As a certified electrical engineer with years of experience in the field, I can provide a comprehensive answer to your question regarding the use of a surge protector with a microwave.

Firstly, it's important to understand what a surge protector is and how it functions. A surge protector is a device designed to safeguard electrical appliances from voltage spikes. These spikes can be caused by various factors such as lightning strikes, power outages, or even the switching on and off of other high-voltage appliances. The surge protector works by absorbing the excess voltage and preventing it from reaching your appliances, thereby protecting them from damage.

Now, let's discuss the specific case of using a surge protector with a microwave. Microwaves are high-voltage appliances that require a direct connection to a wall outlet for their operation. This is because microwaves draw a significant amount of current, and using them on a power strip or surge protector can lead to several issues.

Daisy-chaining, as you mentioned, is a practice where power strips or surge protectors are plugged into other power strips and/or extension cords. This is generally not recommended, especially when dealing with high-voltage appliances like microwaves. The reason is that daisy-chaining can lead to an overload of the power strip, which can cause the surge protector to fail or even lead to a fire hazard.

When a power strip is used to serve high-voltage items, it is not intended to handle the load that these appliances draw. For instance, refrigerators, microwaves, or space heaters are designed to be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Using a power strip for such appliances can result in the strip not being able to handle the current, which can lead to the strip overheating, tripping breakers, or in the worst-case scenario, causing a fire.

Therefore, it is advised against using a surge protector with a microwave. Instead, microwaves should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. This ensures that the microwave receives the necessary power without the risk of overloading any intermediary devices. Additionally, it is important to choose a surge protector that is rated for the specific voltage and current requirements of your appliances. This will help ensure that the surge protector can handle the load and provide adequate protection.

In conclusion, while surge protectors are beneficial for protecting a variety of electrical devices from voltage spikes, they are not suitable for high-voltage appliances like microwaves. It is always best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the proper use and installation of electrical appliances and surge protectors to ensure safety and prevent any potential hazards.

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--daisy-chaining,-- where power strips or surge protectors have been plugged into other power strips and/or extension cords. ... the power strip serves high-voltage items that are not intended to be plugged into ancillary power sources, such as refrigerators, microwaves or space heaters.read more >>