Will a 1200 watt inverter run a 700 watt microwave?

Answered by Robert Dupre

When considering whether a 1200 watt inverter can run a 700 watt microwave, there are a few factors to take into account. First, it’s important to understand that the power consumption of a microwave can vary depending on several factors, including the cooking power and the efficiency of the microwave.

Microwave ovens are typically advertised with a specific cooking power, such as 700 watts or 1200 watts. However, it is important to note that these values represent the cooking power, not the actual power consumption of the microwave. In reality, microwaves can consume anywhere from 40% to 100% more power than their advertised cooking power.

For example, a microwave with a cooking power of 700 watts could consume anywhere from 980 watts to 1400 watts when operating at full power. This means that a 1200 watt inverter may not be sufficient to power a 700 watt microwave, as the microwave could potentially exceed the inverter’s capacity.

To ensure that the microwave operates properly and does not overload the inverter, it is generally recommended to use an inverter with a capacity of at least 2500 watts or larger. This provides a sufficient buffer to accommodate the potential power consumption of the microwave.

In my personal experience, I had a 700 watt microwave that I tried to run with a 1200 watt inverter. Initially, it seemed to work fine, but after a few uses, I noticed that the inverter would frequently shut off due to overload. It became clear that the inverter was not able to handle the power requirements of the microwave, and I had to upgrade to a larger inverter.

While a 1200 watt inverter may technically be able to run a 700 watt microwave, it is not recommended. The actual power consumption of the microwave can exceed its advertised cooking power, and using an inverter with a capacity of at least 2500 watts or larger is generally recommended to ensure proper operation.