Any equipment that we use in everyday life has a limited resource, regardless of the level of experience and qualifications of manufacturers. Of course, with a professional approach to work, these devices last a long time. Nevertheless, it inevitably fails. The same goes for the microwave, and it is present in almost every kitchen. And if earlier she could warm up food in 2 minutes, then over time it will take 5 minutes, or even more, to spend on the same dish. In this case, most likely, this indicates the need to check the magnetron ...
What is this device?
Currently, a wide variety of microwave oven models is presented on the home appliance market. They are all so different that sometimes you can even get confused if you really need to purchase this equipment. Not only the color scheme is different, the design can also be found one more original than the other. And what about the dimensions of the devices and their price - from compact cheap to expensive large?
Nevertheless, all microwaves have one thing in common - the functioning of any microwave oven operation is impossible without a magnetron! Whether it's Samsung, Philips, or any other popular and high-quality brand, with the missing part, it's just a locker for storing various things, and nothing more.
Another question is how high-quality its performance. With a good magnetron, the microwave will last as long as possible. Although it still depends on the operating conditions.
What is the important part of any microwave?
To conduct a microwave magnetron test, it is worth a little understanding of its device. If in fact, then this part is a vacuum tube, inside which the necessary parts are located:
On the outside, the anode block is surrounded by permanent magnets. But besides this, there are metal plates that form a radiator to remove heat. During operation of the microwave oven, the magnetron is very hot. And for this reason, the case of this device is equipped not only with a radiator, but it is blown by a fan to increase cooling efficiency.
To form a directed wave flow, the anode has a tip, closed by a cap, which looks like an antenna. A special connector is responsible for supplying power to the magnetron, which includes feed-through capacitors and inductive outputs. This is, in fact, a filter that reduces the penetration of microwave radiation at the power leads.
The design of such an important detail is difficult for the average consumer to understand, only the master is able to understand all the features of his work due to the specifics of the work. Although you can try to check the magnetron of a microwave oven yourself (more on that later).
In this regard, you should not even try to repair this part, since the activity is time-consuming and ungrateful. Misunderstanding the essence of the device does not really give anything!
Symptoms indicating a magnetron malfunction
If a magnetron in a microwave oven fails, it is not at all necessary to immediately go to a service center. It is not possible to repair such a complex device yourself, however, any home master can replace it. To do this, you must accurately verify the malfunction of this part. After all, if the device itself is in order, then the cause of the problem lies in something else.
The reason for checking the magnetron of the microwave can be characteristic signs:
- The microwave oven is working, as evidenced by the burning indicator, but the food is not warming enough or there is no heating at all.
- You can feel the heating of the case from the location of the magnetron.
- Detection of a burning smell, deformed or charred areas on the walls of the inner chamber.
You do not need to remove the back cover. In addition, there are main signs - the appearance of smoke, sparks and sounds from the furnace. But this does not always happen, and therefore it is rather difficult to determine the malfunction only by external signs. And in some cases, the rear casing will still have to be removed.
The verification of the device itself is carried out using a tester, which can be purchased at any hardware store - the benefit is its low cost.
Common problems
In most cases, after checking the operability of the magnetron, it is not possible to repair it (if necessary). Nevertheless, before buying a new part, it is necessary to find out the cause of the malfunction.
Among the most common problems, the following situations can be distinguished:
- Depressurization - you have to go to the store for a new part, since the presence of a vacuum is strictly necessary!
- Broken filament - here, just like with a blown bulb, nothing can be done.
- Antenna cap melting - element can be replaced.
- Damage to the magnetic system is an extremely rare situation. If only the upper magnet malfunctions, a new element can be installed instead.
- The end of the magnetron’s life - everything is clear here, you need to purchase a new device.
- Faulty capacitors - in this case, the replacement of the magnetron is also shown. Of course, you can simply change the faulty ones, but such a procedure requires certain skills that not every home master has. Therefore, to avoid troubles, it is worth replacing the entire magnetron.
As you can see, after checking the magnetron of a microwave oven, it is often not possible to repair such an important component - you have to change the device. Only in rare cases, you can perform an independent replacement of several parts, costing a little blood.
Self diagnosis
For self-diagnosis, it is also not necessary to invite a specialist to the house. However, you should purchase a multimeter - a universal tester, with which various current characteristics are measured: voltage, resistance, etc.
Instead of buying a multimeter, you can use separate measuring instruments - an ohmmeter, voltmeter, ammeter, if they are already available. In extreme cases, they can be borrowed from neighbors. However, a universal device will be preferable and also will serve well for other purposes. In addition, you will need a Phillips screwdriver.
