In 80% of situations, if sparks appear in the microwave or the food does not heat up, the cause is a mica plate problem. Thanks to this detail, microwaves are displayed, high-quality and fast heating of food products. But can household appliances function normally if mica is removed, or is it necessary to replace it? In the article, we examine the signs of failure of the mica plate for the microwave, as well as options for its replacement.
What is mica?
Environmentally friendly material has high dielectric properties and is characterized by good vapor permeability. Such a part of the microwave provides heating of the chamber inside the equipment, the safety of the waveguide and magnetron. Mica is cheap and can be purchased at various specialized outlets.
Reasons for Burning Mica
The main reason for the combustion of the mica plate for the microwave is due to the contamination of the surface of the material by spray from products. The fat and food debris deposited on the plate absorb the radiated microwave energy and heat up, causing a sparking between the magnetron antenna and the plate itself.
The second reason is the operation of the furnace with a small volume of products, less than 100 grams. When the equipment is idling, due to the increased electric field strength on the surface of the mica plate for the microwave, there are holes that, with subsequent use of the equipment, only increase, as a result, the part simply burns out.
Untimely liquidation of the breakdown can lead to complete burn-out of the magnetron antenna up to its complete destruction, disruption of the enamel coating of the chamber and destruction of its walls. In this situation, to eliminate the breakdown, it is necessary to replace the magnetron, the waveguide cover and clean the chamber with special detergents. The mica plate for the microwave must be replaced if it is in poor condition, has become sour after cleaning the equipment chamber, or is very dirty with grease.
Signs that part replacement is needed
How to make sure that the cause of the breakdown lies precisely in the plate, and not in other details of household appliances? It is important to pay attention to such signs:
- If the surface of the mica has darkened or spots have appeared on it, this is a sure sign that it is time to change the part.
- If the screen is covered with a visible layer of grease or is curved.
- If there are cracks or the material starts to fly around at all.
In the event that at least one of the above signs is identified, it is necessary to carry out repair work or replace the mica as soon as possible. This can be done both in the workshop and at home.
How to choose a replacement material
When the mica plate burned out in the microwave, many are interested in how to replace the part in household appliances and whether it is possible to use other material. Thinking of how to replace mica that has deteriorated, you need to consider its properties:
- High dielectric constant.
- Environmental friendliness, that is, when heating dishes, harmful substances should not be released.
- High ability to trap and pass steam, which prevents the appearance of condensation on the magnetron during operation of the equipment.
Why is such scrupulousness necessary when selecting a mica plate? If these requirements are not taken into account, then in the process of heating food, substances hazardous to human health may form, or water droplets will settle on wires that pass current. Why take the risk? After all, a short circuit can occur, which will lead to expensive repairs. If the mica plate burns out in the microwave, the master will tell you what to replace the part with. In some cases, heat-resistant plastic can be used.
Remove the old plate
Repair a mica plate for a microwave, buy in Moscow which is not difficult, maybe even a person who does not understand the technique. It can be purchased at Parts Direct stores, points are located in Mitino, on Nakhimovsky and Novokuznetsk. You can also find goods on the trading floors. Initially, it is necessary to remove the part from its place. There is nothing difficult to fix the plate: one self-tapping screw or two plastic rivets on one side, on the inside of the chamber the corners of the plate are mounted in the slots located in the furnace wall.
To remove the plate, unscrew the screw and then slip a knife blade under it. This makes it easy to remove the part. Plastic rivets are also removed with a knife. In some situations, in order to simultaneously pull the four corners of the part out of the grooves, the screen of mica is tucked from one edge and bent in the middle. Triangular mica screens are much less common. The old plate must be knocked down carefully, as it will serve as a stencil for cutting a new part.
We form a new mica plate
Using a spoiled part, a new mica screen is cut, which is well aligned over the entire surface. Most often, the plate is cut out in the shape of a rectangle. Cut the material only with a sharp knife along the contour, while using a metal ruler. Experts recommend not using scissors in such work, since the edge crumbles from them, the mica breaks. The edges of the new part are treated with fine sandpaper.
We clean the walls of the microwave
After all the work, the walls of the equipment are well washed and cleaned. Burnt places are cleaned with sandpaper. In the process of cleaning, enamel can be removed, the main thing is that there is no carbon deposits. Organic residues in the form of fat are necessarily cleaned off if the metal itself is not damaged.
If there is no soot, then cleaning with a sandpaper is not carried out, but only wipe the surface with a clean damp cloth. This will be enough. Small burns in the magnetron’s antenna usually do not affect the operation of the equipment.
Fix the new plate in its place
After cleaning, all the elements are well dried from moisture and put in place, then a new plate is attached. In most cases, the screen from the mica is bent to run the corners into the grooves. Such actions are done carefully, since the parts are fragile and you can easily violate their integrity. After assembly, household appliances are checked in operation. For this, a microwave oven must contain at least 200 grams of a product with a high water content.
Remember that a modern microwave oven without a mica plate will not work. If the part is out of order, it is better to limit the use of household appliances for the duration of the repair.