A homeowner in Lebanon, PA came to us with a problem that had become part of his daily routine: the microwave and dishwasher could not run at the same time. Either appliance worked fine on its own, but running both would cause one to shut off or trip the breaker. He had been working around it for some time. What we found during our inspection explained why — and made clear that it needed to be corrected.

What Our Inspection Revealed

When our technician inspected the kitchen wiring, it became evident that some of the work had been done without a permit and did not meet current electrical code. The circuits serving the kitchen appliances had been modified at some point — the work of a well-intentioned previous owner — but those modifications created an unsafe situation that was the direct cause of the problem.

The microwave and dishwasher were sharing a single 15-amp circuit. The National Electrical Code requires dedicated circuits for both appliances, and for good reason: each one draws enough current to saturate a circuit on its own. Sharing a circuit meant this homeowner was always one cooking session away from tripped breakers — or something worse.

What We Did

We ran a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the microwave and a separate dedicated circuit for the dishwasher, both properly wired and up to current code. We also corrected the other wiring issues found during the inspection and ensured everything was done to a standard that would pass inspection. The homeowner now has a kitchen that works the way it should.

A Word on DIY Electrical Work

We understand the appeal of handling things yourself. But electrical work done without proper training can create hidden hazards that are difficult to detect until something goes wrong. In this case, the homeowner had been living with a problem that was not just inconvenient — it was a safety issue. If you have purchased an older home or have any reason to suspect the wiring has been modified, it is worth having a licensed electrician take a look. We are always glad to give you an honest assessment. Reach us at (717) 287-4008.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my microwave and dishwasher run at the same time?

They’re likely sharing a single circuit that can’t handle both loads simultaneously. Kitchen appliances should each have dedicated circuits — 20 amps for the microwave and a separate circuit for the dishwasher — per NEC guidelines.

Is DIY electrical wiring dangerous?

Improper wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires. Without proper training, DIY wiring can create hidden hazards — reversed polarity, undersized wire, missing ground connections — that pass inspection visually but are dangerous. Always hire a licensed electrician.

How do I know if my kitchen wiring was done incorrectly?

Warning signs include breakers that trip under normal loads, outlets that feel warm, flickering lights, or burning smells near outlets. A licensed electrician can perform a full inspection and identify any code violations or safety issues.