If we are boiling water on the stove and we turn on the microwave we get a very lowd pop and a visible arc internally just above the conterol panel. We suspect it's the steam rising from the boiling water basically creating a short in the wiring. Should we be concerned or just avoid running the microwave while boiling water below?
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
The sound you heard was an Arc from the magnetron which provides the microwaves for heating, this means the magnetron has developed a short which unfortunately means you are now in the market for a new microwave as the cost to repair is not viable due to the decrease in replacement microwave cost over the last few years.
One would think that you would have the sense to use the extractor that is above your stove and under your microwave, would you use a laptop in a sauna!!! no wonder the thing is shorting out. Contact the person who fitted the microwave. always use the extractor when you boil things on the hob. I live in England it is illegal to have a microwave above a hob for this exact reason. America will catch up eventually with building regulations!!
I would guess that the boiling water may not have been the cause ...
If you are lucky ... try this first:
Unplug or turn the circuit breaker off (if it is a built in unit). Wait an hour and then repower.
Odds are that will not clear things up ... but it is easy to try. Probably one of the electronic internals broke.
A number of different internal component problems could cause this heating failure in the microwave. It could be the magnetron, the high voltage transformer, the PC board, the diode, and the capacitor. This type of problem will need to be diagnosed and repaired by a service technician. Microwaves are inherently dangerous to service. This type of repair is not something that you want to try to do yourself. Internal capacitors in the microwave can retain a lethal electrical charge even when the microwave is completely unplugged. A microwave radiation leakage test should be performed on the unit using proper testing equipment following any internal component repair.
Okay, first we need to separate the situations. You were boiling water on the stove and had the range hood fan running to **** up the steam. Then you put something in the microwave to heat and you heard a pop and then zip-o.
The water on the stove has nothing to do with the situation, the fan you turn on is not part of the microwave, so it has nothing to do with the microwave.
The pop you heard and then the humming suggests the magnetron failed. You said you found a blow fuse and replaced it and still nothing, right? The magnetron is the most likely culprit...I would think it is safe to say that the magnetron shorted and drew enough current to blow the fuse.
Replace the magnetron and if that doesn't work, let me know here. Good Luck!
Hey,
Try this
Probably a high voltage diode popped because contaminated grease eventually built up and made a path for a high voltsge arc to occur.. To confirm,take the outer cover off the microwave and discharge the high voltage capacitor by shorting its terminals.Then pull the plug off the magnetron side and place it near the magnetron socket. Now turn the microwave on and push the connector on the magnetron with a chopstick or a long insulated screwdriver. If no arc when you do this this confirms a bad diode.
Hello jeffnlaur,
The sound you heard could be any number of things but I would attempt to verify the basic preformance of the microwave was ok by placing a cup of water in the cooking compartment and switching the micro on for about 2 minutes.. The water should be close to or at a boil after this time ( depending on glass type and power output of oven). Listen for any other irregular sounds while it is running. You may have heard something in the soup pop or some of the electronics within the micro arc but it may not mean it is dangerous. Try the water test first and if it continues to exibit internal noises and burning a burning smell, I would discrad the oven. Table top models are very inexpensive and the cost to diagnose and repair would probably exceed the cost to replace,
In terms of dangerous, there are safety devices to cut off power to the magnetron and other components if warranted. Not sure that helps you but with limited info from your side, diagnostics are 'iffy' at best..
Regards
Rick
I would say the transformer for the power supply has probably shorted, or another major component in the power supply has shorted - This may be repairable if easily spotted, but most likely will not be cost efective.
×