Kitchen Outlet For Microwave

You generally don t have to worry about gfci protection because the outlet is usually hidden behind the appliance and is protected from moisture.

Kitchen outlet for microwave. Microwave outlets are different from other outlets in the kitchen since they often attach to a cabinet and you string the wiring through the bottom of the cabinet. Over the range microwave wiring requirements are similar to those for a refrigerator. Again there is no code as far as the height of the outlet from the base of the cabinet but a 2 inch height moves the installation of the outlet away from the framework of the cabinet. Small appliance circuit countertop space wall and hallway space.

In kitchens it is common practice that if a microwave oven will be installed at a given location such as hood fan microwave ovens that a dedicated 20 amp circuit is always installed. Wiring electrical outlets for the home. How to install a receptacle for a microwave. The microwave must plug into a 20 amp dedicated circuit and the circuit requires afci protection.

The nec also permits a 16 amp load on a 20 amp branch circuit. The nec code article 422 16 b 4 states that due to the inaccessible location of the receptacle outlet in the upper cabinet it is not required to have gfci protection. This electrical wiring project is about a gfci outlet in the kitchen of a new home. All 15 amp and 20 amp outlets whether gfci or not must be tamper resistant in the following kitchen related places.

This load is the maximum load permitted by the national electrical code nec on a 15 amp branch circuit. Is a gfci outlet required for a microwave oven. Problem with a gfci outlet for a microwave oven. Compare this to the requirements for a bedroom or other living area where a single general purpose lighting circuit can serve all the light fixtures and plug in outlets.

If you have not done electrical work for a few years you may be surprised by this requirement.