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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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Microwave waveguide
Microwave oven was arcing, so after reading the repair faq I learned
that the wave guide cover was a possible source. Sure enough the cover had food material on it that had carbonized. I tried soap and water but that wasn't removing it. I was able to scrape some of it off using my finger nail but there was still material that didn't want to come off the cover. So then I tried a scotch brite scrubbing sponge and gave it a good scrub. That did the trick and the microwave now works. However, during the cleaning I noticed that a shiny material was being removed from the guide in addition to the carbonized food particles. I'm guessing this was the material the waveguide is made from which appears to be mica. Are these small flakes toxic or otherwise dangerous to health? |
#2
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Microwave waveguide
On Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:21:05 -0700 (PDT), Trail Rider
wrote: Microwave oven was arcing, so after reading the repair faq I learned that the wave guide cover was a possible source. Sure enough the cover had food material on it that had carbonized. I tried soap and water but that wasn't removing it. I was able to scrape some of it off using my finger nail but there was still material that didn't want to come off the cover. So then I tried a scotch brite scrubbing sponge and gave it a good scrub. That did the trick and the microwave now works. However, during the cleaning I noticed that a shiny material was being removed from the guide in addition to the carbonized food particles. I'm guessing this was the material the waveguide is made from which appears to be mica. Are these small flakes toxic or otherwise dangerous to health? I'm not an electronics, geology, or medical guru, but I'd guess yes. Still, most of the people who get hurt by all these toxic things are people who work with it for a living, who mine it or grind it and inhale a tiny bit day after day, year after year. LIke professional waveguide scurbbers. This assumes it's mica. I haven't seen it but I'm not convinced. When I inhaled, I think, a piece of vinyl insulation from a piece of wire, my brother, an MD, said don't worry about it. Unnless you're a star athlete or spend time being chsed by lions, you have a lot more lung than you really need. |
#3
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Microwave waveguide
"Trail Rider" wrote in message ... Microwave oven was arcing, so after reading the repair faq I learned that the wave guide cover was a possible source. Sure enough the cover had food material on it that had carbonized. I tried soap and water but that wasn't removing it. I was able to scrape some of it off using my finger nail but there was still material that didn't want to come off the cover. So then I tried a scotch brite scrubbing sponge and gave it a good scrub. That did the trick and the microwave now works. However, during the cleaning I noticed that a shiny material was being removed from the guide in addition to the carbonized food particles. I'm guessing this was the material the waveguide is made from which appears to be mica. Are these small flakes toxic or otherwise dangerous to health? Particles of mica dispersed by arcing could possibly be hazardous - especially showered onto your dinner. I certainly wouldn't risk it. Whether you chose to follow suit is up to you, but in this situation I would remove the mica 'window' and throw it in the bin. The risk you would be taking is that certain foods pop or spit and particles could end up in the waveguide, usually this isn't a big problem unless you explode an egg in the microwave. When I did that a large chunk of egg white blocked the waveguide and overloaded the transformer. Its also possible you might be able to locate a component supplier for consumer goods and order a new mica - but I'm guessing its pretty old as most use dielectric plastic these days. |
#4
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Microwave waveguide
Ian Field wrote:
"Trail Rider" wrote in message ... Microwave oven was arcing, so after reading the repair faq I learned that the wave guide cover was a possible source. Sure enough the cover had food material on it that had carbonized. I tried soap and water but that wasn't removing it. I was able to scrape some of it off using my finger nail but there was still material that didn't want to come off the cover. So then I tried a scotch brite scrubbing sponge and gave it a good scrub. That did the trick and the microwave now works. However, during the cleaning I noticed that a shiny material was being removed from the guide in addition to the carbonized food particles. I'm guessing this was the material the waveguide is made from which appears to be mica. Are these small flakes toxic or otherwise dangerous to health? Particles of mica dispersed by arcing could possibly be hazardous - especially showered onto your dinner. I certainly wouldn't risk it. The sparkle-looking stuff in toothpast is mica, and harmless. Just don't snort mica dust like a line of coke or anything like that. |
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