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If the code says you have to have a separate circuit, it does not mean just upstairs, it also means in the basement. The basement wiring was probably not considered a micro wave, etc., would be used down there, and the wiring just cannot handle everything on the circuit when both appliances are used.
You may want to check to see if the circuit breaker is not really functioning correctly and needs replaced. This is often a problem that is overlooked. You may want to check that the wiring connections are all tight. A slightly loose connection, will cause the problem you are having.
If the code says you have to have a separate circuit, it does not mean just upstairs, it also means in the basement. The basement wiring was probably not considered a micro wave, etc., would be used down there, and the wiring just cannot handle everything on the circuit when both appliances are used.
You may want to check to see if the circuit breaker is not really functioning correctly and needs replaced. This is often a problem that is overlooked. You may want to check that the wiring connections are all tight. A slightly loose connection, will cause the problem you are having.
He used a vacuum and microwave at the same time the breaker is fine and doing it's job. The circuit was definitely overloaded.
He used a vacuum and microwave at the same time the breaker is fine and doing it's job. The circuit was definitely overloaded.
That is not necessarily correct. A circuit breaker that has started to go bad, can trip as he is experiencing. I have changed numerous circuit breakers as they started to start to kick off like his is. When tested, the circuit breaker was not able to handle the normal load on the wiring. They would handle lower loads, but not one well within the capability of the wiring. The same for ground fault protectors such as
I have replaced 4 ground fault protectors in our home in the past 2 years. Just turning on the microwave would kick one out. Another went out with a waffle iron and a can opener. We have 3 in our kitchen alone.
The first thing I would do, is check the circuit breaker to see if it is still good. There are utube videos available to show you how to do this. If you don't have the testers, the breakers are cheap enough, just buy one and replace the old one. If it now handles the two appliances, it is a breaker problem. If not, then there are other problems. See if the wiring is aluminum instead of copper, which can be a serious problem, and the home may then need the aluminum wiring replaced with copper wiring.
As a 30+ year Electrician the 1st thing I would do is check to see what size the breaker was. If it is a 15 Amp then it is working just fine and it was overloaded. Simple. A small upright vacuum will draw 5-8 amps, a small/medium sized Microwave will draw over 10 amps easily.
That is not necessarily correct. A circuit breaker that has started to go bad, can trip as he is experiencing. I have changed numerous circuit breakers as they started to start to kick off like his is. When tested, the circuit breaker was not able to handle the normal load on the wiring. They would handle lower loads, but not one well within the capability of the wiring. The same for ground fault protectors such as
I have replaced 4 ground fault protectors in our home in the past 2 years. Just turning on the microwave would kick one out. Another went out with a waffle iron and a can opener. We have 3 in our kitchen alone.
The first thing I would do, is check the circuit breaker to see if it is still good. There are utube videos available to show you how to do this. If you don't have the testers, the breakers are cheap enough, just buy one and replace the old one. If it now handles the two appliances, it is a breaker problem. If not, then there are other problems. See if the wiring is aluminum instead of copper, which can be a serious problem, and the home may then need the aluminum wiring replaced with copper wiring.
Not trying to be a wise guy but I'm a trained licensed electrician in business and most of my work is residential. Again he most likely simply overloaded the circuit. Many vacuums draw 12 amps my vacuum does and my microwave is 1250 watts so that's about 10.5 amps so your at 22.5 amps so you would overload a 15 or a 20 amp circuit it doesn't matter.
Multiple high current devices plugged into a general convenience receptacle is almost always going to trip the breaker.
Also in rare cases the vacuum could have an issue with a ground fault causing the breaker to trip.
How does a loose connection cause a circuit breaker to trip?
A loose connection increases resistance on the circuit which creates heat and breakers trip from high heat. Also a loose connection that is arcing will trip an AFCI breaker.
as a 30+ year electrician the 1st thing i would do is check to see what size the breaker was. If it is a 15 amp then it is working just fine and it was overloaded. Simple. A small upright vacuum will draw 5-8 amps, a small/medium sized microwave will draw over 10 amps easily.
See if the wiring is aluminum instead of copper, which can be a serious problem, and the home may then need the aluminum wiring replaced with copper wiring.
Aluminum wiring is fine, as long as you use the correct connectors, receptacles and switches. The wires coming into any house are almost certainly aluminum.
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