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Answer to Question #1489 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Microwaves, Radar, and Radiofrequency — Microwaves and Radiofrequency The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
What intensity levels of radiation does a microwave produce? The different settings on a microwave, from low to high, must produce different intensities of radiation. What are they?
A
The microwave radiation intensity inside an oven depends on the rated power of the oven, typically 500 to 1200 watts. When the oven is ON, on the high setting, the entire rated power is delivered to objects in the oven. This power is sufficient to cause rapid heating of objects placed inside the oven. At lower settings the power delivered is less. For more information on how a microwave oven works you might try the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) feature on the microwave oven section of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site. Interlocks on the oven door are intended to prevent hazardous exposure of persons to the high intensity microwave radiation within the oven. These interlocks are required by regulations under the U.S. FDA (see Web site referenced above). Those same regulations also limit the intensity of microwave radiation which may appear outside the oven.
Gary Zeman, ScD, CHP Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Answer posted on 3 January 2002. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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