Do you know how many amps does a microwave use? If not, you should read this article. Many people don’t think about how much power their appliances are using, and they can end up blowing a fuse or even starting a fire!
In this article, we will discuss how microwaves use electricity and how to calculate the amps they use. We will also talk about why it is important to stay away from extension cords and how to calculate the power usage of your microwave.
Microwaves consume between 5 and 10 amps (on average). The number of amps used by a microwave is determined by the type of microwave, the wattage of the microwave, and whether any other appliance is plugged into the same outlet.
As a result, it’s critical to understand how many amps a microwave consumes.
Amps: How to Calculate?
The amperage of a microwave may be calculated in a variety of ways. The most straightforward method is to consult your owner’s manual, which will have most of the electrical requirements and outputs for the appliance.
The amperage of a microwave can also be calculated by dividing the wattage by the voltage.
Product Description
The first step is to look for the product information for your microwave. If you have the owner’s manual, you shouldn’t have to compute the amperage since it will explain everything.
There are various methods for obtaining product knowledge if you don’t have the owner’s handbook in mind.
The model number is often imprinted on the back of a microwave. You may also go online to discover a digital version of the owner’s manual using this information.
Simple Calculation
If the owner’s manual doesn’t contain the amperage of a microwave or isn’t readily available, you may use a straightforward calculation to determine the amps it consumes. The wattage of a microwave may be divided by the voltage to obtain its amps.
The wattage of a microwave is the device’s power rating, which indicates how much electricity it consumes. The amperage of a microwave can be calculated in this way.
The majority of US outlets are rated between 110 and 120 volts, so divide the number by your microwave’s wattage to get its amp draw. For example, a 1,200-watt microwave with 120 volts has 10 amps.
The Necessity of Microwave’s Separate Circuit
It’s vital to have your microwave on its own circuit, regardless of how many amps it consumes. That is due to the fact that when the microwave initially starts or changes cycles, it can pull a substantial number of amps.
Most microwaves can be plugged into a 20-amp circuit. However, if the appliance is greater than 1,100 watts, you’ll need more than that. A 1,200-watt microwave oven, for example, draws approximately 2,040 watts.
As a result, there should be enough supply power for that because it can accommodate up to 2,400 watts at 80 percent.
High Wattage vs. Low Wattage
High Wattage
Microwaves with high wattage (1,200+ watts) will come first. High-wattage microwaves (1,200+ watts) cook food fast and evenly because of their higher power.
These microwaves are generally bigger (on average) and come with sophisticated features or cooking settings. This makes high-watt microwave ovens useful for individuals who want their meals prepared quickly and uniformly.
However, there are a few disadvantages to utilizing a powerful microwave.
The main disadvantage is that high-watt microwaves use more electricity. Unfortunately, additional wattage equals an increase in your utility bill. Another issue is that a large microwave requires a special power outlet.
Having insufficient amps will result in numerous problems and put you at risk of electrical shocks. It also restricts the number of appliances you can operate using extension cords.
Low Wattage
Microwaves with a small wattage (600 watts) are ideal for individuals on a budget who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a big/expensive microwave. A low-watt microwave is cost-effective to run and may be used in most outlets.
In addition, because these microwaves have such little wattage, they’re more adaptable to extension cords and can accommodate many appliances at the same outlet.
Microwaves using less than 1,000 watts have advantages as well as drawbacks. The most significant disadvantage is that they take longer to cook things. Another issue is that the food isn’t uniformly cooked.
As a result, these microwaves are made for people who value cost savings above food quality.
Power Usage: How to Determine?
While the average microwave costs approximately $10 per year to operate, we’ll provide you with a formula for calculating the energy consumption on your own. Follow these steps to complete the task.
- Determine how often the microwave is utilized each day. For example, we’ll use 15 minutes as a basis for the calculation.
- Multiply the wattage by the number of hours the microwave is used each day: 250 watts = 1,000 watts x.25 hours (15 minutes)
- Convert the wattage you obtain into kilowatts, which is a lesser measure of wattage. In conclusion, divide the wattage by 1,000. Hence, 0.25 kilowatts is obtained when 250 watts are divided by 1,000.
- Take the kilowatt usage and multiply it by the cost of power per day. The total for 15 minutes is around $.02 per day.
- Multiply that number with 365 (i.e., the number of days in a year) to get the yearly consumption.
With your microwave, you may input the numbers into these algorithms to obtain the answer.
Why Amperage Information is Crucial?
What can you do with your new understanding of microwave amps? You may use it to make informed purchases and ensure that your microwave is properly wired.
Your Next Microwave
When looking for a home kitchen, choose a high-wattage microwave (800 watts or more) in the same color as the rest of your appliances.
The next thing to consider is the size of the microwave and its features. The amount of room in your kitchen is unquestionably useful.
A little microwave, on the other hand, may not accommodate larger plates, and attempting to cram a huge plate into a tiny microwave might be dangerous.
Electrical Requirements
Before you connect your new microwave, double-check that the circuit you’ll be using can handle the amperage requirements.
If you have multiple devices connected to the same circuit, most experts recommend putting the microwave on its own circuit. When running simultaneously, make sure the circuit can handle all of your connected gadgets’ amperages.
Professional electricians advise that you overestimate the required amperage by about 20% in order to avoid problems. For example, a microwave that needs almost 10 amps likely requires a 15-amp circuit.
Why Should You Avoid Extension Cords?
It is generally accepted that air conditioners, refrigerators, and microwaves should not be used with extension cords. Here are some of the reasons why this is so:
Fire Hazard
Microwaves are designed with a short and stocky supply cord for a reason: because they require such a large quantity of power, thinner cables won’t be able to handle it.
Extension cords have a lesser gauge (thickness) than the standard wire within a microwave supply cable and also the wiring inside an ordinary house socket.
If you use an extension cord to connect your microwave. it is possible that it will overheat and catch fire. You should connect your microwave to a grounded house outlet to ensure safety.
Voltage Drop
The resistance of wire may also be adjusted by changing its length and thickness. Basically, the greater the electrical resistance, the longer and thinner it is (remember why microwaves have short and thick wires?); as a result, a voltage drop occurs along the route.
The electricity that arrives at your home after being converted from a lower voltage is commonly too low, and it will eventually cause harm to your microwave.
Ohm’s law states that voltage and amperes are inversely proportional, hence, the lower the voltage, the higher the amperage.
The greater the number of amps flowing, the more heat is produced. The components in your microwave can be destroyed by this heat, decreasing its longevity.
Conclusion
While “how many amps does a microwave use?” may not be the first thing on your mind when you’re whipping up a meal, it’s still an important consideration.
Wattage, amperage, and circuit breakers are all electrical terms that you should familiarize yourself with to ensure the safety of your home and appliances.
In short, microwaves require a lot of power to operate and should have their own circuit to avoid overloading other devices or causing a fire.
Lastly, you should also be aware of how to calculate the power usage, and why extension cords are best avoided.
FAQs
Can I plug a microwave into a regular outlet?
The short answer is yes, you can plug a microwave into a regular outlet. However, we do not recommend doing so for several reasons. As we’ve discussed, microwaves require a lot of power to operate and should have their own circuit to avoid overloading other devices or causing a fire.
How do I know the amp of my microwave?
The easiest way to determine the amperage of your microwave is to look at the label on the back or bottom of the unit. The amperage will be listed in either amp (A) or watts (W).
How many amps does a 1000w microwave draw?
A 1000-watt microwave will usually draw between 11 and 12 amps. However, we recommend checking the label on the back or bottom of your unit to be sure.
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