Hi,

As I am sure that you are aware, there is no legal requirement for PAT.

The legal requirement is that you maintain the equipment to ensure that it is safe for use.

PAT is one way of helping to demonstrate this.

If, a microwave oven is capable of presenting a danger to users if it leaks, then it would be required to test it to ensure that it is not leaking.

Now we all know that a microwave oven if leaking can be lethal.

So, is there a requirement to test it for leakage?

The current version of the IET CoP for ISITEE has removed microwave leakage testing from its content as it is not directly electrical safety.

Microwave "radiation" is non-ionising EM radiation, thus the Non-ionising radiation guidance, such as the EMF regulations would apply.

As microwaves are EM radiation, and the "EMF regulations" require assessment and verification of the exposure of persons to EM radiation at work, then I would say that the microwave must be checked for leaks to ensure that it complies with the "EMF regs".

There is a list of items that do not require EMF testing including microwave ovens, mobile phones and computer equipment. All of these items are designed and manufactured to standards which include limiting exposure to EMF. (Connected up thinking by the regulators!).

So if the equipment is being use as designed and has not been damaged or modified there is no need for additional testing.    

Originally Posted by: johnmurray

They all leak. The only variation is the degree of leakage. The vast majority of leakage will be from the doorseal. Since the instructions included on purchase mention keeping them clean, I suggest that is done! While I have great regard for Pauls professionalism, I do not consider leakage would lead to death....touching the power supply to the cavity magnetron certainly would... Oh well..

John,

We'll not fall out over that, but, think of it as lethal as asbestos, then tell me that it won't kill, because it is of the same ilk.

The main difference being the exposure is cumulative, it may do you no harm, it may give you cancer.

The fact is the radiation emitted is dangerous to health and can kill over the longer term.

However, yes the magnetron supply is a LOT more lethal, I did have to say no to my son keeping the step up Tx from our old microwave!!!

The issue is mainly the door seal, damage and contamination, how would one know if it is compromised or damaged if it is not I&T's by a competent person.

Agreed?

Reading this I worry about the millions of mmicrowaves out in the domestic environment. Who checks and looks after these?

Chris

Originally Posted by: chris.packham

Reading this I worry about the millions of mmicrowaves out in the domestic environment. Who checks and looks after these?

Chris

They're not that bad Chris, they're designed to be proof against most things; except total morons.

The average domestic microwave oven user is many hundreds of times more likely to be made ill by inadequate cooking of the food than by microwave radiation (non-ionising radiation)

You willingly hold your mobile phone against your head (900/1800/2100 Mhz), even though that exposes you to a greater intensity of radiation than the undamaged, correctly-operated, domestic microwave (2450Mhz)

You can't beat the inverse square law:

"The inverse-square law, in physics, is a physical law stating that a specified physical quantity or intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of that physical quantity"

You couldn't. Not cheaply anyway.

The cheap "testers" available are incredibly rubbish.

Seriously, they react to any EM emision at all...

Noticed the Daily Wail says that putting your mobile phone in your microwave and ringing it will reveal any leaks.

Good luck with that. as I said, they all leak. The only variation is the amount.