04-05-2023 02:48 PM - edited 04-05-2023 05:02 PM
So my almost 40 year old Panasonic microwave oven (mid eighties) is still working perfectly. Talk about build quality!
To my surprise, it suddenly was making a faint buzzing sound when turned off. Wow, that does not sound good! Is something shorted out and arching?
04-06-2023 02:34 AM - edited 04-06-2023 02:39 AM
@altenbach wrote:
- Decided to open it up (Yes, I am fully aware of the dangerous voltages present even when unplugged, so I was careful. There are some high voltage capacitors!).
I'm sure you are aware, but when opening a microwave the high voltage isn't the only danger. I guess 'don't try this at home' applies.
I wander if the European 'right to repair' will bring some of the product quality back. It sure sounds good in theory, but commerce usually find ways out of it.
04-06-2023 05:12 AM
Reminds me of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OfxlSG6q5Y
Old toasters are really much better than new ones, and the engineering behind it was impressive.
04-06-2023 08:24 AM
I love the toaster design, and Technology Connections. Whenever the wife hears me watching his channel she will say "What's he saying we're doing wrong now?" (She does actually like using powdered dish detergent but won't admit it)
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04-06-2023 10:04 AM - edited 04-06-2023 10:05 AM
wiebe@CARYA wrote:
I'm sure you are aware, but when opening a microwave the high voltage isn't the only danger. I guess 'don't try this at home' applies.
When just removing the cover, the high voltage seems to be the only serious problem (see also), i.e. about 2 electrocution deaths per year on average due to microwave repair attempts. There are even warning stickers all over the place. Other dangers would happen if you "dig deeper", e.g. would start taking apart or destroying the magnetron, which could expose you to e.g. toxic beryllium oxide. So don't use it as target practice. I did have a second person in the room, just to be sure. 😄
Even as preschooler, I had some encounters with 220V in Switzerland, e.g. making my own "extension cords" 😮 . The US 110V is mild in comparison. Yes, the voltage in a microwave capacitor is quite high. 5kV!
04-06-2023 10:15 AM
@altenbach wrote:When just removing the cover, the high voltage seems to be the only serious problem (see also), i.e. about 2 electrocution deaths per year on average due to microwave repair attempts.
That's pretty low considering other microwave experiments have killed at least 33 people since 2016.