Taking Apart a Microwave

Taking apart a microwave. Fairly simple. Fairly dangerous if you just plugged it in to "See if it works" and then start taking it apart. 
it's also worth the very little effort. I've taken one apart to show you what you get.


PS: I'm only thirteen so don't be too critical

there are a few things you should know before you start. 
1. Don't power up the magnetron. You will probably DIE
2. Don't use the transformer unless you know what you are doing
3. Be Safe
4.Take out any loose objects (the glass plate)
5. Have fun

The tools you will need are simple and everyone should have them. 
A screwdriver and a pair of wire cutters.
It helps to have a drill with a screwdriver bit.

Alright! 
Enough Blabbering. Lets get started.

TIME TO CUT THE CORD!

Remove the cover. This might be a little bit difficult but use common sense. Remove all  the screws golding it in place and lift up the cover like shown in the picture. it should snap right off.

title says it all.Remember to unplug any connectors instead of snipping wires.

Take out the fan. Most parts in the microwave operate  on 120v AC (unless you live in a place that has 240v  AC like me)
This is good as a ventilation fan for the workshop of a cooling fan or something.  

take out the high voltage capacitor and diodes. The Capacitor is worth a few dollars and the diodes are useful for other high voltage projects. 
the reason there are the diodes and capacitor in the microwave is because the magnetron  requires DC current to operate. These two components (cap. and diode) are used to convert the AC current from the transformer to DC.





Warning: DON'T USE THE CAPACITOR UNLESS YOU ARE QUALIFIED AND YOU HAVE LOTS OF ELECTRICAL EXPERIENCE

This component is the heart of the microwave and it's name sounds like something from transformers. 
The MAGNETRON. This thing heats up you food or drink or it cooks random stuff if you want to host you very own
"Is It A Good Idea To Microwave This?"

What this does is it converts the 2500 or so volts and transforms it into microwave radiation. Hence the name "Microwave"

Do not attempt to make a star-trek inspired microwave ray gun, you will most likely DIE

This is the big block. It converts 240v AC into about 2000-2500v AC. It provides up to 2.5A and at 2500v, it will kill you.
I said up to 2.5A.



To find out your transformer's details, divide watts (of the microwave. goole your model in to find it if it doesn't state it on the microwave's body) by output voltage to find out the amps, volts times input amps equals watts (consumption) and amps (output) into watts (output) equals volts (output)

Tis could be useful for timing something. It justs closes a circuit when it's counting down and it beeps when it's done.

(note: It's powered by mains) 

There are a few things left over.  The ones that are most useful to me are the switches found next to the timer. There is also a small motor that spins very slowly (6-7rpm) and it also operates on mains. There is also a nice little lamp. Probably Incandescent. 

All done. 

Summary of parts:
Fan
Transformer 
Magnetron
High voltage capacitor
2 Diodes
A thermal fuse
Lamp
Slow-RPM motor
3 Switches
Timer Circuitry
 
I think thats it.

Thanks for viewing my instructable and don't forget to leave a comment :)


HAVE FUN!