Can I plug a microwave in the same outlet as a fridge?
I heard somewhere that because microwaves draw a lot of power, they should be plugged into a dedicated outlet. My kitchen is set up funny, so the only options for my microwave are to share the outlet with the fridge, or buy an extension cord (or just plug the dang thing in the living room!). Which is safest?
If your home was built before 1980 or so, most likely, the circuit or circuits feeding your kitchen plugs share plugs and lights with other sections of your home. After 1980 we were wiring dedicated circuits to kitchens. This was fine until the 90’s when more powerful microwaves were made. A microwave will pull from 7-13 amps depending on the wattage. Now,we are required to run a dedicated circuit to the microwave if it has a fixed position in the kitchen. Having said all that, If you notice a drain in your lighting or refer light or are tripping the circuit, when your microwave is on, you should have an electrical contractor install a new (dedicated) circuit for your microwave.
LifeStage Solutions – Infrared Saunas – Part 2
