That's because a microwave can hold an electrical charge of thousands of volts in its capacitors for hours or even days after it has been unplugged. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that people have been electrocuted trying to repair their microwaves. So don't try it.
You may think you will avoid being shocked because you unplugged the microwave's power cord minutes earlier, but if you come in contact with a charged capacitor, the risk of injury and even death is considerable. This is why it is recommended that only experienced professionals access and replace internal components.
This includes safety interlocks which ensure that the oven turns off anytime the door is opened. Most injuries from microwave ovens are the result of heat related burns from overheated food or liquids. If microwave ovens are used while broken or altered, it is possible for them to leak electromagnetic radiation.
The microwave oven is not safe to use if the door is either removed, missing, or not closed. The door contains two safety features: the shield in the door itself and the activation latch, which will not allow the oven to operate unless the latch is closed.
The moment you keep microwave oven off (or the time setting is over) the radiation (microwaves) is stopped. The field decay time ( the time in which all radiation is decayed off from the cavity-oven box) is 5 nano seconds [2], that is 1/1000000000 th of a second. Obviously you can never open the door within this time.
Safety. It could be EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to operate a microwave oven with the cover off, much more dangerous even than working on raw mains electricity. Even after switching off, the capacitor may hold sufficient charge for an extended period to give you a DANGEROUS, possibly LETHAL electric shock.
Burning Smells, Smoke Or Sparks
If you notice any of these three issues, turn off the microwave immediately and disconnect it from the mains. The most likely cause of these problems lies with the magnetron. This is a critical component of the microwave, so this is a huge sign that it's time to replace the appliance.
Microwave ovens generally have at least two safety devices to prevent them from running when the door is opened. It's extremely unlikely that they would all fail.
The microwaves move at the speed of light, so they are instantly gone. There is no danger to opening the door quickly.
Remember to get back to it, as most microwaves have a built-in light that stays on for the duration that the microwave door is open. Leaving the door open will waste electricity and run down the light bulb.
The simplest way to determine if your microwave is leaking radiation is to use a microwave radiation detector like this one. Make sure that the radiation detector detects high-frequency signals from microwave ovens. Check the product description and reviews before making a purchase.
If you've looked after it well, there's no reason why a vintage microwave should be dangerous. However, it is possible that the screen or rubber seals around the door may have perished, allowing some radiation to leak out. For peace of mind, buy a microwave leakage tester.
Take it to an Electronic Retail Store
Broken microwaves still have some value in their working parts. Many electronic stores will take your old microwaves and electronics for that reason. They will usually recycle the rest for you. Some major retailers, including Best Buy, have electronic waste drop-off boxes on site.
Not a problem. To prevent self-inflicted damage to the curious and the unwise, manufacturers of microwave ovens have installed either one or two door-interlock devices which shut off the magnetron (and hence the production of microwave energy) before the door opens.
Robert McKechnie, manager of new product development for Electrolux and Frigidaire, told me that microwave ovens were originally designed to match side-open ovens, which were hinged on the left for ease of use by right-handed cooks. The tradition stuck around even with countertop and over-the-range models.
Steam and vapor from around the door while cooking is normal. This does not mean that the unit is leaking microwave energy. The door is designed to allow heat and steam to escape to prevent the overheating of the unit. Condensation inside the unit is normal when cooking foods of high moisture content.
Microwave safety: The design of microwave ovens ensures that the microwaves are contained within the oven and can only be present when the oven is switched on and the door is shut. Leakage around and through the glass door is limited by design to a level well below that recommended by international standards.
If your microwave still operates even when the door is open, this is a good sign that the door interlock switch is faulty. The switch is meant to send a signal to the control board to turn the microwave off when the door opens, so when it becomes faulty, it won't be able to do this.
The mesh screen, which is scientifically designed to allow viewing into the microwave, reflects the microwave energy and prevents it from passing through the window or plastic. A choke seal which is a protective layer around the door, assists in containing the microwave energy into the oven cavity.
Rust that has created even pinholes is a safety issue and should not be ignored. Replace microwaves with significant rust damage promptly. Again, the microwaves that cook your food are not going to hunt you down and give you cancer, but microwaves escaping the appliance are still a safety issue.
The first indicator that your microwave is better off replaced is the five-year lifespan. Microwaves can last a long time, but they have the shortest lifespan of household appliances. If your microwave is over 6 years and especially if it's approaching 10 years old, you're likely better off with a new microwave.
from getting in. Because of this shielding effect, your hand inside a non-running microwave actually receives less radiation than your hand out in the open air. Either way, the radiation you are exposed to is so low-energy that there is nothing to be concerned about.