Glowing Magnetron.

Hi Russell , I will let you know of my experiences with microwave repairing. Firstly I will assume you know all the safety stuff about the HV

I have safely been able to measure the filament/heater winding - which is around 3v (extreme caution needed as it is above 2kv) Luckily I haven't had to do this very often due to the risk. I have gone by a very simple and maybe crude way of listening to the magie at switch on and the overall temp after running it for a set time. "Most" magies will give a noticeable increase in loading within the first 2 seconds (as the filament/heater warms up) and after 1 min heating a cup of water the magie will be less than 50 deg (warm but not hot) Due to the replacement cost of most mw's I haven't seen many lately - so I cannot confirm the heater as visible, all the ones that I have seen to date are enclosed and not visible at all. But due to the HV and current if there was an issue with the terminals and insulation etc - it WILL become very noticeable very quickly.

Russel and Jeff,

my two cents worth. :) when I was repairing them in the late 1980s, I remember hearing after pushing the start button. 1. a low level hum. then, 2 a sizzling sound.then, 3 a much loader hum as the magentron starts to emit microwaves.

On the subject of caution, the supply in the oven is lethal. A friend in the 80s showed me, through an experiment, just how lethal they are.

Regards, Mitch...

I concur Mitch, My test setup is completely hands and body free (nowhere within 3 feet).

I don't measure the HV much anymore as I do most by ear - and you don't need to most times

Regards Jeff