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Electrical Wiring

Microwave -20 amp and 15 amp questions

16 years ago

I am remodeling our kitchen and have removed a GE OTR microwave and bought a counter top Panasonic microwave.

The old GE microwave required a 15 amp 120v outlet.

The new Panasonic counter top microwave requires a 20 amp 120v 60 hz outlet.

This is my problem. Since we are remodeling, I need to put the new Panasonic microwave in a temporary place for about two weeks. This requires that for a short time I use an extension cord.

I can not find an extension cord rated 20 amps without it having a different plug than the microwave. The microwave has a regular 3 prong.

I purchased a Woods brand 12/3 15 amp cord. Will this do?

The final location for the Panasonic Microwave has a kitchen gfci outlet -20amp

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (7)

billhart
16 years ago
What guage wire is in the cord you have? There are plenty of #12 extension cords out there in the building supply stores.
bigbird_1
16 years ago
"I purchased a Woods brand 12/3 15 amp cord. Will this do?"

If the extension is short, under 50', then #12 is OK for 20A. Worst case scenario is that for 2 weeks the extension MIGHT get warm. I wouldn't worry about it.
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I'm an electrician (not residential) but going by his abbreviations I think you may be a bit confused on how it works. The 1st item item is a 200 amp main breaker (mb) 40 space panel which is a standard in any new home. The 2nd item is a 200 amp disconnect that he's using to either turn off your main power out by the meter cabinet or to disconnect power the power to to the sub panel which is item #3. You'll notice it doesn't say MB which means it will be fed from your main panel. Not knowing if he plans on putting them right next to each other on different sides of the house I can't say for sure his plan. Basically it seems like your getting a standard 200 amp service but an additional panel that allow you plenty of room to add circuits in the future. I agree with him and did the same in my house because with today's electrical codes your not left with a lot of circuits and adding a panel later would much more of a hassle than it would be now. Hope this might help.
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lsst
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the replies,
The extension cord is just two feet long.
jcthorne
16 years ago
A regular 120V plug with 2 parrallel blades is NOT a 20amp connector. Its 15amp. A 20amp plug will have one horizontal and one vertical blade, plus ground.
lsst
Original Author
16 years ago
jcthorne,
That is what is throwing me off. The plug is a 15 amp plug yet the microwave manual states that it requires 120v 20amp 60hz.

In the past all my other microwaves were 120v 15amp 60hz.

Thanks
itsunclebill
16 years ago
If the microwave has a 15 AMP cord cap (plug) then a short 15 AMP rated extension cord will be fine. If the cord cap had one blade turned 90Â° then you'd need the 20 AMP cord.

The circuit needs to have a 20 AMP breaker (and #12 wire) because of the microwave's rating and the fact it can be a continuous load (defined as 3 or more hours). The rules change at the receptacle. The microwave wouldn't have a 15 AMP cord cap on it if a #14 cord wasn't acceptable to use on it for at least a short distance.
lsst
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone! That answers my questions exactly!

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