Common Reasons Your Microwave Trips the Breaker

Nowadays people are so fond of microwaves and why not? It makes the complete process so easy and tasty that everyone loves it. But there can be a weak point of this amazingly smart tool i.e. it might trip your home circuit breaker. Well if you are one of those, this article is for you.

Why is My Microwave Tripping the Breaker?

Isn’t it frustrating when your favorite device keeps tripping the home circuit breaker? we’ll definitely, Yes. But it is completely the fault of the device there can be many reasons behind it. Many people think the device has been damaged or is working properly due to which they are facing the problem. To be honest this can be one of the reasons but not the only reason. In today’s article, we will be learning about some of the major possibilities that can trip your home circuit breaker and how we can fix it.

What are the Reasons Why the Microwave is Tripping Your Breaker?

If your microwave is frequently tripping the breaker and you keep repairing it but still the issue is not resolved then the problem is not just with the microwave. There can be many other reasons, like an overloaded circuit breaker, faulty capacitor, or using too many appliances at the same time. So without wasting any more time let’s learn about all these issues in detail.

1. Overloaded Circuit Breaker

Every circuit has a predetermined value of its maximum electricity flow capacity. If the breaker is tripping more frequently, then there might be more electricity flow than the circuit can handle. It usually happens when an individual is using too many appliances at the same time. But it cannot be the only reason, because nowadays there are many devices in the market that consume a lot of electricity while working. So there can be just one device or more that affects the current flow of the circuit.

2. Defective Microwave

Microwaves can malfunction in such cases, the reason being. If the microwave is defective then it will consume more electricity to work because of which the circuit will get overloaded. As discussed in the above segment if the circuits get overloaded with the current flow then it causes the tripping of the breaker.

3. Electrical Supply Problem

Electrical supply is the most common yet less noticeable problem in most situations. Many people don’t think about it, as they start assuming there can be an issue with the device or wiring but not with the electricity supply. Well, that’s not true. Users can face tripping off their breakers due to electricity supply. The supply issue usually occurs due to voltage fluctuations, frequency variations, or intermittent power supply. that disturbs the proper current flow. Because of this, the breaker gets tripped.

4. Faulty Capacitor

The capacitor is a device that is used to store electricity and release it when there is a requirement. Generally, the faulty capacitor is not a direct reason for breaker tripping. As this device itself is made to regularize the current flow in the circuit which reduces the risk of tripping a breaker. But there are chances the capacitor might function strangely due to the inrush of the current which might even cause its short circuit.

5. Malfunctioning Door Safety Latch

Door safety latches are the least expected issue that might cause the tripping of the breaker. The door safety latches are mechanical components that have no direct connection with the breaker or current flow, but they work along with the microwave interlock switches. That is why if the door safety latch is not working properly it will lead to the malfunctioning of the microwave. The device might not start or will stop in the middle of the process and this can lead to tripping of your breaker.

6. Turntable Motor Problem

Just like a malfunctioning door safety latch a Turntable motor cannot be the direct cause of breaker tripping. But yes, if the Turntable motor starts functioning strangely it might cause the microwave to malfunction which might disturb the current flow and it will cause the breaker to trip. The Turntable motor problem can occur due to a short circuit in the motor wiring or if the motor gets overloaded.

7. Issues With the High-Voltage Section

A high-voltage section in any electrical appliance is one of the parts of the device that deals with the generation and management of high-voltage to complete specific tasks. In the microwave case, the key elements of the high-voltage section can be a magnetron, a high-voltage capacitor/ transformer, or a high-voltage diode. These elements are generally used to generate radiation in the microwave so that it can be used for cooking. If any of these components has a problem in working it will directly lead to a malfunctioning of the microwave and then it will cause the trip of the breaker.

