HELP- Adding outlet to MW outlet

[havnfun]

In my TT, the microwave plugs into a single receptacle inside the cabinet next to it. I want to tie into that outlet and put another one on the bottom of the overhead cabinet. But the microwave is plugged into a single outlet with a blank plate covering where the normal 2nd plug would go. Can I make that outlet a duplex or can I tie into that outlet and run down to the new overhead cabinet outlet? Will 14-2 wire be okay cause I have some small pieces - need couple of feet.
Hope that makes sense.....

[eldermike]

You need to consider the wattage of the microwave. Most microwaves are on dedicated outlets/breakers. This means there is no capacity remianing on the circuit itself.

[Jmooney]

Can you? Yes you can. You can turn off all AC power, and change that single plug to a duplex plug. That would be better than extending and adding a box.

Should you? ElderMike makes a point about it being a dedicated outlet. I suppose that if you are not running a coffee pot at the same time as a bag of popcorn, the circuit breaker wont blow. ( a 1500 watt microwave pulls 13amps @ 115VAC)

It also looks like a brand new TT - and still under a warranty, that may be a risk.

And... anytime you fool around with 110VAC, you just run the risk of creating a fire hazzard or persoanl injury.

If it were me... I would probably do it.

Whatever you do - do not increase the circuit break size!

[dxrobertson]

Be aware that the outlets used in these units are not what you find in homes; they have a slide-in type connection for the wire thats designed only for a particular size wire. My microwave is on a 20 amp circuit, so I assume the outlet will only accept 12 gauge wire, thus you may not be able to tie into the outlet with 14g.

I had the same idea as you. Needing additional outlets in the kitchen area; 1 for a hotplate near the microwave area, and also needing to plug in an electric heater. What I did is just unplug the microwave and plug in the hotplate when needed. I also installed a separate breaker and new outlet in the desired area for the heater.

[Bob Landry]

Originally Posted by eldermike

You need to consider the wattage of the microwave. Most microwaves are on dedicated outlets/breakers. This means there is no capacity remianing on the circuit itself.

Not true at all. the microwave is on a 20A breaker and it's only going to draw 8-10 amps. There is amperage capacity left up to 20A if that circuit is wired with 12ga wire, and it should be if it's on a 20A breaker.

To answer he OP's question, there is no reason not to tie in with a 15A outlet. Even if you install a 20A outlet and wire it with 12ga wire, the 20A breaker will still prevent you from exceeding that.

Having said that... Any breaker in proximity to water, bathroom or kitchen has to be GFCI protected. On my current trailer, I tied into an outside outlet that I knew was protected and ran wiring behind cabinets and through spaces furnace and wter heater spaces to install an outlet on the end of the kitchen counter. I'm still trying to understand the rational of putting an outlet under a hanging cabinet and having the cord hanging down to be snagged by something, but that's just me. If you can't find a GFCI outlet to tie off of, run a new wire from the outlet breaker on the converter and make the new outlet a GFCI.

If you are going to run space heaters, you would do well to install a dedicated 20A inlet that can be fed with a 12Ga extension cord from the pedestal. Run it to a dedicated breaker and then use that to feed a couple of outlets for heaters. Ceramic space heaters will really eat a chunk out of your 30A service and you'll find yourself turning thing off to be able to run them.

[norty1]

On my last rig, I tied into that outlet and fed some undercounted lights. Never had any problems.

[havnfun]

Well, you cleared it up for me. I will tap into a GFCI wall outlet and fish 12 gauge wire in the wall to then place a new duplex box right next to the counter. Do I need to use any special receptacle or will a normal household one work? Being that it's in the outside wall, use a skinny box,,,any other considerations?
Hope I remember to shut off the power. haha