Technical Guide: Microwave Ovens With Inverters
Technical Guide: Microwave Ovens With Inverters
Technical Guide: Microwave Ovens With Inverters
Warning
This service information is designed for experienced repair technicians only and is not designed for use by
the general public. It does not contain warnings or cautions to advise non-technical individuals of potential
dangers in attempting to service a product. Products powered by electricity should be serviced or repaired
only by experienced professional technicians. Any attempt to service or repair the product or products
dealt with in this service information by anyone else could result in serious injury or death.
Microwave ...........................................................................................................1
What are Microwaves?......................................................................................1
How do microwaves cook?................................................................................1
Inverter Technology............................................................................................2
Difference Between MWO without Inverter and MWO with Inverter ..................2
Major components. .............................................................................................4
Magnetron .........................................................................................................4
How to diagnose for an open filament or a shorted magnetron .........................4
Oven cavity .......................................................................................................5
Turntable ...........................................................................................................5
Primary/secondary latch switches .....................................................................6
Short switch.......................................................................................................6
Temperature Sensors........................................................................................8
Steam Sensor....................................................................................................9
How to check the steam-sensor function.........................................................10
Inverter Circuit .................................................................................................11
Test and Measuring Procedures......................................................................15
Procedure to check the Inverter using an Amp. Meter ....................................15
Measurement of microwave output .................................................................16
Procedure for measuring microwave energy leakage .....................................17
Safety Tips.........................................................................................................19
Safety tips for operation of microwave ovens ..................................................19
Safety tips for installation and maintenance of microwave ovens....................19
Models line-up .................................................................................................20
Features.............................................................................................................21
Functions...........................................................................................................27
Understanding Ionizing & Non-Ionizing Radiation.........................................29
Troubleshooting................................................................................................31
Inverter Circuit and Magnetron Troubleshooting .............................................33
Glossary of Electronic & Microwave Oven Related Terms ...........................34
The oven walls are not directly heated by microwaves, as they do not absorb
microwave energy. However, the inside of the oven may feel warm due to the
presence of the hot food and the heat generated by the electrical circuits.
• Power is lost (through heat dissipation) in converting the line voltage to the
higher magnetron level.
• The transformer operates at a constant power (cooking level) that can only
be changed by switching the power on or off repeatedly.
Inverter Technology
In inverter-equipped microwave ovens, the power transformer is replaced by a
circuit board, which converts the 60Hz incoming line frequency to a variable rate
of 20 KHz to 45 KHz. A relatively small transformer is then required to increase
the voltage to the level required by a magnetron.
By varying the pulse width, the output power can be linearly controlled for more
precise cooking and defrosting levels. The bulky power transformer is replaced
by a small, lightweight circuit board; and, because less heat is dissipated, power
efficiency is increased.
Conventional technology uses just a single power level, which is regulated by
switching pulses. In contrast, inverter technology directly controls the power
output. This constant soft penetration of microwave energy prevents the common
problems of shrinkage, overcooking, and loss of nutrients. The result is even food
temperature and textures throughout.
Figure 1
Traditional microwaves send out a single level of power in small bursts to cook
food at different speeds. For example, when set at 60% power, the microwave
energy would be on 60% of the time and idle 40% of the time.
Inverter microwaves, however, give accurate, true multiple power levels. When
you ask for 60% power, the oven delivers 60% power (e.g. they don’t just operate
60% of the time). This applies no matter what power level is selected. True
power levels give you better cooking results and your food would have an even
texture and temperature after cooking. The constant soft penetration of
microwave energy into the center of the food helps prevent overcooking on
edges and surfaces.
Figure 2
Magnetron components
Cooling
Fins
Antenna
Figure 3
Warning:
Special care should be taken in measuring around the magnetron.
Avoid contact with any of the high voltage parts while conducting the radiation
leakage test.
Oven cavity
The cavity is a multimode cavity resonator
designed to resonate the microwaves
emitted from the magnetron. Here is where
the food is placed for cooking or heating.
The oven cavity is made with stainless
steel, aluminum, or painted steel plate to
reflect the microwaves.
Oven Cavity
Figure 4
Turntable
The microwaves come into the oven’s cavity
from the side of the oven to ensure that the
microwave field evenly covers the top, sides,
and bottom of the food. The turntable then
exposes all parts of the food to the field, for
perfect results every time.
Turntable
Figure 5
Switch position
Switch Door Opened Door Closed
Primary Open Close
Secondary Open Close
Table 1
Short switch
This switch is used to prevent the operation of the microwave oven while the
door is opened.
