Unless the manufacturer's instructions state a dedicated circuit is required, it is allowed to share a circuit with the lighting.

If the other items on the circuit still work, the problem almost certainly is a bad connection somewhere. Not so much burned out but probably marginally done to begin with.

How would I find it? Check all the items attached to it? I cannot look at the wires behind the wall. I did install the kitchen fan/light. Maybe I did not make a good connection. What would I look for?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but because you live in a condo (even if you own the condo) you're prohibited from doing electrical work. Only qualified persons (licensed electricians) can do work in multifamily dwellings. You should really call the electrician back and have him check the circuit in question. There is likely a loose connection somewhere; the fan you installed might be a good place to start. From there pull every receptacle and switch on the circuit and check the connections. "Back stabbed" receptacles, where the wire is pushed into a hole in the back of the device, is a frequent source of trouble too.

I do own the condo and do not consider installing a ceiling light or checking a receptacle significant electrical work, That electrician, whose company has an A rating, charged me over $176 for a simple outlet in the wall (about 15 minutes worth of work). I cannot imagine what he will charge me to search all over. Quality work though.

Most of the switches seem to be back stabbed (have changed a few switches in the past...none on this electrical line though), If a back stabbed switch is the problem, would it still be receiving power? I did happen to take the cover plate off one such switch in the kitchen that I think is on the relevant line. I checked it with my ncvt-2 dual range volt tester and there is no power coming into that particular switch. Wouldn't a back stabbed switch that is flawed still be receiving power?

Thanks for your time

Unfortunately the law doesn't consider how many questions you ask first or what you may consider "significant." The prohibition for multi-family dwellings is along the lines of it's OK to burn down your house, not anyone else's. Some towns even make homeowners take a test before doing work in their own, single family home. It's all about safety.

@mike_kaiser_gw: "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but because you live in a condo (even if you own the condo) you're prohibited from doing electrical work."

When the only tool you have is a hammer - the only solution is nails.

What an immature way to beat john over the head, using 'the code'. Shows a lack of common sense on your part.

From what I can tell, the kitchen fan/ceiling light is the next thing upstream from the outlet from where the microwave outlet was installed. Its a Casa Habitat http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QSLKDW/?tag=servmasru-20

I wanted to check the wiring in the ceiling above it where its connected, so I started taking it apart. Its can be described as two levels, one for the light and one for the fan. I took off the first level and was disconnecting the wire that goes from the fan upper part to the light lower part. Its a snap together piece...just need a small pointed object to push in a hole to unsnap it. After I did that, the living room light came on and I checked the microwave outlet with tester and plugged in a clock and it works. So all the power is on to where its supposed to be. The kitchen fan/ceiling light is also working.

Anyone know what the problem is? Is there a GFCI in the light fixture somewhere in the light fixture? I looked, but could not find one. Should I try plugging in the microwave again and see what happens or is there something I should check on something else first?

Though it seems like I reset something in the kitchen ceiling fan/light when I unsnapped it.

Thanks for your time

Geoff,

I think most, if not all, of the folks here want to give good advice and that includes advice the asker of the question might not want to hear. The simple reality is that unqualified persons are prohibited from doing electrical work in multifamily dwellings. Now you may think that silly or have judged the person sufficiently qualified and I might go along with that if he was doing work in his own single family house. That's not the case here.

i think the line between replacing an outlet and/or moving an outlet/installing an outlet ....is the line you refer to. Hence why I spent $176 to have an electrician install an outlet.

What box did he open up and how did he run the wire? There is probably a loose wire nut in the box he played with...

Unless the manufacturer's instructions state a dedicated circuit is required, it is allowed to share a circuit with the lighting

Tell that to my 1300W microwave that pulls 13A. Yea... I ran a dedicated 20A line for that puppy. What is allowed and what is good practice do not always see eye to eye. Better off to run a new line if possible/practical.

That plastic wiring harness between the fan and outer lamp of the ceiling/fan light in the kitchen seems to have been the culprit. After checking some other connections, which were fine, I reconnected this and tried the microwave. It works now with no issues. Maybe later in the year I will get that single line run just to be safe.

Thanks though...all your advice saved me probably at least $150 from having to have an electrician to come out and figure it out.