What is inside the microwave

The microwave oven is a handy appliance found in almost every kitchen. It offers the convenience of quickly heating up food and even cooking new and exciting dishes. To truly grasp the functionality of this appliance, it’s important to delve into its inner workings and understand the underlying principles that make it work.

The main part of the microwave

The primary component found inside every microwave is the magnetron, which is an unconventional type of bulb housed within a vacuum chamber. Its main function is to emit microwave radiation. Essentially, the magnetron converts the incoming voltage into microwaves and then directs them into the oven chamber, where the food is heated.

Parts that ensure the operation of the device

The three main components that guarantee the functioning of the device include the fuse, rectifier, and transformer.

Fuses

An essential component, the fuse plays a crucial role in the operation of various appliances. Typically, a fuse is comprised of a glass bulb housing a small metal thread, sealed on either end with specialized caps.

Within a microwave, there are typically three fuses incorporated:

• The primary fuse safeguards the circuitry from unexpected power surges.
• The high-voltage fuse serves to protect the transformer from potential overload situations, especially pertaining to the magnetron’s protection mechanism.
• In ovens equipped with an electronic control panel, a third type of fuse is utilized. This specific fuse is responsible for converting incoming current to voltage. Unfortunately, replacing this particular fuse can be rather challenging in the event of malfunction.

The specific type of fuse employed in a given microwave model can be determined by consulting the instruction manual.

Rectifier

To power the magnetron, it is necessary to use a rectifier, which converts the incoming voltage into a stable and constant voltage. The rectifier is composed of two main components – a rectifier diode and a divider capacitor.

Transformer

The magnetron is powered by a transformer, which needs a high-voltage input to initiate its functioning as the regular voltage is not enough. The incoming current is converted to the necessary levels by the high-voltage transformer, enabling the magnetron to be integrated into the overall process.

Parts that control the microwave functions

The microwave oven is a rather intricate device with a complex mechanism. Its operation relies on the interconnectedness of all the components. Consequently, if one part fails, the entire unit may malfunction. Therefore, the components responsible for the microwave’s functions play a crucial role.

The power supply is the main control element in microwaves. It is in charge of maintaining the preset power level and automatically turning off the oven after a designated time. Additionally, it allows for adjusting the power level while cooking. Unlike other parts of the oven, the power supply has its own dedicated power source.

Additional parts

There are certainly other components within the microwave oven.

Fan

Using the oven without a fan is not feasible. The fan has the specific function of blowing the electronic circuitry components. This allows for precise control of their heating and ensures the optimal temperature. By sucking in air from the room, the fan directs it towards the magnetron and evenly distributes it across the entire surface.

When heating and cooking, the fan generates increased pressure to facilitate the removal of warm air and steam through ventilation. These byproducts are produced during microwave activity. The fan is positioned on the back wall of the appliance and operates in all microwave modes.

Glass turntable

The heat-resistant glass rotating table ensures uniform heating of the dish.

Lamps

Previously, the oven chamber used to be illuminated by a light bulb. There was a starting relay included in the power supply circuit. This relay allowed the interior lighting to be activated when either the food was being heated or the oven door was opened. As a result, using a microwave with this feature became much more convenient. Similar components are also found in refrigerators and sewing machines.

The light bulb is housed in a dedicated box located next to the transformer. If it malfunctions, you can easily replace it at home by yourself.

Important! When replacing the bulb, it is crucial to follow safety precautions. Make sure to disconnect the device from the power supply.

Protection system

Microwave ovens are equipped with a powerful radio radiation device called a magnetron. To ensure the safety of users, a metal case is used to enclose the chamber of the device, preventing radiation from escaping. The chamber door is designed to fit tightly and has a special gap that allows the radiation wave to propagate inside the microwave. Additionally, the glass in the door is coated with a metal mesh that controls the area of radiation propagation and prevents it from escaping the device. To further ensure safety, a microswitch system is in place to prevent the microwave from being used with the door open.