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blmblmhead · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1

My husband and I built a home 3 years ago. From the beginning we have had problems with when we would hit start on the microwave, it would not trip the GFI, rather it would trip the breaker in the basement. The electrician said it was not normal, but the house was wired correctly, must be a bad microwave.

So we bought a new microwave and plug into a different outlet in the kitchen and still get the same thing. The electrician came again and said that there must be something wrong, but he could not find anything. I went out to get my mail and left the tv on in the living room, when I came back in I went to turn the tv on, thinking I left in on, and it would not turn on. I went in the basement and found the breaker tripped. It also happens occasionally in the garage.

I am getting very disgusted that this can not be fixed and am beginning to think there is something very bad and the electrician does not want the cost of fixing the mess

Just Bill · Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2003 2:22 pm Post subject:

The microwave and refrigerator should not be on a GFCI, but should be on their own circuit and breaker. Motors tend to cause false tripping of GFCI devices. But I doubt that that is the problem. I would look for loose connections in the main breaker panel. If you do not have the knowledge or expertise to do this, call a professional. But I would not call the previous electrician back, he has already said it is not his error, and may be biased in his diagnosis.