is constant ELECTRICITY bad??? Too hot for wires???

Is constantly having 700 watts + laptop + fridge+ lights ALL on only 1 circuit which blows when I turn the microwave on dangerous?

I always think my place is going to burn down.

it's on 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

do you know what wires you have?is it 12/2 or 14/2 ? what size breaker is it on?

pftek said:

Is constantly having 700 watts + laptop + fridge+ lights ALL on only 1 circuit which blows when I turn the microwave on dangerous?

I always think my place is going to burn down.

it's on 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Click to expand...

Hi there techy - As an "almost" police officer, you SHOULD be aware that a popping circuit breaker indicates an overload and potential fire hazard.
HOWEVER...... I don't believe that electrical problems are the reason for your post this evening. So come on kiddo, spit it out.....what's REALLY on your mind tonight??
BB

if your 14/2 with a 15 amp breaker your microwave might use 8 or more of the 15 amps thats why it trips, if your 12/2 on a 20 amp just plug in the microwave into an outlet on another breaker and your good.(generally speaking that is..,if you house has real old wiring you might want to run a new wire just for the lights)

calculate ur load in amperage, then check to see u have enough dedicted amps to that breaker thats popping. most likely not.

if you don't know post up a pic of your breaker box and the wires running into it i'll see if i can help more.

pftek said:

Is constantly having 700 watts + laptop + fridge+ lights ALL on only 1 circuit which blows when I turn the microwave on dangerous?

I always think my place is going to burn down.

it's on 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Click to expand...

ditch the microwave...
or find another circuit for your 700watts

pftek said:

Is constantly having 700 watts + laptop + fridge+ lights ALL on only 1 circuit which blows when I turn the microwave on dangerous?

I always think my place is going to burn down.

it's on 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Click to expand...

You are quite obviously overloaded. A Microwave typically start at around 1000 watts, and ur fridge will increase it's load every time it has to start the compressor. Move the micro. Eventually ur breaker will fail.

johnny12r said:

if your 14/2 with a 15 amp breaker your microwave might use 8 or more of the 15 amps thats why it trips, if your 12/2 on a 20 amp just plug in the microwave into an outlet on another breaker and your good.(generally speaking that is..,if you house has real old wiring you might want to run a new wire just for the lights)

Click to expand...

its a 15 amp breaker. i don't mind NEVER using the microwave but whenever the power kicks on the fridge the lights dim (not the ballast one but all the other ones in the house). The WHOLE apartment is only on 1 circuit. Crazy I know.

Basically even when everything is off the microwave can only run at like 1/2 speed or something. If I run the microwave without the 700 watts. all the lights dim. not temporary but the whole time the microwave is on.

I just worry that 700 watts on really old wiring and only 1 circuit could be dangerous. could the wires just melt and start a fire or is that just unlikely? is it safer to run say 18/6 lighting so the wires get some time to cool off? or it doesn't work that way?

can you add a breaker? if the lights dim from the microwave maybe throw it out and get a small cheap one to replace it .i would go 18/6 anyway or get some t5's for veg at least.

The breaker is designed to fail before any wires could possibly melt. But you need another circuit. No way ur apt is within county codes.

i would move or use CFL's!!!!!

CJ nailed it. Call your fire dept and ask if they have a service to inspect wiring. If they come tell them what's been going on. Obviously you don't have to let them in the grow area, have something made up in advance what the power use in there is for. If they find it doesn't meet code, they will issue a citation to the landlord to upgrade it.

But clean up first....

If your lights are dimming your wires are heating. Is it dangerous, I don't know but I would invest in a damn good smoke detector. Peace Jack