Microwaves

[Dread Not]

I'm wanting to take apart a microwave to see how it works, and I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any precautions I should take.

(Naturally I think I should unplug it first. )

Thanks!

[Wyrm]

Don't. Manufacturers put those dippy little "NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS" stickers on equipment for a reason.

Warranty issues aside, it's likely a microwave will contain a heavy-duty high voltage condensor of some sort, which can kill you if it discharges through you. (I don't know that microwaves have such condensors, but there's no way am I finding out the hard way!)

[aerius]

A microwave contains transformers and capacitors running in the kilovolt range, like a TV, it'll kill you dead if you don't know what you're doing. If you still want to try it, read the warning stickers below, paying special attention to the last line.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

I'm wanting to take apart a microwave to see how it works, and I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any precautions I should take.

(Naturally I think I should unplug it first. :lol:)

Thanks!

Yes. Unless you're a trained electronics tech, or someone with a lot of experience, the precaution you should take is "don't do it, unless you're a fucking idiot." Those capacitors that aerius mentioned can keep their charge for a very long time, and will kill you if you inadvertently ground them through yourself. (Even a modest electrolytic capacitor, with a rating of a few tens of volts, that you can buy at Radio Shack can store up enough energy to melt the tip of a screwdriver placed across its leads.)

[Stile]

I'm wanting to take apart a microwave to see how it works, and I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any precautions I should take.

(Naturally I think I should unplug it first. )

Thanks!

Yes. Unless you're a trained electronics tech, or someone with a lot of experience, the precaution you should take is "don't do it, unless you're a fucking idiot." Those capacitors that aerius mentioned can keep their charge for a very long time, and will kill you if you inadvertently ground them through yourself. (Even a modest electrolytic capacitor, with a rating of a few tens of volts, that you can buy at Radio Shack can store up enough energy to melt the tip of a screwdriver placed across its leads.)

I'm a trained Electronics tech and I'll go out on a limb and say go ahead...

Oh.... here's some battery acid to play with also.

Here, stick this penny in the closest wall receptacle.

Don't do it....

[Dennis Toy]

Justy why do want to take a microwave apart. You just want to get a look inside?

If you want to do it then heres a few precautions.

First discharge the capacitors by connecting one lead to the ground and one to the metal frame. This will discharge the capactors.


other than that i try the website howstuffworks.com

[Dennis Toy]

question dude, are you a kid?

[Dennis Toy]

http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_captest.html


go to number 8 where it teachs you how to discharge capacitors.

[aerius]

If you want to do it then heres a few precautions.

First discharge the capacitors by connecting one lead to the ground and one to the metal frame. This will discharge the capactors.

Not necessarily, the frame may not be connected to ground. If it ain't, you've just made the entire frame live, which means if you touch the frame or anthing connected to it, you're going to fry.

[Dread Not]

question dude, are you a kid?

18, so I guess that depends on what you consider a kid.

For a while I've had an interest in how things work. I've taken apart some basic appliaces and such but suspected that there would be more dangers involved in taking apart a microwave (thank goodness for my paranoia ).

I look at how appliances work in books and on the internet but I enjoy seeing the components with my own eyes. But I get the idea. In the event that I decide to follow up on the disassembly, I'll make sure to have some expert help around.

[K. A. Pital]

I used to work as a tech in an electronics (mostly computers) repair dept, and I can absolutely seriously tell you that you're better just leave it. If you seriously want to disassemble it, have that done by people with experience. Good you at least had a clue to ask someone before proceeding...

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

question dude, are you a kid?

18, so I guess that depends on what you consider a kid.

For a while I've had an interest in how things work. I've taken apart some basic appliaces and such but suspected that there would be more dangers involved in taking apart a microwave (thank goodness for my paranoia ).

I look at how appliances work in books and on the internet but I enjoy seeing the components with my own eyes. But I get the idea. In the event that I decide to follow up on the disassembly, I'll make sure to have some expert help around.

Ah, you're just like me then. I recommend leaving the microwaves alone. Try an old electric fan...

