Are all microwave diodes the same?
Not all diodes will work with every microwave oven model. Fortunately, Repair Clinic makes it easy to find the exact diode you need. Start by entering the full model number of your microwave in the Repair Clinic website search bar.
Will a microwave work without a diode?
The microwave’s diode converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), which doubles the voltage and powers the magnetron that heats the food. Without the diode, the magnetron would not receive enough voltage to do its job.
How much does a microwave diode cost?
Microwave Diode Cost Microwave diodes cost $5 to $25, plus $50 to $100 to replace it. If you have to replace the magnetron, a new diode may come as part of the package.
How do you know if a diode is bad?
A diode is reverse-biased when the positive (red) test lead is on the cathode and the negative (black) test lead is on the anode. The reverse-biased resistance of a good diode displays OL on a multimeter. The diode is bad if readings are the same in both directions.
What is high voltage diode?
A high voltage Zener diode is a special type of PN junction diode that is designed to operate in reverse bias (by applying a higher voltage to the N material that to the P material). The Zener diode acts as a normal rectifier until the applied voltage reaches a certain value (the Zener voltage or avalanche voltage).
How do I test a microwave diode?
Set your ohmmeter to R x 10,000 or higher. Touch the positive meter probe to the anode and the negative meter probe to the cathode to measure the resistance across the diode terminals. Remember that the cathode is on the side that goes to the ground, which is often marked by a dot, stripe, or an arrow.
How much does it cost to replace a diode in a microwave?
Is it worth replacing a magnetron in a microwave?
No matter how new your microwave or if there’s only one problem, if the magnetron is out then you might as well replace the entire appliance. The magnetron is the heart of a microwave that actually makes the micro-waves. Replacing it is about equal to the cost of buying a whole new microwave, sometimes even greater.