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Video Transcript: How a Microwave Works

IMPORTANT: BEFORE REPLACING A PART IN ANY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE, YOU MUST ENSURE THAT THE APPLIANCE IS FIRST UNPLUGGED FROM THE MAINS.

Welcome to Buyspares, this video will show you how a microwave works.

Before replacing a part in any electrical appliance you must ensure that the appliance is first unplugged from the mains.

Microwaves work by directing energy in the form of electromagnetic waves at a frequency of 2.5 gigahertz. This energy passes through glass and some crockery without any effect, but is easily absorbed by liquids or moisture and sugars in food which is heated and cooked.

The microwaves are produced by a magnetron, this is a type of electronic valve that has a very high voltage applied to it. This voltage is supplied by transformer or inverter and is doubled by the diode and capacitor to supply around three thousand volts to the magnetron. This voltage can easily be fatal if accidently contacted and extreme caution must be used in this area.

The energy is beamed into the cavity here and to ensure even cooking the food is placed on a rotating turntable. As this energy cooks by boiling water within the food some microwaves contain additional elements to brown and cook.

Nearly all microwaves regulate the cooking power by cycling the time the magnetron is turned on, so for example on half power the appliance cook for 10 seconds then stops for 10 seconds and repeats.

To demonstrate we've used a glass of water with a light bulb to show when this cooking energy is present.

The controls on microwaves vary from a simple mechanical time switch to electronics that can weigh the food and cook it on a pre-programmed cycle.

The door has a number of safety switches and interlocks that ensure the microwave cannot start cooking until the door is properly closed. Furthermore, microwave ovens should not be used with nothing to absorb the energy and must be professionally discharged when the casing is removed.

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