📖 GLOSSARY · PART
What is a magnetron?
The vacuum tube that generates microwave energy; when it fails the oven runs and lights but nothing gets hot.
The magnetron converts high-voltage electricity into the microwave energy that heats food. Its failure is confusing to owners because everything else keeps working — the light comes on, the turntable spins, the timer counts down, and the food stays cold. Magnetrons are killed early by running the oven empty and by sustained arcing from a damaged waveguide cover. Replacing one is professional work because of the capacitor sitting next to it.
Where you’ll meet it
Repairs that involve magnetron
Related terms
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