I dismantled the ceiling fan and the connections were secure with no signs of any charring. I redid them just to be sure. Yes I used electrical tape on the wire nuts. It must of been that plastic wiring harness connection thingamajik. Microwave works now with all lights on.

I will most likely call another electric company yo have a direct line ran later in the year when I work less.

Thanks

 

[gregzoll]

Andrew9999 it is not new buildings that requires a dedicated 20 amp circuit. It is required by thr NEC and local codes for it to be on a dedicated 20 amp circuit.

We get away with not having to jave a dedicated circuit requirement for Countertop units, because the NEC considers that they are going to be plugged into one of the outlets that is a part od thr SABC's (Small Appliance Branch Circuit). In reality all microwaves should be on their own circuit, considering that the majority are at least 1100 Watts.

Anytime there is a range hood without a Microwave or with, it is common practice to just go agead and pull the 12/2 or 12/3, so that someone later on does not have to go through the hassle of tearing apart the Kitchen to do something that should have been done in the beginning.

 

[Jump-start]

Andrew9999 it is not new buildings that requires a dedicated 20 amp circuit. It is required by thr NEC and local codes for it to be on a dedicated 20 amp circuit.

Can you show me the section? If you do it will prove you right. A hard wired range hood does not need a dedicated circuit. Technically neither does a microwave unless the instructions call for it.

We get away with not having to jave a dedicated circuit requirement for Countertop units, because the NEC considers that they are going to be plugged into one of the outlets that is a part od thr SABC's (Small Appliance Branch Circuit). In reality all microwaves should be on their own circuit, considering that the majority are at least 1100 Watts.

Correct, however I know of plenty microwaves running on the SABC just fine. Code knows its not an issue hence the way it is.

Anytime there is a range hood without a Microwave or with, it is common practice to just go agead and pull the 12/2 or 12/3, so that someone later on does not have to go through the hassle of tearing apart the Kitchen to do something that should have been done in the beginning.

12/3? For what?

 

[Jim Port]

The line for the Microwave oven over the range, needs to be a dedicated 20 amp circuit, using 12/2 wire, or can be a part of a MWBC (Multi-Wire Branch Circuit), that 12/3 was pulled.

Sorry, Greg is wrong. The code does not call for a 20 amp circuit. The code calls for the instructions to be followed.

This section also only applies to a cord and plug connected range hood, which explains the original installation. A hardwired range hood can be part of the lighting circuit.

From the 2011 National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, not the Naval Electrical Code.

(4) Range Hoods. Range hoods shall be permitted to be
cord-and-plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as
suitable for use on range hoods in the installation instructions
of the appliance manufacturer, where all of the following
conditions are met:
(1) The flexible cord is terminated with a grounding-type
attachment plug.
Exception: A listed range hood distinctly marked to identify
it as protected by a system of double insulation, or its
equivalent, shall not be required to be terminated with a
grounding-type attachment plug.
(2) The length of the cord is not less than 450 mm (18 in.)
and not over 900 mm (36 in.).
(3) Receptacles are located to avoid physical damage to the
flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle is accessible.
(5) The receptacle is supplied by an individual branch
circuit.

 

[Jim Port]

Range hoods are required to be on an individual circuit. I'm guessing this is a micro/hood. Not sure where the code says it has to be 20 amp, I think 15 amp would be okay for most unless the installation manual calls for 20

Cord and plug connected range hoods require the dedicated circuit. Hardwired do not. Given the chance that it will be changed at a later date to a microhood it would make sense if the dedicated circuit was required for both, but that is not what the code currently states.

See my post above for the code cite.