I'm just about wrapped up with a remodel for Moms place. I need to get power to a range hood with blower. Right now I have the microwave on a dedicated 20 amp circuit and would like to add the blower to this circuit as well. Blower pulls 4 amps. The microwave is 1200 watts but no where can I find how many amps it pulls. The instructions do say it can be ran on a 15 or 20 amp circuit. Using a basic conversion table I'm showing 10 amps but is it that simple? Microwave is not an over the range microwave, just a standalone so no blower for the microwave. I guess if I start tripping the breaker I'll know my answer.
Electrical Question
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Sodo
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120volts x 10 amps = 1200 watts. 20 amps is PLENTY to run those 2 devices even a little headroom for a larger microwave in the future.
CobyRupert
Super Member
Yes, I believe it is that simple.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Thanks, I've been doing it wrong. I always just remove the last two zero's for watts to figure out how many amps I'm using. I would have said 1,200 watts was 12 amps.
mddorange
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I guess your method allowed for a little extra .
CobyRupert
Super Member
Which is good, since in most instances the Code requires you to size cable (and thus associated circuit breaker) to be at least 125% of the (continuous) current load. So 10 amps x 125% = 12.5 amps.
So glad I went to a Technical high school :|
Bookmark these links, they might come in helpful:
Watts/Volts/Amps/Ohms conversion calculator
Wire gauge calculator
Learn how to properly make basic electrical connections, like how to make a hook that is held by a screw and practice on a scrap piece of wire before attempting. Buy a decent mechanical wire stripper if you are not good with a knife. Google things like "making safe wire connections" and read everything until you completely understand it.
:reading: Electricity is only scary stuff to work with if you do not understand it.
Bookmark these links, they might come in helpful:
Watts/Volts/Amps/Ohms conversion calculator
Wire gauge calculator
Learn how to properly make basic electrical connections, like how to make a hook that is held by a screw and practice on a scrap piece of wire before attempting. Buy a decent mechanical wire stripper if you are not good with a knife. Google things like "making safe wire connections" and read everything until you completely understand it.
:reading: Electricity is only scary stuff to work with if you do not understand it.
House is all 12 gauge wire, even on the 15 amp circuits so I'm good there. Thanks.
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
Power = Volts x Amps
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Now now, lets not get off down into the inductive or capacitive reactive loads weeds.
There is always more to the story, but lets just pretend that these load are resistive for our purposes here.
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
Watts is the unit of measurement for real power.
I should have said P=VI, as amps is the unit for current.
Resistive Real power has power factor=1
I should have said P=VI, as amps is the unit for current.
Resistive Real power has power factor=1
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
I represent that remark. :laughing:
Course for a 1200w (pf=1) microwave we assume single phase 120v, or else there would be a 1.73 included in the formula. Not aware of 3 phase microwave so a pretty safe assumption.
Nerd off.
Course for a 1200w (pf=1) microwave we assume single phase 120v, or else there would be a 1.73 included in the formula. Not aware of 3 phase microwave so a pretty safe assumption.
Nerd off.
CobyRupert
Super Member
Whoa, whoa, whoa, lets stop right here, next thing you know we'll be bringing the National Electrical Code, Article 430.24 "Several Motors or a Motor(s) and Other Load(s)" , and having discussions about whether a microwave represents a continuous or non-continuous non-motor load. (Do you plan on microwaving your Christmas turkey for more than 3 continuous hours?)
And this is why I love this site. One very basic question is now going two pages strong. Lots of information that I may or may not ever use but always enjoyable to read.
dstig1
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Umm pretty sure microwaves are required to have their own circuit, at least up here. We are supposed to put the micro on it's own 20A circuit. What these folks have currently for a microwave is not necessarily what they will have down the road either. Vent hoods don't take a lot of power, but microwaves do. I tie the vent hood into a light circuit or something else. Leave the micro on it's own circuit.
PILOON
Super Star Member
Fridge, dishwasher, microwave and freezer should each have a dedicated circuit.
Add water pumps.
I'd also include a garberater if I used one.
My kitchen uses 12 gauge and only ONE half outlet per breaker, that's 6 outlets and 12 breakers.
We can plug anything in anywhere and all at the same time!
What with waffle irons, toasters, blenders, bread ovens deep friars and whatever new gadget that comes along we should be well prepared.
Also 3 kitchen outlets are routed via the generator switch over panel for those ever so often outages.
Add water pumps.
I'd also include a garberater if I used one.
My kitchen uses 12 gauge and only ONE half outlet per breaker, that's 6 outlets and 12 breakers.
We can plug anything in anywhere and all at the same time!
What with waffle irons, toasters, blenders, bread ovens deep friars and whatever new gadget that comes along we should be well prepared.
Also 3 kitchen outlets are routed via the generator switch over panel for those ever so often outages.
