A microwave is an electric oven that many of us use to warm up food. It exposes the food to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave RF (Radiofrequency) range. The microwave uses non-ionizing radiation at a frequency near the range of our cell phones. We all know that electromagnetic radiation can be dangerous to our health.
So how does the microwave work without causing harm to our health while we are watching how our leftovers re-heat? Is a microwave a Faraday cage? How does it produce heat with electromagnetic radiation? Does the microwave oven spread harmful radiation in our home?
Lots of questions and many more in common as you search deeper. For all of you curious and concerned, or maybe just want to know more about radiation safety, read the article below. I hope you will get the answers to many of your questions about Microwave radiation.
Is a Microwave a Faraday Cage?
A microwave works with non-ionizing microwave radiation frequency by causing water in the food to absorb the energy. When the water molecules absorb the energy, they start to hit each other and produce kinetic energy out as heat. The microwave oven works on high power levels, but it has shields to prevent radiation leaks outside the oven.
Because of the shielding system that a microwave has, there are lots of questions about microwave repurposing.
What Is a Microwave Oven?
A microwave oven is a cooking appliance that turns electricity into electromagnetic waves. The microwaves stimulate the water molecules in food and make them hit each other to produce the energy into heat. Microwave ovens produce non-ionizing radiation similar to the level of radiation produced by cell phones.
The microwave ovens are designed to prevent radiation from escaping outside the microwave. The microwave’s Faraday cage is designed from multiple aluminum layers that block the incoming and outcoming radiation frequencies. The microwave oven emits low EMF, but it lowers as you get distanced from the oven.
Electromagnetic Pulses and Faraday Cages
Electromagnetic pulses may occur naturally, with lightning or through a human-made source like a nuclear or radiofrequency weapon. It is good to know what exactly an EMP is to prepare yourself for defense against it. EMP is a powerful energy that can knock out electrical power.
Almost every electrical appliance in our homes emits EMFs, but most people’s exposure to EMF is very low. Refrigerators, microwaves, and washing machines may emit higher levels of EMF, but the radiation drops as you move away from those appliances.
Electric fields may vary because all of them use a different amount of voltage. The higher the voltage used for supplying, the stronger the electric field. The magnetic field strength does not depend on the device’s size or power. The magnetic field may vary even on similar products.
The Faraday cage is made to reduce noise. All the noise with an electromagnetic component that exists outside the cage does not affect the space in the cage. And any noise created in the cage is not allowed to flow outside the cage, which keeps us safe near the microwave oven.
What Is Faraday Cage, and Can It Protect Against EMP’s?
A Faraday cage is a popular method for protecting electronic equipment from an EMP event. It is a protective container made with an aluminum conductive outer layer. The EMP may cause a powerful enough voltage spike to fry all electronic devices like computers, cell phones, appliances, and radios. The Faraday cage contains a conductive material that can cancel the incoming electric field.
How Does It Work?
The microwave oven is designed to protect at 2.45GHz wavelength. If the microwave oven did not act as a Faraday cage, its energy would fry your eyes while you watch your leftovers re-heat. If you look closer to the microwave window, you will notice small holes placed in the metal screen that allow you to view inside.
Since you know the answer to “Is a microwave a Faraday cage?” is a yes, you can now acknowledge and understand how a microwave can retain the energy it generates. It does the same to keep anything inside of it safe from the energy dispersed in an electromagnetic pulse. The microwave cord can also act as a ground that helps discharge any energy in case of an EMP event. You can also buy an old microwave oven and use it as a Faraday cage.
Homemade Faraday Cages for Large and Small Devices
For protecting your larger devices like computers, TVs, and appliances, you can simply line a closed with a heavy-duty aluminum foil. Pay attention to how the foil is placed around the door frame to provide a continuous shield.
For smaller devices, you can simply use a shoebox and line it with a heavy-duty aluminum foil. The shoe box will work as a Faraday cage, and it will protect all the stuff inside the cage. Alternatively, you may wrap the devices in several layers of aluminum foil, which can also be effective for protection.
Final Words
Is a Microwave a Faraday cage? We can surely answer this question with a YES. The Faraday cage keeps the electronic appliances from unwanted EMF events, which means it blocks the incoming and outgoing signals from the cage. The microwave oven is designed to produce radio frequencies to heat the food without allowing them to flow outside the oven.
An old microwave oven can be used as a Faraday cage in case of natural occurring EMF events or man-made nuclear weapons. A high EMF may cause a dangerous voltage spike that can be strong enough to fry all of your electrical devices like cell phones, computers, TVs, and home appliances.
