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Appliance police will not come to your home to determine if your microwave is plugged into a GFCI outlet.

The important question is, what is the potential for electrocution with your microwave in the event of a malfunction?

If a person could reach the microwave with one hand and a potential ground (sink, concrete floor) with the other hand or a foot, the microwave should be plugged into a GFCI. However... if you research local ordinance and find that your microwave should be plugged into a GFCI, then that's what you should do.

If your microwave is plugged into a receptacle on your kitchen countertop it should have GFCI protection.

The National Electrical Code (US) states:

Section 210.8 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. (A) Dwelling Units. All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the locations specified in (1) through (8) shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel. (6) Kitchens - where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces.

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More answers

It is not required for a microwave to be plugged into a GFCI outlet, but it is recommended for safety reasons, especially in locations like kitchens or bathrooms where there may be water present. GFCI outlets help protect against electrical shocks in wet environments.

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10mo ago
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Yes. No problem.

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18y ago
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Q: Does a microwave have to be plugged into a GFCI outlet?
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What happens when you plug a GFCI protected extension cord into an outlet that is GFCI protected?

When a GFCI-protected extension cord is plugged into an outlet that is also GFCI protected, it provides an additional layer of protection against electric shock. Both devices work in conjunction to quickly detect any imbalance in the electrical current and trip the circuit if necessary. This redundancy helps ensure increased safety against electrical hazards.


Gfci trips before anything is plugged into it?

This could be caused by a ground fault in the wiring or a faulty GFCI outlet. You may need to have a professional electrician inspect the wiring to identify and resolve the issue. Avoid using the GFCI outlet until the problem is resolved to ensure safety.


How do you determine if an outlet is after or before the gfci?

You can determine if an outlet is after a GFCI by pressing the "test" button on the GFCI outlet. If the GFCI trips and cuts off power to the outlet, then that outlet is downstream from the GFCI. If power is not cut off, then that outlet is upstream from the GFCI.


Do all electrical outlets in a garage need to be GFCI?

It is recommended to have GFCI protection for all electrical outlets in a garage to help reduce the risk of electric shocks. This would typically involve installing a GFCI outlet at the beginning of the circuit to protect the rest of the outlets downstream.


Will GFCI work properly if 240 volt split into one 3 wire 120 volt circuit?

No, a GFCI outlet is designed for use with standard 120-volt circuits. Attempting to use a GFCI outlet with a 240-volt split circuit could cause damage to the outlet, the circuit, and could present a safety hazard. It is not recommended to use a GFCI outlet in this manner.