The short switch creates a short circuit to blow the line fuse and stop microwave
oven’s operation if the door switches fail to open when the door is opened.
This switch is normally open when the door is closed.
Switches Location
Primary Switch
Figure 6
Note: When the fuse is blown due to operation of the short switch, replace the
primary switch, the short switch, the secondary switch, and the power relay.
1. Mount the primary latch switch, the secondary latch switch, and the short
switch to the door hook assembly as shown in the figure 7.
NOTE: No specific individual adjustments during installation of the primary
latch switch, secondary latch switch or short switch to the door hook are
required.
2. When mounting the door hook assembly to the oven assembly, adjust the
door hook assembly by moving it in the direction of the arrows in figure 7,
so that the oven door will not have any play in it.
3. Check for play in the door by pulling the door assembly.
4. Make sure that the latch keys move smoothly after adjustment is
completed. Tighten the screws holding the door hook assembly to the
oven assembly.
5. Reconnect the short switch and check the continuity of the monitor circuit
and all latch switches again by following the component test procedures.
Interlock switches
Switch
Actuator
Figure 7
The thermal cutout sensor is used to stop the flow of AC to the oven, if the cavity
surface overheats for any reason.
The thermistor will shut the oven down and reset the display when the magnetron
overheats and reaches a temperature of 257° F.
The cooking program can be re-started after the magnetron cools down.
The value of this thermistor is 30K to 120K at 50°F ~ 86°F.
Thermal cutoff
Thermistor
Figure 8
The steam sensor works just like the effect called piezoelectricity. The
piezoelectricity effect generates electricity when mechanical shock is applied to
the general dielectrics material.
In the case of the steam sensor, this effect is called pyroelectricity, where
electricity is generated when heat shock (hot steam) is applied to the general
dielectrics material. See the figure below.
Steam
Sensor
Figure 9
When the food is heated by the microwave oven, the food temperature gradually
increases and steam is generated from the food. The steam sensor, which is
located near the cooling fan, detects the steam from the food.
The fan keeps one side of the sensor cool and the other side, which has the
element, receives and feels the hot steam from the oven cavity.
Figure 10
Hot Steam
Steam Sensor
Fan
Door
Turntable
Figure 11
10
Heat sink
High Voltage
Transformer
CN702
AC Input
CN703
High Voltage
CN701 output to the
Control magnetron
Signals line
Figure 12
11
The high voltage transformer is driven by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) signal
generated by the microprocessor in the DPC (Digital Programmer Circuit). The
transformer is a component in the resonance circuit of the oscillator. Therefore,
a change in load or the power level affects the frequency of the drive signal.
Typically, the frequency ranges between 20KHz to 40KHz.
The half wave rectifier circuit, (D701, D702) generates the necessary 4,000V DC
needed to drive the magnetron.
Warning:
It’s neither necessary nor advisable to attempt measurement of the high voltage.
12
IGBT D701
Circui
DB701
D702 CT701
Figure 13
Warning
1. Always unplug the microwave oven from the electricity supply, before
removing the outer panel.
2. Never touch the inverter PCB with the microwave oven plugged into the
electricity supply. The inverter circuit board handles voltages up to 5000
volts and is very dangerous.
3. Do not touch the heat sink during operation of the microwave oven. The
heat sink handles high voltage and becomes very hot.
4. Always discharge the high voltage capacitors located on the inverter
circuit board before beginning any troubleshooting.
5. Only test the inverter circuit board by installing it completely into the oven
and refitting the outer panel.
6. Always connect the inverter circuit to earth via the earth plate. It is very
dangerous to operate the inverter circuit when it is not connected to earth.
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Figure 14
14
1. Place the beaker with one liter of water into the oven cavity.
2. Unplug the 2 pins high voltage connector from the plug CN703 on the
Inverter power supply.
3. Set the oven at high power for 1 minute and press start. The Oven
operates for approximately 15 seconds and then it stops showing the error
code H98.
During operation, the AC line current should be between 1A and 1.7A.
4. Unplug the 3 pins connector from CN701 on the inverter power supply.
5. Set the oven at high power for 1 minute and press start. The Oven
operates for approximately 27seconds and then it stops showing the error
code H97.
During operation, the AC line current should be between 0.4A and 0.8A.
15
Equipment necessary:
• 1liter beaker.
• Glass thermometer.
• Stopwatch.
Figure 15
NOTE:
Check the line voltage under load. Low voltage will lower the magnetron output.
