Sam said:
But beware:
WARNING: Microwave ovens are the most dangerous consumer appliance to
service due to the up to 5,000 V at high current inside. Even with the
power off, there is a HV capacitor that can produce quite a kick. This
capacitor must be discharged before touching anything in the microwave
generator circuitry.
This is really true. Usually, the voltage is around 2-3kV, but with
*huge* current, in the area of 1A. Remember that 30mA is rated deadly. I
don't think the cap is lethal to anyone with a good health and no hearth
illness.. Sometimes there is a resistor over the cap to discharge it
slowly. Use a resistor. Don't even think about shorting it with your
screwdriver. I've always used a insulated screwdriver with a cord and
800kOhm resistor to discharge caps, and this has worked fine.
Don't even think about tackling it yourself unless you have the appropriate
background and have thorougly studied the Microwave Repair FAQ at the site
below as well as the info at:
http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/, or a book on
microwave oven repair. There is one by Homer L. Davidson that may be
available at your public library.
Most microwaves I've seen, has had the layout on a paper sticked to the
cover, so I really have got no problem wondering what the different
wires are and so on
So in that way, they're better than i.e amps
Oh, and don't even think about running your micro without the cover. It
creates disasters, and is indeed lethal. I only fried my mobile phone,
not my life when I forgot the cover...