The microwave is an indispensable household appliance which has become an integral part of our life. Today, it’s hard to imagine a life without our friendly microwave. If you have a microwave in your house, it is likely to face a problem at some point. One of the most common problems that users face is “microwave not starting”. So what do you do when you face this issue? Should you call a friendly technician to repair or service your machine? Or should you repair it without professional help? If you plan to fix the machine without any technical support, here are details of some parts that are likely to cause this problem.
Troubleshoot your microwave that is not working by taking a look on these:
The Fuse
The fuse is a device that cuts off the flow of electric current when the voltage is erratic or too high. This action of the fuse protects the microwave when there is a sudden increase in electrical current. If the microwave is not working, the first thing you must check is the fuse. Your microwave will not function unless you replace the damaged fuse.
To replace the fuse, you must first know how the fuse looks like. The fuse is about an inch long and is made of glass or ceramic and metal. The ends of the fuse are metallic, and the center is either glass or ceramic.
To access the fuse, you must remove the outer cabinet of the machine, which will require you to remove a few screws. Once the enclosure is removed, just follow the path of the power cord. This will take you to the fuse holder, where the fuse of the machine sits. The fuse of the device is usually located three or four inches into the appliance. The fuse holder may be attached to the power board of the microwave.
Check the condition of the fuse to find out if it is blown. The fuse that is blown will produce black marks on a nearby surface or will be completely black inside. If it is a ceramic fuse, it will not have any visual signs of having blown. To test the condition of the ceramic fuse, you will need an ohmmeter. If the meter reads zero ohms, it indicates that the fuse is okay. On the other hand, the fuse is blown if the reading is infinite ohms.
If the fuse is blown, replace it immediately. To replace the fuse, just remove it from the holder and fix a new fuse in the holder. When setting the new fuse, just push the new fuse into the holder to tighten the grip. Once you replace the fuse, fix the outer cabinet of the unit. Then run it to see if it is working properly. Even though replacing the fuse is easy, many home microwave users may find it difficult to replace the fuse. These people can get help from microwave service technician.
Door Switch
The door switch is a simple mechanism which prohibits the machine from operating when the machine door is open. When the door switch is faulty, it will prevent the microwave from starting. If you suspect that the door switch is faulty, replace it immediately.
Before you check the condition of the door switch, make sure the oven is unplugged, and the capacitor of the machine is discharged. The switch is usually black in color and is an inch long. They have metal prongs that extend out from the body of the switch. These switches are typically mounted on the brackets near the door latch. Most modern microwaves have about 3 or 4 door switches.
The latch that is attached to the inside of the machine comes in contact with the switch and activates it when the door is closed. You must examine the lock before examining the condition of the switch. At times, the switch may be in perfect condition, but the latch inside the machine may be damaged or missing. If the lock is damaged, it will not be able to activate the door switch.
Some door switches have three prongs extending from their body, while others have only two prongs. Switches that have three prongs will have three terminals – normally closed terminal, normally open terminal, and the common terminal. Door switches that have two prongs will have a normally open terminal and a common terminal. Since most switches have three terminals, we will be dealing with testing and replacement of door switches with three terminals.
To check the condition of the door switch, carefully remove all the wires that are connected to the switch terminals. Since some switches may have locking clips which prevent the wires from coming loose, remove all the clips carefully.
Once you remove the switch, test the switch for continuity. You can start by measuring the resistance at the scale of Rx1. If you use an analog meter, you must touch the metal tips of the testing leads and zero the meter by adjusting the thumb-wheel on the meter until you see “Zero” on the scale.
Touch one lead of the meter to the common terminal and other to the normally open terminal. If your meter gives the reading of infinity, it indicates that the circuit is open, and there is no continuity. Without moving the leads of the meter, press down the actuator of the meter until you hear a click sound. When you hear the click sound, the meter will produce the resistance reading of 0 ohms. This indicates that the circuit of the part is closed, and there is continuity.
Now without replacing the lead that touches the common terminal, move the lead connected to the normally open terminal to the normally closed terminal. When you push the switch’s actuator, you should get a reading of infinity. When you release the actuator, you should get a resistance reading of zero ohms.
You should then set the meter to highest strength and touch one end to the normally open terminal and the other to the normally closed terminal. If the part is in perfect condition, the resistance between the leads must be infinite.
Finally, take the resistance reading from both normally open terminal and normally closed terminal to metal hardware mounted on the switch assembly. If you receive a reading of infinity, it indicates that the switch is in perfect condition.
If you get readings that are different from the reading present here, it shows that the door is defective, and it must be replaced. If you find it difficult to check the condition of the switch, it is best to get help from a microwave repairman. Today, several reputed microwave repair companies that offer their services in both commercial and residential areas.
If you plan to replace the faulty switch with getting help from a microwave technician, make sure you disconnect the power supply to the machine before attempting any repairs. When replacing the switch, make sure you get a switch of the same size. The new switch must have the same electrical specification, that is, the same current rating and the same terminal configuration. When removing the switch, make a note of which wire goes where.
Check the markings on the old switch to ensure the correct alignment of the new switch. Don’t depend on the location alone when fixing the new switch, as new switches may have a different arrangement. Once you repair the switch, use an ohmmeter to make sure all the wires are connected correctly.
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