Take the temperature readings and heating time as accurately as possible.
The normal temperature rise at High power level for each model should be as
follow:
• 1200W output (IEC705-88) models should have a minimum temperature
rise of 18.5°F.
16
Equipment
• Electromagnetic radiation monitor
• Glass thermometer 212°F or 100°C
• 600cc glass beaker
Figure 16
1. Do not exceed the meter full-scale deflection. The leakage monitor should
initially be set to the highest scale.
2. To prevent false readings, the test probe should be held by the grip
portion of the handle only.
3. Pour 275 ± 15cc (9Oz± 1/2oz) of 68° ± 9°F water in a 600cc beaker and
place in the center of the oven.
17
Leakage reading for a fully assembled oven with door normally closed should be
less than 2mW/cm 2 (1mW/cm 2 for Canada).
Leakage reading for a fully assembled oven [Before the latch switch (primary) is
interrupted] while pulling the door should be less than 2mW/cm 2.
Leakage reading for an oven with the outer panel removed should be less than
5mW/cm 2.
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• Take special care to ensure that no damage occurs to the part of the oven
making contact with the door or door seals.
• Ensure that the microwave is unplugged or disconnected from electrical
power before reaching into any accessible openings or attempting any
repairs.
• Ensure that the adjustment of applied voltages, replacement of the
microwave power generating component, dismantling of the oven
components, and refitting of wave-guides are undertaken only by persons
who have been specially trained for such tasks. The services of a qualified
repairman should be sought when any malfunction is suspected.
• Do not bypass the door interlocks.
• Do not test the microwave power-generating component without an
appropriate load connected to its output. The power generated must never
be allowed to radiate freely into occupied areas.
19
Full-Size
NNH964B/W / NNP994B/W / NNP994S / NNS254W / NNH264B/W/Q / NNP294B/W /
NNP294S
Convection
NNC980W/B / NNC994S
20
Lightweight Design
Panasonic's Inverter® Microwave Ovens are lighter, sleeker and more compact
than ever before, yet also offer more space inside to prepare food. Panasonic
Inverter® technology replaces bulky capacitors with a compact circuit, reducing
the weight and size of our microwave's power supply and providing more room in
which to cook food. In all, an Inverter® Microwave Oven is 9 lbs. lighter than a
conventional microwave oven.
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Figure 17
Word Prompting.
The LCD screen provides word-by-word instructions on features such as setting
the clock, Auto Defrost and using one-touch cooking.
In total, there are over 50 instructions programmed into the oven, covering every
feature of its operation.
Recipe Prompting.
At the touch of a single button, Recipe Prompting provides step-by-step
instructions for a number of different recipes, advising on ingredients, cooking
dishes needed, power levels and cooking time.
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Figure 18
Non-Cooking Functions
Time Time
Current Microwave Oven Inverter Microwave Oven
Figure 19
23
Dimension 4 Type
With this type of convection/microwave oven, besides having the advantage of a
combination oven, it is also possible to bake, brown, re-heat and broil food.
Dimension 4 Type
Table 1
24
Figure 21
25
Table 2
26
Auto Reheat
Keep Warm/Simmer
A pulsing delivery of very low microwave power keeps food temperatures at a
constant level -- without overcooking. Panasonic's improved keep warm menu
now includes five items. So, foods like stew, gravy and desserts remain warm in
the oven until you are ready to serve.
More/Less Control
This feature is useful when something needs to be cooked for a shorter or longer
amount of time than the pre-programmed times.
27
Delay Start/Timer
This feature allows you to program a set amount of time to let food stand after
cooking. You can also program a delayed start (up to 99 minutes and 99
seconds) to the cooking. Finally, it allows you to use the microwave as a minute
timer.
Quick Minute
Set cooking times in one-minute intervals, or add a minute to a current cooking
session.
Popcorn Button
Even though making popcorn is far from its only use, it's still a popular one.
Three common sizes of microwave popcorn pouches are pre-programmed (1.75
oz., 3.0 oz., and 3.5 oz.). After selecting the appropriate size with the “Menu
Action Screen”, just push “Start”. The oven will cook for the proper amount of
time to ensure that most of kernels are popped.
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Figure 22
29
Extremely low-frequency radiation has very long wavelengths (on the order of a
million meters or more) and frequencies in the range of 100 Hertz or cycles per
second or less. Radio frequencies have wavelengths of between 1 and 100
meters and frequencies in the range of 1 million to 100 million Hertz.
