Every time I run my microwave and toaster at the same time, the circuit breaker trips. This never happened in my old apartment. Is there a fix?
This is a classic circuit overload. Your microwave draws about 12-15 amps and a toaster draws about 8-10 amps. Together that is 20-25 amps on a circuit that is likely rated for only 15 or 20 amps. The breaker is doing exactly what it is supposed to do by tripping before the wires overheat. The simplest fix is to plug the microwave and toaster into outlets on different circuits. Check which outlets are on the same circuit by flipping individual breakers and testing outlets with a phone charger. In many kitchens, the countertop outlets are split between two circuits for exactly this reason. If all your kitchen outlets are on one circuit, an electrician can add a dedicated 20-amp circuit for about $200-350. Modern electrical code requires at least two 20-amp small appliance circuits in the kitchen, so your home may not meet current code. Never replace a 15-amp breaker with a 20-amp breaker as a shortcut because the wiring may not be rated for the higher amperage and this creates a fire risk.
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