Asked by: Yeison Harting
home and garden home appliances

What is a microwave oven magnetron?

20
The microwave oven uses a magnetron togenerate microwave energy. The microwave energytravels through a waveguide and is distributed into a metal cavitywhere the food is cooked. The waves are absorbed by the food andexcite water molecules in the food. This heat then transfersthroughout the food cooking it.


Subsequently, one may also ask, where is the magnetron in a microwave oven?

Photo: There's a magnetron tucked inside yourmicrowave oven, usually just behind the control andinstrument panel on the right. If you open the door, you cansometimes get a glimpse of the magnetron and its coolingfins through the perforated metal cage that separates it from themain cooking compartment.

Subsequently, question is, is a microwave magnetron dangerous? Magnetron, Move Over! Magnetrons can be incredibly dangerous,while you are safe from radiation when they are not powered, theceramic insulators can contain beryllium oxide which can be fatalwhen inhaled. If Magneto is the enemy of the X-Men, themagnetron is the enemy of all lungseverywhere.

Similarly, you may ask, what causes a magnetron to fail in a microwave?

When he investigates your problem, he's likely to find oneof these 7 common causes of microwave failure:

  • #1: Diode Burn-Out.
  • #2: Faulty Door Switch.
  • #3: Magnetron Failure.
  • #4: Incapacitated Capacitor.
  • #5: Terminated Transformer.
  • #6: Failed Fuse.
  • #7: Bad Control Board.

What is a magnetron?

Magnetron, diode vacuum tube consisting of acylindrical (straight wire) cathode and a coaxial anode, betweenwhich a dc (direct current) potential creates an electric field. Amagnetic field is applied longitudinally by an externalmagnet.

Related Question Answers

Zenovia Quarato

Professional

How long does a microwave magnetron last?

Although the average life of a magnetron tube is22 years, a number of factors can cause that number to diminish andfor the microwave oven to lose power morequickly.

Jarrett Farinos

Professional

How much does it cost to replace magnetron in microwave?

Here are prices for parts (excluding labor) thatcommonly need to be replaced in malfunctioningmicrowave ovens: Magnetron:$100–$150.

Pandu Tuveri

Professional

Can you test a microwave magnetron?

Each measurement should read less than one ohm.TEST 2: Set your ohmmeter to its highest resistance scale.Touch one of the meter's probes to a magnetronterminal. Touch the other probe to the metal magnetronhousing.

Cherkaouia Emmer

Explainer

What happens when you run a microwave empty?

Running on Empty
When a microwave runs without anything inside,or if an item contains no water molecules, the microwaves inthe machine will be redirected into the magnetron. When themagnetron begins to absorb as many microwaves as itproduces, it can be damaged.

Jatin Duñabeitia

Explainer

How long does a microwave last?

Microwaves will last between 9 and 10years for most kitchens.

Earleen Kolblin

Explainer

What causes a magnetron to overheat?

This is caused by the magnetron overheating, some instances this is because of reflected microwaveenergy. Solution: Replace the magnetron and check why themagnetron has overheated. Burned Dome (or Antenna)caused by arcing due to reflected microwave energy {backfeeding}.

Lidija Sawitzki

Pundit

Why isn't my microwave heating up my food?

Your microwave may turn on but not heatup. This could be caused by a problem with the highvoltage diode, which helps to power the magnetron. How to test amicrowave high voltage diode with a multimeter. To accessit, you will first need to remove the cabinet and discharge thehigh voltage capacitor.

Yasine Schwingschlagl

Pundit

Is it worth fixing a microwave?

Repair or Replace Microwave
A replacement appliance costs about $100 and shouldwork for at least seven to 10 years. If your microwave isrelatively new and the repair costs less than replacing it,the fix is worth it. In general, the problemsworth fixing include: No light when the door opens or whilecooking.

Yorlady Remmel

Pundit

What are the signs that a microwave is going bad?

Here are the telltale signs that it's time to startshopping for a new microwave.
  • Smoke, sparks, and burning smells.
  • Food isn't cooking properly.
  • It makes horrible sounds as it cooks.
  • The door doesn't seal properly.
  • The keypad doesn't function.
  • It's over 10 years old.

Guoguang Aengenvoort

Pundit

What causes a microwave to burn out?

Most popular reason behind this issue ismagnetron failure. A magnetron uses high voltage to producemicrowave frequency to cook food. If the microwave isturned on when it is empty, this cause the magnetron toburn out. A burned magnetron has to be replaced as itcannot be repaired.

Policarpo Troyano

Teacher

How do I reset my microwave?

How to Reset a GE Microwave
  1. Press the "Off/Clear' button to cancel anything on the display,and reset the microwave.
  2. Press the "Off/Clear' button for three seconds to turn the"Control Locked" child lock off.
  3. Reset the cooking program if "Off/Clear" was pressedaccidentally.
  4. Perform a hard reset.
  5. Reset the time of day.

Nuria Inizan

Teacher

Why did my microwave suddenly stop working?

Problem with the ceramic fuse
Another cause of the problem of microwavestopped working, no power could be the ceramic fuse. Ifthe microwave is not starting and display is alsoblank then ceramic fuse may be defected. Unplug themicrowave and then access the fuse from insidethe cabinet which is near the powercord.

Ashanti Hartge

Teacher

Where is the fuse in a microwave?

Most microwave fuses look like the one picturedto the left. They are usually an inch or two long. Each end ismetallic and the center is either ceramic or glass. To get to thefuse, remove the outer cabinet of the unit, which is usuallyheld in place with a few screws.

Giani Filippo

Teacher

What is the use of magnetron?

The magnetron is a high-powered vacuum tube thatworks as a self-excited microwave oscillator. Crossed electron andmagnetic fields are used in the magnetron to produce thehigh-power output required in radar equipment.

Iliass Jaishree

Reviewer

Are magnetrons radioactive?

All magnetrons contain a small amount of thoriummixed with tungsten in their filament. While this is aradioactive metal, the risk of cancer is low as it nevergets airborne in normal usage. Only if the filament is taken out ofthe magnetron, finely crushed, and inhaled can it pose ahealth hazard.

Macedonio Nemeth

Reviewer

Can a microwave transformer kill you?

Microwave oven transformers are indeedLETHAL the current and voltage that they put out is more thenenough to kill you, the voltage and current they run offwill quite happily kill YOU! And as fun and as simpleas these deadly but wonderfully robust transformers are, itis possible to get more technical into them.

Ritaj Bamba

Reviewer

Why is my microwave making a weird sound?

If your microwave is making an unusual orloud humming noise, you may have a problem with themagnetron. This component is part of the high voltage circuit andprovides the microwaves that generate the heat. If themagnetron is defective, it may cause a loud humming or buzzingnoise.

Bangaly Juanas

Reviewer

Can you scrap a microwave?

Contrary to what a few people might think, there are NOprecious metals in a microwave… unless of courseyou count copper as well. When scrapping out amicrowave, always consider selling reusableparts.

Retta Suneina

Supporter

Do microwaves have radioactive parts?

Microwave ovens use electromagnetic radiation toheat food. The non-ionizing radiation used by a microwavedoes not make the food radioactive. Microwavesare only produced when the oven is operating.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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31st March, 2020

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