In some cases, checking the magnetron with a multimeter does not always accurately determine the malfunction. Therefore, if the diagnosis does not give the desired result, then in this case it will have to go to the service center. Here, with the involvement of special equipment, a professional check will be performed.
Validation Procedure
As for the procedure itself, you can use the following algorithm:
- To begin with, inspect the inner chamber for the presence of characteristic signs - a burnt smell, deformed or charred areas on the walls. If this is the case, the conclusion is obvious.
- Now just can not do without removing the back cover. To do this, unscrew the mounting bolts.
- Checks the condition of the wires and their connection. If necessary, restore contact by soldering.
- Inspect the fuse - when a broken thread is detected, the part changes to a new one.
- It is worth checking the performance of the equipment, and if it still does not function in normal mode, the diagnosis continues.
- At the next stage of checking the magnetron of the microwave oven, the tester should put the device into ohmmeter mode and measure the resistance of the filament. When the device is in good condition, the display should show a value from 4 to 7 ohms. An infinity sign will indicate a broken thread.
- Now you should measure the resistance between the case and one of the magnetron pins, setting the appropriate tester mode. Here, the symbol of infinity will indicate the absence of a malfunction. "0" - means that the capacitors are broken through, and the numbers indicate a leakage of current. Defective parts are replaced with new elements by soldering and soldering.
- Now, in the dialing mode, you should determine the operability of all other components on the circuit board. The failure of at least one of the parts cannot be ruled out.
If during diagnostic measures it was found that all the details of the microwave oven are in good condition, but the food still does not heat up, then the reason is not in the magnetron.
Replacing smarter repair
If the check of the magnetron by the tester revealed its malfunction, then instead of carrying out repairs it is more reasonable to simply replace it.
This is especially true in relation to expensive models of microwave ovens. If, nevertheless, a need arises for repair, then, as we now know, due to the complexity of understanding the device of such a detail, work is done only in specialized workshops for servicing household appliances.
Replacement procedure
The connection of a new magnetron itself is performed as follows:
- Remove the old defective part and install a new device in its place.
- Fasten the part with fasteners and check the connection.
- Connect the wires.
- Close the case with the back wall, screwing the bolts into place.
As you can see, any home master can handle such work. At the same time, if there is even the slightest doubt, it’s not worth the risk!
Important points
If during the check of the magnetron its malfunction is detected, then the process of replacing the part is quite affordable for almost every owner. Only you should first take care of the correct choice of a new part. To do this, pay attention to the following parameters:
- Power must match.
- Contact compatibility - there must be all the necessary holes for a secure fit.
- Correspondence of the diameter and length of the antennas (old and new devices).
- The new magnetron should perfectly fit the waveguide.
It is easier to remove the old part and go to the store with it, where the consultants will help you choose the right part. But if you do not pay attention to it, the money will be wasted. If all this seems complicated, then you should again contact the service center. Specialists for an appropriate fee will perform the work at a professional level.
Some useful tips
It is worth considering that prolonging the life of a microwave oven is a completely feasible mission.
To do this, take into account a number of useful recommendations:
- The appearance of cod or sparks during operation of the device should serve as a reason for stopping its use and checking the magnetron. It is necessary to find out the cause of this phenomenon. In any case, troubleshooting will be much cheaper than buying a new furnace. Often, such signs indicate burnout of the protective cap of the magnetron.
- It is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of the mica pad, which closes the exit of the waveguide into the chamber. Often, fat and particles of heated products get on it, which reduces its service life. It is important to monitor the cleanliness of the inner chamber, otherwise sparks cannot be avoided, because the grease that has fallen on the pad acquires electrical conductivity.
- If the voltage is unstable, it is better to power the microwave through a stabilizer. When power drops, the magnetron cathode wear increases.
Magnetron is an important part of absolutely any microwave oven. For this reason, proper maintenance of the equipment must be ensured. In addition, warning signs should not be ignored. The detected malfunctions (this applies not only to the magnetron) must be repaired in a timely manner.
In conclusion
A microwave oven is an indispensable assistant in the kitchen, which any housewife knows about. With its help (depending on the model) you can not only heat food, but also prepare delicious dishes.
A magnetron malfunction contributes to the paralysis of the usual rhythm of life. Most faults can be eliminated on their own. However, when it comes to the breakdown of the magnetron, it is better to contact the professionals in their field.
And if the magnetron can be checked on its own, initiative here is unnecessary - this can be a danger not only to technology, but also to the person himself! In extreme cases, on your own, you can replace the part, but nothing more. Indeed, for self-repair requires a whole store of knowledge, including certain skills. In addition, special tools or equipment may be required. But the majority of ordinary consumers do not have either one or the other. It is for this reason that such work should be trusted only to specialists.