How To Detect Microwave Radiation Leaks?

How To Detect Microwave Radiation Leaks?

Microwaves in the last decade or so have become a predominantly primitive need of our household and kitchen. From the simplest process of boiling a kettle of water to cooking your favourite pizza, microwaves have the ability to do it all. These devices as the name suggest work on the principle of microwaves which propagate through your food or liquid. The waves vibrate the water molecules inside the food and heat the food inside out unlike the conventional ovens that were used earlier.

Microwave radiation

As microwaves have made our lives easier by decreasing the time and effort put in to cook or warm our food, they have also added to the hazard list the leakage factor of microwaves. Microwave leakages can not only harm adults or children around, but can also damage nearby electrical equipment, therefore, it is very much necessary that the microwave in your kitchen is checked timely for any kind of leakage. It is not always necessary that you need some external support for getting your microwave tested for leakages, there are ways that you can adopt to check the leakages on your own. Here is the list of checks that you can perform to check whether there is any leakage in your microwave or not.

1. CELL PHONE NETWORK –

cell phone network

The microwaves that we use at our homes come with a protective shielding or casing which is built in the microwave itself. The shield absorbs the waves emitted by the microwave and don’t allow them to escape the microwave body. The same is the case with the waves going into the microwave. The shield also doesn’t allow any electromagnetic waves to pass into the microwave oven. To check, place your cell phone inside the microwave oven, dial the number of the cell phone that is placed inside, in case the number is not reachable or is said to be switched off, then the shield is working fine. In case the cell phone rings then there are leakages in the shield which need to be addressed as soon as possible.

While you perform this test make sure that your microwave is switched off, and unplugged from the power socket.

2. FLUORESCENT BULBS OR NEON BULBS –

fluorescent bulbs or neon bulbs

There are some electric bulbs which react to microwaves. These bulbs glow when close to microwaves glow. This glow though is completely dependent on the reactance of the bulb towards the microwaves or the intensity of the microwaves. To check the radiation of your microwave by these bulbs, find a fluorescent or neon NE-02 bulb from the nearest store. Darken the room or the kitchen to the at most you can. Now as you run the microwave cycle you also start moving slowly the bulb around the microwave. In case the bulb glows, even to the fadest of possible light that I could emit, then your microwave is leaking.

While you do this activity, first do it with a glass of water inside the microwave as you run the cycle. This will keep you safe in case the microwave is emitting large emission, the water will absorb some part of it. If you detect nothing with water inside, you should then proceed with the empty cycle.

3. RADIATION TESTING METER –

radiation testing meter

The easiest way to check whether the microwave is leaking or not, is to check it with an emission tester. These devices are available easily on the internet, but before choosing so make sure that the device has a trusted source, because most of the cheap ones can give you false alarms and that would lead you to get the microwave repaired for no reason. The steps to follow for the detection of the waves will be the same as that with the fluorescent or neon NE-bulbs.

So, these are the three ways that you can check whether your microwave is leaking or not. All these tests can easily be conducted by your own selves, and the results can too be derived quite easily.

Radioactive sign

For your safety and for the safety of the appliances nearby your microwave do check if there is any leakage in your microwave. In case there is one, get the microwave tested by an expert for actions against any leakages.