Posted By Manny A couple of questions: 1. Is there any evidence od someone being harmed by a microwave (not by dropping it on their foot) 2. Is there a requirement to conduct a leakage test (if yes then when, what with and who conducts such a test Regards Manny

Posted By sezm2105 Hi Manny, This should come under PAT testing. However, we in the office believe that the testing process only applies to commercial microwaves not the domestic type so depends on what you've got and if you got it from Tesco! Also, you'll need a microwave leakage detector to check for emissions and a visual inspection of the seal should take place prior to testing. Plugtest (they also sell the leakage detector) the company that carries out our PAT testing have some useful guidance in their training manual, if you can get a copy. If not let me know and I'll email it to you. Regarding people being injured, back in the day cataracts were common but apart from putting your back out due to incorrect lifting I've not heard of any problems other than burning your fingers on reheated coffee! Regards, Sarah

Posted By Crim I know of PA test equipment that came with a microwave door leakage device, it looked like a screwdriver and you just run it around the door seal while the oven is operating. No idea where to get it though?

Posted By Peter Zunda "but when using one you must place a cup of water (or something) in the oven..." That's because microwave ovens should not be used without something to heat, it's part of the oven oeprating instructions rather than required by the tester.

Posted By Peter Zunda Alan, same point, different words. That's one of the difficulties with posting rather than talking ...... Peter.

Posted By John Richards You need something in the oven because otherwise the reflected radiation will cause damage to the unit. All microwave ovens exhibit some sort of leakage, most of the "testers" are nothing more than a diode probe...even an ordinary analogue multimeter on the ac range will show "leakage" when the probes are waved in front of the oven....

Posted By Crim That's something I read somewhere many years ago, don't remember where but it did stick with me. Think about it, what does it do to food? If it cooks food but escapes through the door seal then what would it do to you? How far do the waves travel?

Posted By Jim Tassell (2) Guys, there's a good explanation on wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven The one thing it doesn't refer to is ICNIRP (try googling it!) standards, which are incorporated in the design standards for these ovens. Remember, it's sealed to keep the energy in so for there to be leakage there has to be a hole in the enclosure. Apart from people who do crass things with them (sit on them...?), this is only likely because of a door seal or interlock problem. So, door seal examination for burnt crud and check of correct operation of the interlock are the things that matter. NB - pizza topping seems to cause more burnt-on crud than anything else. The visual indicators are OK as a backstop check for domestic units.