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Put a microwave in the basement and plugged it into a receptacle that had not been used in several yrs. While the microwave was cooking, I started vacuuming, using the vacuum cleaner's usual receptacle located across the room. When both devices were being used simultaneously, a circuit breaker tripped ... twice. When just one of the devices is used, there's no problem.
Here's the issue: the circuit breaker is located on the Kohler generator panel, not the regular panel. But the generator was off; the house was being powered by the regular utility grid. How could a generator circuit breaker be affected when the house was on the grid???
Because when the generator is OFF, the breakers are powered by the utility company, when the main power goes down, the transfer switch changes over to using the generator panel for power. A microwave is suppose to have its own circuit, if your using the micro you will almost certainly trip the breaker if you plug in something else. Obviously, both of those outlets are on the same circuit.
Microwaves and vacuum cleaners are both power hogs and each on their own can use almost the maximum amount of amperage (electricity) available on one circuit.
The way to solve the problem is to plug the vacuum cleaner into an outlet on another circuit. Or call an electrician and have a dedicated circuit/outlet installed for the microwave. This is commonly done in new kitchens.
Microwaves and vacuum cleaners are both power hogs and each on their own can use almost the maximum amount of amperage (electricity) available on one circuit.
The way to solve the problem is to plug the vacuum cleaner into an outlet on another circuit. Or call an electrician and have a dedicated circuit/outlet installed for the microwave. This is commonly done in new kitchens.
Doesn't current code state to have a dedicated circuit for microwaves?
Because when the generator is OFF, the breakers are powered by the utility company,
OK, I guess what you're saying is that when the generator was installed, the electrician removed the circuit breakers from the main panel and transferred them to the generator panel, except for those breakers that aren't on the generator. E.g., the washer, dryer, and air conditioner are not on the generator as they were considered as nonessential power hogs that might overtax the generator. And so their breakers are on the original panel.
Doesn't current code state to have a dedicated circuit for microwaves?
Codes are different in different states / areas (ask your local electrical inspector).
Also note the OP has the microwave in the basement - it would be hard to know that was going to be done in advance when building the house or re-wiring - when those things would be inspected.
Put a microwave in the basement and plugged it into a receptacle that had not been used in several yrs. While the microwave was cooking, I started vacuuming, using the vacuum cleaner's usual receptacle located across the room. When both devices were being used simultaneously, a circuit breaker tripped ... twice. When just one of the devices is used, there's no problem.
Here's the issue: the circuit breaker is located on the Kohler generator panel, not the regular panel. But the generator was off; the house was being powered by the regular utility grid. How could a generator circuit breaker be affected when the house was on the grid???
This is a normal setup for the breaker to be in the gen panel. The breaker still functions like it's supposed to just like it does in the main panel. You are overloading the circuit easily. A vacuum draws up to 12 amps and and microwave can draw up to 16+ amps. If you had a 15 or 20 amp circuit they are both overloaded.
The micro is probably plugged into a regular circuit meant for lighting and such. You just have too many high amp items on the same circuit, which is just not meant for that. Don't vacuum and micro at the same time, or plug the vac somewhere else.
Doesn't current code state to have a dedicated circuit for microwaves?
In a basement?
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