[Ariphaos]

Not necessarily, the frame may not be connected to ground. If it ain't, you've just made the entire frame live, which means if you touch the frame or anthing connected to it, you're going to fry.

It should be, though dealing with microwaves, CRTs, and electrical wiring is something down with extreme caution.

For the original poster, this is probably the geek equivelant of trying to ride a bicycle while standing on the seat, or something. People have died to bring you our current state of technology, learn from their mistakes, not your own.

I've been given a few guidelines for my own projects, so... may as well pass them on. I'd rather give guidelines in case you found yourself in a situation where you needed to handle something dangerous.

1: Put your left hand in your pocket. Your left hand does not leave your pocket. If you are one of those rare people with their heart on their right side, your right hand goes in your pocket. Regardless, be like an amputee.
2: Wear shoes with soles.
3: Do not think of attempting to make use of both hands when working on dangerous electronics.
4: If you have cuts bruises, are sweaty, or in any way wet, do not proceed.
5: When dry, lengthwise, your body has a good two megaohms of resistance. Horizontally, if you cut yourself on each thumb you could very well fuck yourself up with a nine volt battery (doing the math, death is questionable. A car battery will certainly do it). See rules 1, 3, and 4.
6: Latext gloves can help, I generally just use plastic and metal tools appropriately.
7: One hand good, two hands bad, see rule 1
8: Know what you're working on. Especially when dealing with things like house current or tubes or similar wires. If you're not absolutely sure what all the dangerous parts are, just stay the fuck away and get help.

All that said, think about this.

My father used to repair TVs. Before I was born, he was working on one and needed to shift it around a bit. My mom thought something was wrong and put her hand on the tube to stop it.

So I'm told, she was knocked across the room and couldn't move her arm for a day. If her other hand was on a railing, or something, she would likely be dead and I would never have been born (Yeah yeah, pity...)

So, before even considering doing something as pointless as taking a microwave apart, please think about what happens if an accident occurs. Even a small one. Like, if the microwave is on a table, and something careless knocks it over. Or if you find the temptation to work with both hands "Just for a moment".

Instinct and ignorance are your enemy. There are building codes and electrician's codes for a reason.

[Dread Not]

For the original poster, this is probably the geek equivelant of trying to ride a bicycle while standing on the seat, or something.

Coincidently I'm trying to master that as well. Circus arts are one of my passions.

So, before even considering doing something as pointless as taking a microwave apart, please think about what happens if an accident occurs.

Naturally. I certainly had my misgivings about it. I was fairly certain that there would be risks of some kind, but wasn't sure what they might be (didn't expect them to be so easily lethal), and if there were any ways around them, so I thought I should at least look into it before scrapping the idea altogether. There are other places I could have found out, but thought I'd get the quickest response here.

A friend of mine might be able to put me in touch with somebody with experience who can help me out, or just demonstrate for me. It'll be a few weeks before he's in town though so that will have to be put on hold.

[aerius]

Not necessarily, the frame may not be connected to ground. If it ain't, you've just made the entire frame live, which means if you touch the frame or anthing connected to it, you're going to fry.

It should be, though dealing with microwaves, CRTs, and electrical wiring is something down with extreme caution.

Defintely, I've been tinkering with vacuum tubes for the last few years and have a fair bit of electronics background from university, and I still don't feel comfortable around CRTs. Vacuum tube circuits at around 300-500V is about as much as I feel comfortable with, any more and I get very uneasy. Once you get into the kilovolt range, scary things start to happen. Working with high voltages is something which just shoudn't be done unless one has all the background knowledge and skills and is fresh and alert.

Naturally. I certainly had my misgivings about it. I was fairly certain that there would be risks of some kind, but wasn't sure what they might be (didn't expect them to be so easily lethal), and if there were any ways around them, so I thought I should at least look into it before scrapping the idea altogether. There are other places I could have found out, but thought I'd get the quickest response here.

A friend of mine might be able to put me in touch with somebody with experience who can help me out, or just demonstrate for me. It'll be a few weeks before he's in town though so that will have to be put on hold.

A wise choice. Being alive is a good thing.