8. Using too Many Appliances Simultaneously, in the Same Circuit

Every circuit has a predetermined value of maximum capacity it can hold in terms of current flow. Generally, home appliances do not consume much energy which is good for general circuits. But if a user adds too many appliances in the same circuit it might lead to a short circuit or tripping of the breaker. The reason is, that adding too many appliances will increase the demand for current flow, because of which the circuit might get overloaded.

9. Aging of Wires and Outlets

Every electrical component requires maintenance on a regular basis. As these components are in continuous working from the time of their installation. Because of this, there is a gradual deterioration in the components like wires and outlets. This can lead to an unstable current flow in the circuit. The malfunctioning of the wire and outlets can damage appliances permanently and can also lead to a short circuit or trip of the breaker.

10. Diode Issues

A Diode is a very crucial component in any electrical system. The basic working principle of the diode is to convert the alternating current coming from the transformer into a direct current which will be used for the magnetron. If any disturbance occurs in the working of the diode it will directly lead to the malfunctioning of the magnetron and this will cause problems for the microwave.

How to Fix the Microwave Tripping Circuit Breaker?

1. Check the Circuit Breaker

Checking the circuit breaker is an important task to avoid frequent tripping of the breaker. Firstly you just need to Locate the Circuit breaker and check if there is any already tripped breaker. If you see any of them in the off position turn them On. You can also reset the breaker by moving it from the On position to Off and then moving back to the On position again. If the breaker again falls to the off position and you feel it slightly loose, then it’s an indication that the breaker is tripped.

Note: Make sure you unplug all the appliances before proceeding further and also prioritize your safety first if you are unsure of any of this you can always seek help from professionals

2. Make Sure the Microwave isn’t the Fault

Finding the cause of breaker tripping is a really tough job, there can be many possibilities that might lead to it. But a user can always start with the microwave itself. Make sure the microwave is working fine and it has no faults in it. A user can identify the microwave fault by its malfunctioning like not generating enough heat or turning off automatically in the middle of a task. These are some of the issues a user might face if there is a fault in the microwave. And if you experience any of such it is better to contact professional support to avoid any future problems.

3. Inspect the Door Safety Latch

The door safety latch may be just a mechanical component but has crucial working in the microwave system of the microwave. As they are aligned directly with the internal switch-locking system of the microwave. The malfunctioning of the door safety latch may lead to improper closing of the microwave door. So before proceeding any further make sure you check the microwave door is closing properly.

4. Inspect the Turntable Motor

The turntable motor is a very important component in any microwave. A turntable motor is used to rotate the tray present in the middle of the cooking compartment.

Malfunctioning of the turntable motor can also lead to tripping of the breaker. It is better to check if the motor is working properly. Below is the step-by-step guide to inspect the turntable motor.

Step 1: Unplug the microwave

Step 2: Check if direct access is possible to the motor if not then remove the other supporting components.

Step 3: Check if there is any physical damage to the component.

Step 4: Check if the rotation of the motor is smooth and has no disturbance by manually rotating the motor.

Step 5: Check if the shaft that connects the motor to the tray is clean and has no problem functioning.

Note: One can identify the problem in the shaft if it creates a noise while functioning.

If everything seems fine you can connect all the components back in the proper manner and can seek a professional’s help for any further processing.

5. Inspect the Capacitor

Before inspecting any electrical component make sure the device is unplugged or disconnected from the power source. Once done then have a quick visual inspection and check for any physical damage or crack present there on the body of the device. If the capacitor is faulty you might sense a burnt smell from the device. It is always advised to seek professional help for the inspection of electrical appliances.

Microwave Trips Breaker – FAQs

Conclusion

Microwave is a very important device in any regular household, it has changed the methods of cooking and reheating leftovers. But it can also be one of the major reasons to trip a circuit breaker due to its malfunction. Tripping of the breaker can happen for many reasons like an overload circuit or faulty components. One can always avoid such instances by having a regular inspection of their appliances, circuits, and outlets. If you identify or sense any unusual issue with an appliance or circuit make sure you seek help from the professionals and prioritize your safety first.