"Jim Yanik" . wrote in message
.. .
| "James Sweet" wrote in
| news:MKLtd.650$Qp.314@trnddc01:

| The vast majority of microwaves cycle the magnetron, only the inverter
| type can do true variable power. I don't know if only Panasonic does
| this, but one way to tell would be the weight, a conventional
| transformer power supply will be considerably heavier, and the ovens
| will be cheaper as well.
|
| Price-wise that's strange,as it's cheaper to make a switcher than it is to
| make a big,iron-core transformer. That's why most electronics went to
| switchers;it's cheaper than 50/60hz iron transformers,especailly at higher
| power levels.

Judging by the weight I think many new ovens use switchers, but don't
modulate them.

N