It’s quite unpleasant when the equipment that worked so well yesterday yesterday suddenly stopped functioning. What to do if the microwave is broken ? Do-it-yourself repair sometimes solves this problem. It happens that the cause of the malfunction is a minor malfunction, which can be easily fixed without the use of special equipment. But there are breakdowns that require replacement parts. Dealing with the causes of the malfunction is fairly straightforward.
Types of Microwaves
There is a certain sequence of connecting all components of the device. Usually, all secondary parts are connected in series, which simplifies the diagnostic process.
In terms of functionality, the presented household appliances replace some other kitchen appliances, such as an oven, a double boiler. There are the simplest and most complex models in the field of software of such an electronic assistant, such as a microwave. Do-it-yourself repairs will require you to study the design of a particular type of furnace.
There are microwave ovens up to 42 liters. The power of the wave reaches 900 watts. Models in which the grill is provided are quartz or TEN. Repair of each type of microwave, made at home, will require knowledge of the features of each detail.
The internal coating of household appliances is stainless steel, enameled or bioceramic.
Microwave device
The components of a microwave oven are identical in their overwhelming majority for different types of devices. The microwave structure includes a power transformer, a winding, a safety diode, and a high voltage diode. Also the integral components are the filament winding and the capacitor. The most significant part that creates heat is the magnetron.
When repairing a microwave oven with your own hands, you should check each part until you find the cause of the malfunction.
Externally, the device consists of a chamber for heating food, a magnetron transformer and a waveguide.
When repairing the microwave oven yourself, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics when the device is disconnected from the network. Verification of each component is carried out sequentially.
A power transformer converts AC electrical energy from one voltage indicator to another voltage at a constant frequency.
Principle of operation
The functioning of the microwave occurs in a certain sequence. In order to understand how to proceed in order to repair the microwave yourself, you should understand the process of the flow of equipment functions. Voltage 220 V is supplied to the transformer winding. It is located below and looks like a bare copper wire. In fact, this element is covered with transparent insulation.
The coil is under the secondary windings. There are two of them in the microwave. This is an ordinary wire simulated next to the primary structure. It is important to understand the device when repairing a microwave oven with your own hands. What to do to conduct a high-quality restoration of the furnace functions, information on the organization of its work will answer.
Heating takes place in a solid primary winding. An increase in cathode temperature occurs at a voltage of 6.3 V. In the upper high-voltage winding 2 kV go to the output.
Here, a capacitor is shunted by a diode. The negative half-wave goes to the cathode, and positively charged electrons fill the capacitance.
Next, the electrode is charged with two voltages removed from the capacitor and transformer. The total value is approximately 4 kV, and due to this the generation process takes place.
The output windings are connected in parallel to the magnetron.
Magnetron
When repairing a microwave oven with your own hands, you should pay attention to the magnetron. In the structure, it plays the role of the heart of the device. It produces microwave rays that heat food inside the chamber.
This element contains a number of components:
- emitter;
- resonant cavities;
- anode;
- cathode.
This is a complex device, therefore, a check of its serviceability should be carried out in case of problems in the operation of the equipment. When the furnace is turned off from the mains, the magnetron resistance is checked with a measuring device.
If you rely on the information of this diagnostics, it will become clear whether the device needs to be replaced, repaired, or whether another component is the cause of the breakdown.
Simple Causes of Failure
It happens that the repair of the microwave oven with their own hands is carried out without replacement of parts and complex manipulations. This happens with some events that caused the inoperative state of the equipment.
The cause of the malfunction is sometimes a lack of mains voltage. When the indicator decreases by 20 V, the level of heating decreases or the operation of the furnace stops. The uninterruptible power supply unit will solve the problem.
Overloading the mains also causes a microwave failure. For powerful equipment, it is better to bring a separate outlet.
If the door latch breaks, the products do not heat up well. Close the microwave tightly.
Due to the carelessness of users, products that remained cold could simply heat up in the wrong mode. For example, before that, the microwave defrosted the meat, and after that the regime was not switched to high power.
If the cause of the failure is not eliminated by the above methods, you will have to perform a more serious repair: check the operation of the magnetron, capacitor, fuses and high-voltage diode.