Microwaves that we use to heat food have wavelengths that are about 1
hundredth of a meter long and have frequencies of about 2.5 billion Hertz.
Ionizing Radiation
Higher frequency ultraviolet radiation begins to have enough energy to break
chemical bonds. X-ray and gamma ray radiation, which are at the upper end of
magnetic radiation, have very high frequency --in the range of 100 billion billionth
Hertz--and very short wavelengths--1 million millionth of a meter. Radiation in this
range has extremely high energy. It has enough energy to strip off electrons or,
in the case of very high-energy radiation, break up the nucleus of atoms.
Ionization is the process in which a charged portion of a molecule (usually an
electron) is given enough energy to break away from the atom. This process
results in the formation of two charged particles or ions: the molecule with a net
positive charge, and the free electron with a negative charge.
Each ionization releases approximately 33 electron volts (eV) of energy. Material
surrounding the atom absorbs the energy. Compared to other types of radiation
that may be absorbed, ionizing radiation deposits a large amount of energy into a
small area. In fact, the 33 eV from one ionization is more than enough energy to
disrupt the chemical bond between two carbon atoms. All ionizing radiation is
capable, directly or indirectly, of removing electrons from most molecules.
There are three main kinds of ionizing radiation:
• alpha particles, which include two protons and two neutrons;
• beta particles, which are essentially electrons; and
• gamma rays and x-rays, which are pure energy (photons).
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31
32
Condition
Open
Check for magnetron filament continuity.
(Refer to the “how to diagnose for an Magnetron
open filament or a shorted magnetron”
procedure listed on page 4.)
OK
120V AC
3V AC
H.V. Inverter
Note: Do not re-adjust preset volume, or try to repair this inverter power supply.
33
CATHODE: The general name for any negative electrode. In a magnetron tube,
the cathode is centered within the anode and at high negative voltage potential.
CHOKE: (1) An inductance (usually a coil) used in a circuit to impede the flow of
pulsed DC or AC without appreciably affecting the flow of DC. (2) A groove,
channel, or other discontinuity that is dimensioned so as to reflect guided
electromagnetic waves of a certain frequency range.
34
CORE: A magnetic material that affords an easy path for magnetic lines of flux.
DC VOLTAGE: An electric current that flows in one direction only, thus it is Direct
Current.
DUTY CYCLE: In a magnetron tube: The ratio of oscillating time to total time.
ELECTRODE: The terminal at which electricity passes from one medium into
another, such as in a humidity sensor unit where the current leaves or returns to
the semi-conducting ceramic compound.
35
FERRITE: A ferric oxide material that has both magnetic properties and a high
resistance to current flow. The high electrical resistivity makes any current losses
extremely low at high frequencies.
FREQUENCY: The number of times a wave makes one full cycle in one second
of time. Usually expressed in hertz (Hz).
36
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display. A digital display, which utilizes a liquid crystal
material to form digits and characters without generating any light. The liquid
crystal material separates and is sealed-in by two sheets of glass, one of which
has character-forming segments etched into it and serves as the viewing
side. When voltage is applied to the electrodes that extend from each of the
etched segments, the liquid adjacent to the segments changes tone (usually
darkens), thus forming visible characters.
37
LOAD: An object or device that consumes electrical energy, and thus changes
the energy into another form. Food products change microwave energy into heat
energy.
OHM: The basic unit of resistance. One volt will cause one ampere of current to
flow through one ohm of resistance.
38
PHASE: The relationship in time and polarity between two waves. A phase
difference results when one wave leads or lags another.
PHOTO-COUPLER: An isolated coupling device which, when energized by an
input, sends a signal to a semiconductor switching device, such as an SCR.
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TERMINAL: (1) A point to which electrical connections can be made. (2) The
electrical input or output of a circuit or component.
TRIGGER: A short pulse, either positive or negative, which can be used to cause
an electrical function to occur.
TUNING STUB: A rod, screw, or post of conductive material that projects into a
wave-guide for one or more of the following purposes: impedance matching,
producing desired phase relationships, or to minimize reflected energy.
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VOLTAGE: Voltage is the force (or pressure) that causes current to flow through
a conductor. The voltage of a circuit is the greatest effective difference of
potential between any two conductors of a circuit.
VOLTAGE DROP: Ratio of voltage (or electrical pressure) lost (or dropped)
across a specified load as a result of forcing current flow through that load.
WATT: The practical unit of electric power. In a DC circuit, one watt of power is
used when one ampere of current flows through a resistance of one ohm.
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