Electrical Circuit for a Combo Oven and Microwave

How to Wire a Circuit for an Oven and Microwave Combo: Combo Oven and Microwave Circuit, Oven Microwave Circuit Requirements. © By: Dave Rongey

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How to Wire a Circuit for an Oven and Microwave Combo
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I have a combo microwave and wall oven that requires 120 volts for the microwave and 240 volts for the wall oven.

• Combo Microwave Wall Oven
  Both voltages are provides by one 4-wire cable with dual circuit breaker protection for the 240 volt circuit.
• 120 Volt Microwave Oven
  It looks like this leaves the 120 volt microwave oven as well as the wall oven components operating at 120 volts such as the controls, lighting and convection fan without the usual 15 amp circuit breaker protection since the 240 volt circuit, which also carries the 120 volt.
• 30 Amp 240 Volt Circuit
  The circuit has dual 30 amp circuit breakers. Because of the amperage rating of the two oven units, it  looks like when the microwave oven operates at the same time as the wall oven at peak power, the circuit breaker might trip.

Am I overlooking something?

This electrical wiring question came from: Ray, a Other from Avon, Connecticut.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Ray.

Preparation
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical project is best installed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Appliance Technician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Battery Operated Drill Motor, a support for the oven before inserting it into the cabinet.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and connect 220 volt electrical circuit wiring.
Precaution: Identify the oven circuit at the panel, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before making the oven wiring connections.
Notice: When installing an additional 220 volt oven circuit  the work should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Combo Oven and Microwave Circuit

Ray, I understand your point of view, however please consider the following:

• Combo Wall Oven Circuit
  The internal circuit design of this equipment such as this is carefully designed to prevent circuit overload and circuit balanced loading as much as possible.
• 240 Volt Oven Circuit
  When a 3-Wire with ground circuit such as this is used the internal devices can be connected so the overall load will be equal as much as possible due to the internal wiring assignments.
• 120 Volt Oven Control
  When 120 volt circuits are split off and used for lower current devices such as the clock, oven light, fan etc.,  they are usually protected by internal fuses which provide protection for that circuit.

High Temperature Wire Insulation Types

• You may also observe that the wire gauges may be smaller as well, and this is due to the type of insulation of the internal wiring.
• This type of  wire insulation can withstand higher temperatures and still deliver the required level of electricity.

Oven Microwave Circuit Requirements

• The manufacturers Installation and Operation Manual is always the main guide for circuit type and size.
• By following their requirements you will be ensured that your oven and microwave will operate properly and the be equipment will be covered under warranty as described in the owners manual.

More about Oven Circuit Wiring

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• Wiring a Range
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