Fuse
Self-repair of microwave ovens begins by removing the back cover of the appliance (with the plug turned off). A blackout or a blown filament inside may indicate a breakdown of the fuses. Replace this part with a new one. There are usually two fuses in the microwave.
In the event that the necessary part is missing, you should purchase it in a specialized store. You need to bring a non-working bodyguard with you, since you will have to pick up the exact same device. This will ensure the correct and safe operation of the equipment.
Thin wire bugs cannot be used to eliminate this breakdown. They can cause a fire. The likelihood of a similar situation is quite high. Therefore, you will definitely need to purchase a normal fuse. Its cost is low.
Capacitor
When noises and extraneous knocks appear during the operation of the microwave, a capacitor may break through. When repairing microwave ovens on their own, an ohmmeter is connected to a capacitor. If the arrow of the device deviates, then the part is working. Otherwise, this is the cause of the malfunction. His diagnosis is quite simple. An ohmmeter will help to repair a microwave oven with your own hands. An example of its use is worth considering in more detail.
Due to safety requirements, the capacitor must be discharged before testing. While it is in a charged state, it is strictly forbidden to touch it with your hands or even with a screwdriver. It is not safe for humans.
High voltage diode
If traces of burning, smoke appear inside the heating chamber, sparks are visible, this may be a breakdown of the high-voltage diode. An example of failure of this part is also the noise during switching on and blown fuses. Check the health of the part using a high voltage capacitor. It should not heat up.
If the cause of the failure is a malfunction of the high voltage diode, a new part should be purchased. Due to the complexity of its device, only this outlet provides for the repair of microwave ovens. A review of the recommendations of professional masters allows us to conclude that the old high-voltage diode is very difficult to repair. Replace the part and check the operation of the high voltage capacitor. If it does not heat up, the breakdown is fixed.
Magnetron breakdown
The most basic microwave oven is magnetron. It generates microwave waves. Replacing it will cost more than replacing any other part. In some cases, it is even impractical to repair microwave ovens according to specialist reviews.
A sign of damage to the part shown is a hum in the oven. The food does not heat up, although visually all functions are performed. Inside the heating chamber, the light is on, the microwave is working.
Do-it-yourself repairs begin with an inspection of the magnetron. If carbon deposits or cracks are not visible on it, replace it with an ohmmeter. A burned-out element is replaced with exactly the same new one. The magnetron must match the parameters of a specific microwave model. Replace it with a different type of oven appliance.
Causes of breakdowns
The most common cause of malfunctions of household appliances is its improper operation. To prevent future malfunctions and problems in using the microwave, you should familiarize yourself with a number of the most common causes of malfunctions. These include:
- heating food in metal dishes or the presence of similar items in the chamber (for example, spoons or forks);
- turning on the microwave without food inside;
- warming up raw eggs or other products that explode under the influence of microwave radiation.
It happens that the microwave ceases to heat food due to physical wear and aging of its elements over time.
The ingress of fat from products into the moving parts of the device, its subsidence on the walls arise due to the absence of a protective cap during operation inside the furnace or its improper condition. This can lead to the need to repair the microwave oven with your own hands. The cap should be replaced as it wears out. This will prevent future problems.
Instrument Care
By following the rules for microwave care, you can significantly reduce the risk of premature equipment failure:
- It is necessary to carefully read the operating instructions from the manufacturer.
- Keeping the equipment clean will significantly extend its service life. Wipe the microwave after each heating of food in it.
- The use of a protective cap, its periodic replacement will allow not to resort to self-repair of the microwave oven for a very long time.
- If there are children in the house, it is necessary to provide for the inaccessibility of this equipment for them.
In the event of an emergency or a mismatch of the equipment’s functions with those stated in the instructions, you can restore the work of such a kitchen assistant as a microwave. Do-it-yourself repairs will reduce the cost of solving this problem.
Understanding the device and the principle of operation of the furnace, to independently replace the parts will not be difficult. Fulfilling all the rules for the operation of the microwave, for a very long time you can not face the problem of repairing the equipment presented.