A receptacle installed inside a cabinet to serve a cord-connected microwave oven must be connected to which circuit?

The correct answer is that the receptacle installed inside a cabinet to serve a cord-connected microwave oven must be connected to one of the two required small-appliance branch circuits. This guideline is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, which dictate that small kitchen appliances, including microwaves, should be supported by these dedicated circuits to avoid overloads.

Small-appliance branch circuits are specifically intended for receptacles that provide power to kitchen appliances and should not be shared with other outlets that might draw excessive current. This ensures that the microwave operates efficiently and safely without risking tripping breakers or causing wiring hazards.

The alternative options either ignore these safety and capacity considerations or do not align with the code requirements. Connecting the receptacle to any circuit may lead to overloading, while a general lighting circuit is also not designed for high-power appliances. A dedicated circuit can be useful for high-demand devices, but the specific requirement for a microwave in this context is to utilize one of the designated small-appliance circuits.