How do you check for a radiation leak in a microwave?

Babrew


Joined: 15/09/2010
Posts: 486

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:00

Taken from the internet..........You stick your cell phone in your microwave***DO NOT TURN ON*** and then get some one to phone your cell phone. If it rings your microwave is leaking radiation if not your microwave is a ok.

The above is not very reliable. Most microwave leaks are caused by small cracks along the door/hinges. If the cell phone doesn't ring, it is more likely that putting it in the microwave has shielded it from the cell phone tower. Even if there is a leak the signal may still be attenuated enough that the cell phone would not detect it.



Well my phone rings, how about yours?

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:09

I keep warning the misus not to stand too near the microwave when it is on and specially to avoid taking anything out of the cupboard just beneath it i.e. nobody should have their head near the microwave when it is working.

ismet

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:15

or a mobile phone

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 00:13

Find a fluorescent tube.

Darken the room.

Hold it against the edges of the microwave oven's door when the oven is in use. While normally it is not recommended to use the microwave with nothing inside it, in this short experiment, it is best not to add anything to the oven. If your microwave oven is pre-1980s, however, add a glass of water.

Check for a reaction. If there is microwave leakage occurring, the bulb will glow.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 00:18

Strewth. I wish I had not read this. Now I know why my hair is falling out and my mouth and teeth look like a bag of burnt chips !

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 00:21

) ) )

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 01:06

Hi Alison, I think the best advise it to replace your microwave every 5-6 years. The prices have really come down now so better to be safe than sorry!

EamonnMc


Joined: 18/06/2010
Posts: 1019

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 01:33

My head just went "ding"

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 01:41

Was there any chicken in it?

MsGarnet


Joined: 04/01/2009
Posts: 989

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 01:53

Is someone thinks they have a leak in their microwave - wouldn't it be sensible thing to sling it and buy another? Why risk it?

Sid447


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 141

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 10:03

Re mssg 1,



A microwave oven is specifically made to stop radiation in the 2.45Ghz band.



http://hypertextbook.com/facts/1998/HowardCheung.shtml



Mobile phones operate on a totally different wavelength:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_frequency_bands



A lot of people are going to throw away serviceable microwaves on the strength of hearsay from some internet expert.

cypgab


Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 338

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 10:19

Generally there is no harmful radiation when it is working - unless you tend to do your cooking with your head resting on the oven - radiation levels have an inverse relationship with distance.



Radiation leaks, if any, and they are very rare, are usually caused by dirty seals on the doors.



In a commercial scenario, I know of only one leaky microwave out of several hundreds, and that was grease/dirt on the seal.



Give them a wipe on, say, a monthly basis and job done.

bustybabs


Joined: 17/02/2011
Posts: 25

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 09:07

For many things you really can just use your mobile phone. Watch this video, http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=GB#/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=V94shlqPlSI and then entertain your friends at your next dinner party.