The quick heating that made the microwave so popular is possible thanks to the magnetron. When it breaks, the whole furnace fails. If you can find a magnetron in the microwave, are curious and like to check service centers for honesty and competence, then this article is for you.
What is a magnetron?
This is a microwave generator in the oven. The electromagnetic waves that it emits heat products, setting in motion the water molecules in food. It turns out that the food is heated without thermal influence from the outside. Therefore, the working temperature in the microwave oven cannot exceed 100 ° С - the boiling point of water.
How it works
Here we can recall a school physicist who rightly said that science would come in handy.
The principle of operation and the circuit of this electrovacuum diode resembles an ordinary light bulb. High voltage is applied to the housing, which is the cathode. The power is connected, elementary particles - electrons - rush to the anode.
What does the anode consist of? A copper sleeve (cylinder, tube, lamp) with vacuum sections inside and a tungsten filament. On the sides are magnets that create a magnetic field and specify a spiral-shaped trajectory of movement of particles. Electrons moving around the resonator at a frantic speed, excite high-frequency currents. A powerful microwave stream arises, which enters the oven through a waveguide (antenna). Protection of the device from overheating is provided by aluminum radiator plates.
If the food does not heat up, check the magnetron.
Major malfunctions
In many cases, the magnetron is not repairable. But before buying a new one, you need to understand the causes of the breakdown. It may be possible to save by replacing just one part.
- Depressurization. Replacement required. It will not work without a vacuum.
- Breakage of the filament. It's like in a light bulb - if it burns out, then forever.
- The cap on the antenna burned out. Can be repaired.
- The magnetic system is out of order. It rarely happens, but if the upper magnet burst, it can be replaced.
- End of life. If the device has worn out, it is better to change it.
- The capacitance of the transition capacitor is broken. After such a breakdown, the service department advises replacing the entire magnetron. But, having the right tools, you will find how to replace this part.
As you can see, there are few fixable cases, but they are. Before starting repairs, check the system for functionality.
Diagnostics
Attention! In no case do not plug in the appliance that you pulled out of the stove body! This can cause irreparable harm to your health and others. Before disassembling the microwave, check how the power source works. Perhaps the weak voltage in the electrical network is to blame. If the power is OK, have a thorough inspection with the tester.
The first health check is visual. Look if the cap of the antenna has burned out, if there is any deformation, holes, traces of burning on the body, filter. Pay attention to the integrity of the magnets. This will help determine where the cause of the breakdown is. If there are no external signs of damage, you can ring the magnetron with a multimeter.
- Turn on the tester, set the mode to 200 ohms. Touch the probes to the terminals. The integral winding has a low resistance (approximately 0.5 ohms), you will hear a squeak or ringing.
- Nothing happens - it means that the filament has broken.
- To ring the feed-through capacitor with the tester, configure the largest measurement mode. With one probe, touch any of the contacts, and with the second touch the body. If everything is in order - nothing will happen, the device will show “∞” - infinity.
Does the charge strike the body? Most likely, the capacitance of the capacitor is damaged.
Important! The use of special diagnostic devices does not always guarantee the accuracy of the data.
How to fix at home
You can independently change such details:
- antenna cap;
- feedthrough capacitor.
Cap replacement
This item can be bought on any radio market, made independently from a suitable electrolytic capacitor in diameter or a thimble. How to do it:
- Disconnect the oven, carefully remove the power plug.
- Disconnect the mounts, pull out the device.
- Check the cap. If there is soot, clean with fine-grained sandpaper.
- The cap is broken by a current, burned out - need to be replaced.
- Remove it from the antenna, check its integrity. If the anode is in order, the device can be repaired.
- Install a new part, insert the magnetron into place.
We change the capacitor
- Remove the filter cover.
- Bite off the throttle contacts with wire cutters.
- Drill a hole (3 mm in diameter) around the condenser.
- Remove from the filter housing.
- Unwind one turn at each throttle. This will increase the contact length.
- Strip the contacts with sandpaper, a knife.
- Insert a new capacitor into the filter housing in place of the old one, screw it on.
- Connect the contacts so that they do not touch the walls of the box.
- Close the cover.
Done! We examined breakdowns that you can fix without the intervention of professionals. But if the magnetron cannot be repaired, it must be changed.
How to choose a new magnetron
Before you buy a new magnetron, study the technical specifications of the old. On the outer wall of the device there is a label with the necessary information: model name, power, frequency, location of the power terminals. Full compatibility can be obtained by choosing a model that matches the model of your microwave oven. Because, if you have Samsung, then the LG brand generator will not work in many ways.
Model | Power, W) | Dimensions (mm) | Operating Frequency (MHz) |
Daewoo electronics | |||
2m218 | 900 | 86*106,5*133,6 | 2 458 |
2m259 | 1 000 | 86*106,5*133,6 | 2 459 |
Rm228 | 900 | 86*106,5*133,6 | 2 459 |
2m254 | 900 | 86*106,5*133,6 | 2 459 |
2m248 | 900 | 86*106,5*133,6 | 2 459 |
Samsung | |||
OM52S | 600 | 72,8*110*121 | 2 465 |
OM75S | 900 | 73,2*109*126 | 2 465 |
OM75P | 900 | 80*127*133 | 2 465 |
OM80S | 1 000 | 80*111*133 | 2 465 |
Panasonic | |||
2m236-M42 | 900 | 93,2*127*133 | 2 460 |
2m261-M32 | 900 | — | 2 460 |
2m211A-M1 | 700 | — | 2 460 |
2m211A-M2 | 700 | — | 2 460 |
LG | |||
2m213 | 700 | 73,2*109*126 | 2 460 |
2m214 | 900 | 80*127*133 | 2 460 |
2m226 | 900 | 93,2*127*133 | 2 460 |
2m236 | 900 | 93,2*127*133 | 2 460 |
2m246 | 1 100 | 93,2*127*133 | 2 460 |
2m257 | 1 500 | 93,2*127*133 | 2 460 |
2m278 | 2 000 | 120*128*170 | 2 460 |
2m285 | 3 000 | 120*128*192 | 2 460 |
2m286 | 1 100 | 93,2*127*133 | 2 460 |
2m290 | 3 000 | 120*128*192 | 2 460 |
Witol | |||
2m217 | 600 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m218 | 900 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m219 | 950 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m301 | 200 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m311 | 200 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m312 | 300 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m313 | 300 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m315 | 600 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m319 | 1 050 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m339 | 950 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m343 | 1 500 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m363 | 1 500 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
2m369 | 1 050 | 86*106,5*133 | 2 460 |
Now you have all the data to find the model you need in the browser search engine, find out how much it costs and where to buy it.
Connection
How to connect:
- Insert the new device into the place of the old one.
- Screw the fixing bolts (screws) securely.
- Connect the wires.
- Screw the back of the oven.
Having the necessary knowledge and skills, you can even repair a complex, at first glance, electromagnetic system. But if you feel that you lack competence, do not take risks, trust the professionals.