Does a microwave need a special outlet?
The microwave oven needs a dedicated 20-amp, the 120/125-volt circuit to feed it. This will require 12/2 NM wire with a ground. Although it’s not uncommon to see microwave ovens plugged into standard appliance outlets, larger microwave ovens can draw as much as 1500 watts, and these need their own dedicated circuits.Click to see full…
The microwave oven needs a dedicated 20-amp, the 120/125-volt circuit to feed it. This will require 12/2 NM wire with a ground. Although it’s not uncommon to see microwave ovens plugged into standard appliance outlets, larger microwave ovens can draw as much as 1500 watts, and these need their own dedicated circuits.Click to see full answer. Similarly, you may ask, can you plug a microwave into a regular outlet?Most microwaves require a dedicated 20-amp, 120-125 volt circuit for safe operation. Although it’s not completely unrealistic to see a microwave plugged into a standard wall outlet, some models require more power. Large microwaves can draw 1500 watts of power or more, thus requiring their own dedicated circuit.Secondly, why does a microwave need a dedicated circuit? Microwave ovens often demand dedicated circuitry, but this isn’t always a necessity. The National Electrical Code requires it for all fixed equipment, so a circuit must be set aside for any built-in oven. Small or older countertop models draw less power than modern full-size units. Also to know is, what kind of outlet does a microwave need? Microwave Electrical Requirements and Breaker Size. Our countertop and over-the-range 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.Can a refrigerator and microwave be on the same circuit?Microwaves and refrigerators are heavy-duty appliances that use large amounts of energy and therefore need to be powered by a dedicated circuit. A dedicated circuit is designed for use by only one appliance.
