The truth after the microwave leak test by mobile phone

For a long time, microwave ovens were a very useful kitchen tool. However, quite a lot of rumors and concerns related to leakage of radiation waves from the microwave oven.

Recently on the internet or TV, it was reported that when you put the phone in the microwave (turned off) and call. If your phone rings, it means the microwave has leaked and can be dangerous.

So is the truth like that?

Microwaves are ultra-high frequency transmitters, operating at frequencies around 2.45GHz. Electromagnetic waves cause the water molecules in food to heat up.

In order to ensure that this electromagnetic wave only affects food in the oven, it was designed as a Faraday cage. The screen covering the glass door connected to the metal body creates a protective layer, shielding the electromagnetic waves scattered around.

Meanwhile, your mobile phone operates at a lower frequency, at 1.9GHz or 0.85GHz for CDMA networks. Therefore, the microwave shield is not designed to prevent mobile waves.

In addition, Wifi operates at the same frequency of microwave, about 2.4GHz.Testing microwave with Wifi is more reasonable than normal mobile signal.

But the capacity of Wifi transmitters is very small, if you sit by the Wi-Fi device for the whole year, it is only equivalent to calling for 20 minutes continuously.

When you put your phone in the microwave, if you turn on Wifi and make calls over the internet, for example, Zalo, Viber software, it is still possible that your phone rings. But no need to worry, the microwave does not completely shield the electromagnetic radiation.
During the manufacturing process, depending on the regulations of each country and the manufacturer, the microwave is allowed to leak a small amount of electromagnetic radiation.

Of course, leakage is low and ensures safety for users. For example, in the United States, the maximum radiation leakage is 1mW / cm2 for new microwave ovens and does not exceed 5mW / cm2 for old ovens.

If you have a dedicated electromagnetic radiation meter, put it in front of the microwave and measure. If the result is up to 20mW, don't worry too much. Air traffic control station at the airport emits radiation up to 100mW.

Thus, checking the microwave leak by phone is not reliable and don't worry too much when your phone rings in the microwave.

However, to ensure safety, users of medical devices such as pacemakers should not stand near the microwave to avoid interference from the control. Also, do not put any metal in the microwave oven in operation to extend the life of the microwave oven.