What to do with a sparkling microwave inside, reasons and DIY repairs
What if the microwave sparks with current inside? First, turn off the device. Then you should take a slow, measured breath and calm down. Repairing a broken microwave is easier than it seems for an inexperienced owner. In any case, do not despair, think about buying a new unit: the chances are good to repair the old one. And it will take a sane mind, a bit of ingenuity and a minimum of detail.
First steps
The question, because of what erupts inside the microwave oven's heating chamber, has more than one answer. First you need to determine the device of the unit. Understand what is happening there, what factors lead to unpleasant phenomena. And then take active measures to repair the oven.
But not everything can be replaced by yourself. Some operations are carried out exclusively in service workshops, it will be difficult to do them with the oven at home. Practice shows that you can do without expensive microwave diagnostics if you know where to look for the cause of the malfunction.
The design and principle of operation of the microwave oven
A microwave or, as it is correctly called, a microwave oven, refers to electrical appliances of medium complexity. High voltage is present on individual elements, it is dangerous to touch them with your hands. Thus, the unit consists of several important units and parts:
- furnace body;
- magnetron;
- transformer;
- Control block;
- Cooling system;
- panel with composition mechanism (notice board).
The magnetron is the heart of the oven. Without it, do not heat water for tea or coffee, do not fry chicken. On the push-button or mechanically controlled microwave panel, the mode is set, the operating time is set. The oven transformer creates the electrical voltage needed to operate the trim.
The microwave control unit contains electronic components, radio components to ensure the interaction of the filling of the unit with the front panel. Since microwave radiation generates a significant amount of heat, forced cooling of the oven (fan) is necessary. And all of the above is packed into a solid and reliable case.
The principle of operation of the oven is based on heating the water contained in the products. The high frequency field generated inside microwaves causes friction between molecules.
It remains to choose the processing time, mode and wait for the food to warm up (boiling water). A turntable with a special drive allows you to evenly distribute the heat in the oven.
After switching on, if the device works properly, the magnetron starts automatically. Some models of microwave ovens also have a built-in grill - to create a crispy crust.
The main causes and methods of the problem do-it-yourself solution
The set of reasons can be reduced to several probable ones:
- Metal has entered the microwave chamber (the enamel on the walls has been destroyed).
- Utensils sprinkled with gold and silver are used.
- The mica seal has become unusable.
Next, we'll take a closer look at each of them, as well as what can be done to fix microwave oven malfunctions.
Metal inside
When the microwave went off, one of the likely reasons was that there was metal inside. How he got there is the third question. The main thing is that such a presence will predictably lead to negative consequences for the microwave and its owner.
Burnt mica plate
Another common option. For a number of reasons (marriage, fat, water), the integrity of the special plate is violated. It can be easily seen by looking inside the microwave through the open door. In this case, something can be done, that is, it is corny to replace the mica plate of the unit with a new one.
Metal, silver or gold plated
Kitchen utensils look great, shimmer when applied with a border of a thin metallic layer. Soup and small earthenware plates with a similar finish will be the pride of housewives and decorate the kitchen. With one caveat: you can't put such dishes in the microwave. Manufacturers of microwave ovens repeatedly warn users about this.
Mechanical damage to enamel
Since the body, casing and supporting elements of the oven are made of steel protected by a special enamel, if it fails, an unpleasant effect is possible.Just damage a thin layer in any area - doors, bottoms, walls - to expose the metal base of the microwave. It is problematic to correct this defect at home, especially if a special oven coating (bioceramic) is used.
Waveguide cover
Typically, in most microwave ovens, the mica plate and the waveguide cover are one piece. In case of destruction (with lumbago, sparks), the problem is solved by replacing it with a new one. This element is inexpensive, it is easy to attach.
The furnace repair procedure is necessarily preceded by cleaning the walls, the installation area of contamination. Otherwise, the microwave will work again.
There are several "popular" ways to restore plate performance:
- Flip the mica. If the scale of the tragedy is small, then the plate is turned over and then reinstalled in its place in the oven.
- Cover the burnout with a medical bandage. A method of dubious value, but it is believed that it allows to restore the working capacity of the furnace for some time.
- Buy a piece of mica of a suitable size, then, using the "old" part as a sample, carefully cut out the plate. It remains to install it in the oven.
Appliance socket and plug
In addition to the "interior" side of the malfunction, the problem may well lie in wait for the owners of the microwave oven from the outside. This is a bad connection (broken wire) in the plug or socket. Corrected by tightening the connections, if necessary - replacement of the cap. Microwave oven manufacturers often use molded plugs that cannot be repaired. When an internal break is detected, such a socket is replaced with a new one.
Any bends, kinks and damage to the insulation of the oven power cable are unacceptable.Failure to do so will result in electric shock. Depending on the degree of destruction, the restoration of the insulation is carried out, the complete replacement of the cable. But only when the device is off from the network.
Magnetron
The magnetron is one of the most expensive microwave parts. The performance of the oven from its functions depends on its performance, ease of maintenance. It is unlikely that it will be possible to repair a burnt-out magnetron, it is too complex a technological device. Experienced home craftsmen, service center specialists replace the entire magnetron. In this case, it is important to take into account the dimensions of the transmitter of the part to be replaced.
They should exactly match those provided by the microwave manufacturer. This is a typical error when the replacement unit is selected for electrical parameters only.
All work inside the unit should be performed in the off state to avoid injury from electric shock.
Recall that a malfunction of the magnetron is associated with a breakdown of the input circuits (capacitor filter).
Another important nuance is the ability to restore the working capacity of the “tired” magnetron by applying increased voltage. It is practiced by experienced specialists, not recommended for rehearsals with poor knowledge of the subject, low qualifications. This increases the number of turns in the transformer winding.
Malfunction of the sensors responsible for the temperature regime of the magnetron will also lead to malfunctions in the operation of the furnace.
How to extend the life
Many microwave oven owners, current and potential, are interested in how to extend the life cycle of a household unit, in order to avoid premature oven failure. Since the replacement of a high-voltage transformer, capacitors or a magnetron is not a cheap pleasure, it is recommended to follow the rules for the operation of the device:
- Do not switch the microwave on empty, in standby mode. When a microwave oven starts, electricity is consumed, a large amount of heat is released, and the resource of the oven parts is inevitably reduced.
- Keep the chamber and turntable clean, do not allow the accumulation of food residue and grease.
- At the first signs of burning the mica plate, abnormal microwave behavior - disconnect the device, then carefully inspect for damage.